"Cause if you liked it then you should've put a ring on it." Great lyrics?

It's an age old question (ok, maybe not really "age old"): is melody more important than lyrics or vice versa? People constantly debate and argue their opinion on this topic and typically their stance is based on personality type. On one side people argue that lyrics are of greater importance because they give the song meaning and they are what actually affect the listener. Contrary to this is the belief that without a good melody lyrics become pointless. As a songwriter and an avid music critique I personally believe that melody is by far more important than the lyrics accompanying it.

"Cause if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it. If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it. Don't be mad once you see that he want it. If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it." These are the lyrics to the chorus of the first number one song of 2009, "Single Ladies."

"Boom boom boom, gotta get-get. Boom boom boom, gotta get-get. Boom boom boom, gotta get-get. Boom boom boom, gotta get-get." And these are the lyrics to the chorus of the most recent number one song.

Clearly lyrics are incredibly important, right?

Anyone who tries to argue that stance based on the number one songs thus far in 2009 could be considered a lunatic because the lyrics of the hits this year are a joke. However, they are smashes because they have catchy melodies that stick in a person's head and are easy to sing along to and remember. Those same lyrics with a poor melody would be lost in obscurity were it not for the melodic hook. It is not at all uncommon to hear a person humming a song and then find that they do not actually know the lyrics, so for one to say that lyrics are more important than melody just seems a bit naïve.

Keep in mind that I am writing this blog and taking this stance as a songwriter who writes songs to make money.  So when I refer to the importance I am basically referring to the ability of a song to produce financially. Each and every person has his or her own standards as to which they base importance on and I would never say that someone who believes lyrics are more important is wrong. However, I would feel confident in saying that someone who takes that stance is not likely to have a career as a songwriter. So next time you find yourself singing along to something like, "This sh**s bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S," ask if you really think lyrics matter as much as you may have thought.