[AllanS]

I definitely come down on the side of music first.  It’s not that lyrics don’t matter, but it’s only after repeated listening that the lyrics start to sink in. What I found particularly interesting is people can hear the simplest of things very differently.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/are-you-a-lyric-person-or-a-music-person/id1554578197?i=1000776563362

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Music first.

[FullRangeMan]

Always liked the music components, melody, harmony, rhythm and timbre.
In music theory it form the foundation of a song.

What has always impressed me about Edgar Froese solo music and in Tangerine Dream was the extraordinary quality of the melodic and rhythmic elements, always in perfect balance.

On lyrics the Pinkfloyd’s philosophical style are always an example of literary refinement and a superior intelect, a musical work that transforms metal bands into excrement.

[Early B.]

Everyone is music first. You don't need lyrics to appreciate many genres of music. If there are lyrics and you don't like the music, you're probably not gonna remember the lyrics. How many times have you heard someone say, "I enjoy listening to the lyrics, but I don't like the music." Not ever. Hip-hop is a good example of music first. Old-school rappers sampled popular beats and ran their lyrics over them. No one listens to rappers with whack tracks.         

[Mag]

   Music first, but I recognize some bands use the vocals as an extra instrument.
When I listen to Japanese Metal, I don't know what they're signing about. When done right it doesn't matter the vocals fit the song.
Led Zeppelin in Song Remains the Same is using his voice in such a way as an extra instrument.

A lot of music I listen too is Instrumental. Tangerine Dream for example creates a visionscape in my mind. Like some songs for some reason I imagine a cowboy riding in proud on a horse.

[mresseguie]

I have always been a music first listener. However, I had a buddy back in ‘78 to ~’86 who had an uncanny ability to memorize the lyrics after just a couple listens.

[Jeff_From_Michigan]

Music first for jazz, classical, hard rock and songs in languages that I don't speak.

Lyrics first for folk, country and blues. 

It's interesting that when I hear lyrics for the first time on a jazz standard that I have loved for years in its original music-only form, it often changes my appreciation of that tune (now a song, I guess) - and not always for the better. 

[S Clark]

To quote Duke, "It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing".  The lyrics can be Do wa Do wa Do wa.... if the melody is catchy. 
But there are songs where the lyrics haunt you.  Joe Cocker's  "You are so Beautiful" always make me stop and listen to that simply message.  Or the personal introspection of Joni Mitchel's "River".  So it just depends on the song.

[Don_S]

I am definitely a word person. My favorite songs tell a story. They start somewhere and end somewhere else. Or circle back around to the beginning.

My favorite story song is Joni Mitchell's "Urge for Going".

[FullRangeMan]

I am definitely a word person. My favorite songs tell a story. They start somewhere and end somewhere else. Or circle back around to the beginning.

My favorite story song is Joni Mitchell's "Urge for Going".

Do you like country, indie, rap or pop?

[brooklyn]

For many years it was always music first and I rarely paid any attention to the lyrics..
For the last 10 or 15 years, many times the lyrics seem to jump out at me over the music.
I'm not sure what to make of that but something changed.

[Jeff_From_Michigan]

Yes, Joni is a perfect example of lyrical beauty. But she also had musicians behind her with the chops to make the music stand out.

Dylan is another "Exhibit A" lyrics-first artist (to me).

Slayer would be on the opposite end. I love their sound, but I can't get past the disgusting lyrics.

When I listen to bluegrass, all I care about is the playing - regardless of whether or not the tune has lyrics.

So I guess that makes me both a lyric person and a music person, and I love it when an artist or band puts it all together.

[Tyson]

I like listening to songs in other languages that I don’t understand.

[Jeff_From_Michigan]

I like listening to songs in other languages that I don’t understand.

So I'm not the only one... I was just listening to Chancha Via Circuito and really enjoying it, despite having no idea what they were saying!

[Early B.]

I like listening to songs in other languages that I don’t understand.

I'm just the opposite -- 99% of the time, if the song is in another language, it's unlistenable. Same with movies. Actually, some English accents, too -- no British, Scottish, or Irish movies for me.

Just another example of how we experience music (and movies) in different ways and the weird preferences all of us have...     

[glynnw]

lyrics all the way

[mr_bill]

Music first, but I do remember lyrics, just not all of the time

[rockadanny]

Music first. I do enjoy lyrics if they are well done (rare), but not necessary for me. I will ban a song if the lyrics are just too filthy/nasty, too sophomoric, especially ones politically driven, or insulting, or irritatingly repetitive.

[Phil_S]

MUSIC!

Otherwise I would NEVER listen to Wagner.

[Tyson]

MUSIC!

Otherwise I would NEVER listen to Wagner.

That's funny!  I feel the same way.  I finally got around to watching The Ring and oh man the plot was so dumb.  But the music?  Glorious.