I am influenced by both the lyrics and the instrumentals. When they flow together they create songs that live on .

I think that the lyrics are far more influential to me than the instrumental music. I really love a song that has lyrics that had a lot of thought put into them.

I used to have an aversion to all rap and hip hop, but I've changed my tune (rimshot) over the last couple of years. I still don't like the violent, so called gansta rap, but I've started listening more stuff a chance before I automatically turn it off. It occurred to me while listening to Black Eyed Peas. Some of their stuff is actually pretty social/political and some of it is just for fun. I heard myself saying "oh geesh, they are just making up words as they go...........wait a minute.........." Anyone ever heard of a little style of jazz called scat? It was this little moment of serendipity that changed my outlook.

Nothing will ever make them good!

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Ideals die out but the diehard remain.

Really? You don't like them at all? I do. I especially like some of the songs with guests. They do a beautiful song with Sting. There's a cool parody of the humpy song on youtube by Alanis Morisette that I highly recommend for a really good laugh.

I ahve not been able to find that do you have a link?

It is here:
YouTube - Alanis Morissette "My Humps" video
Youtube is also where I check out all the Dallas Green songs

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I have never been a real big fan of rap music. Just not for me. I would have to say that it is the lyrics that grab me first. One of my all time favorite bands is Led Zeppelin for that reason alone.

I am a lover of nearly all types of music. Nearly all. I love Antonin Dvorak. I really dig Thomas Newman. I also like Dallas Green and I like Nine Inch Nails. I like Stone Temple Pilots and Iron & Wine. I like Johnny Cash and Spinal Tap. I like Busta Rhymes and Willie Nelson. It covers a wide spectrum, I suppose.

That's a great wide range of music. I'm a bit like that, but right now I love the legendary stardust cowboy