Where Words Fail Music Speaks

"Where words fail, music speaks" we've all heard this quote and some of us have that tattooed on our wrists or arms to remind us. Yet how do lyrics in songs mean so much? It would be the same if it was poety would it not? isn't that basically what lyrics are just poetry. of course, one may argue that classical music can influence emotions, which can be hard to reach without the music. Even in movies, if we change the background music, the whole scene shifts and feels different evoking different emotions throughout the movie. That I understand that "music speaks louder than words" or "where word fail music speaks".

Let's break down a few songs and lyrics here to show you what I mean. I only want to focus on a few words from songs, so I am making my point across with multiple songs. The first song is Numb Little Bug by Em Beihold:

"I don't feel a single thing

Have the pills done too much?

Haven't caught up with my friends in weeks

And now we're outta touch

I've been drivin' in L.A

And the world, it feels too big"

These lyrics could have been done in poetry and it would still hit the same right? right? Wrong! in actuality music does speak louder than words, why? because we all hear these popular songs and had the artist wrote different music to the lyrics, it would be a completely different song. Yet, when you see it in poetry form, it makes you think about the words themselves, which is what music and songs are about.

"Do you ever get a little bit tired of life?

Like you're not really happy but you don't wanna die

Like you're hangin' by a thread but you gotta survive

'Cause you gotta survive

Like your body's in the room but you're not really there

Like you have empathy inside but you don't really care

Like you're fresh outta love but it's been in the air

Am I past repair?"

This is the song I chose because I have related to it after taking medications for anxiety and depression, I lowered my dosage and I seem to have feelings again, but I wouldn't have given these words a second thought if, it had been poetry because I don't read a lot of poetry in my spare time. This is why songs and lyrics are so important because they send out messages to the world that someone out there can relate to.

The next song is "Hold My Girl" by George Ezra, he wrote this songs because when it comes to being an artist or musician it's hard to keep relationships going because they are away a lot and it creates strain. However, there could be many interpretations of the song, if you focus on these lyrics:

"I've got time, I've got love

Got confidence you'll rise above

Give me a minute to hold my girl

Give me a minute to hold my girl

Crowded town or silent bed

Pick a place to rest your head and

Give me a minute to hold my girl

Give me a minute to hold my girl"

When first listening to the song it could be interpreted that you had a baby girl and barely had time to hold her in your arms before heading back to work, or that maybe his loved one was diagnosed with cancer and is slowly fading and he just needs a minute with her. There are so many directions a song can pull you. Rather than providing one fixed meaning, the song creates space for personal interpretation, showing how the same lyrics can tell a completely different story depending on who is listening. That the magic that music can do, given poetry does the same, but it would not reach the audience as much as a song does.

The next song is "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman, I know there are so many different versions and covers of this song.

"You got a fast car

I want a ticket to anywhere

Maybe we make a deal

Maybe together we can get somewhere

Any place is better

Starting from zero, got nothing to lose

Maybe we'll make somethin'

Me, myself, I got nothing to prove"

These words are so iconic and even after many years after the song being written, we still recognize it when it comes up on the radio or spotify playlist. This was written in 1986 and is still played to this day because music can live on like that, sure maybe Shakespeare is still out there, but poetry tends to die off. The song has remained relevant because its themes are timeless. It tells a story of hope, struggle, escape, and the desire for a better life. Experiences continue to resonate with listeners across generations. While trends in music often come and go, some songs endure because they capture emotions and realities that never disappear. We all have dreamt of an escape.

Three songs that really show that music often speaks louder than words because it has the power to communicate emotions that language alone cannot fully express. Yes, you've seen these words on the page but A song can capture feelings of love, grief, hope, or joy in a way that resonates deeply with listeners, even when they cannot find the words to describe those emotions themselves. Through melody, rhythm, and lyrics, music creates a connection between people that transcends age, culture, and background. While spoken or written words can explain an idea, music allows people to feel it. I have cried over songs and their words, but the emotions felt were from the melody, rhythm. Every time I hear "Fix you" by Coldplay it hits me hard given my past relationship with someone I tried to fix, which then also ties in with "You broke me first" but the version that Connor Maynard sings is how I felt about my past. However, I still feel positive emotions when listening to "Don't stoop me now" by Queen, it's hard to not sing along or start smiling. This emotional impact is why certain songs stay with us for years, becoming tied to memories, experiences, and important moments in our lives. In many ways, music serves as a universal language, capable of expressing what words sometimes fail to say.