Ever wonder how singers remember lyrics?

[mmntech]

Well, Mick wrote most of those songs so that helps. Plus they've been performing some of them continuously for 50 years.

Like all bands though, they rehearse their set before the gig.

 

[CPA]

Don't turn around, because you're going to see my heart breaking
Don't turn around, I don't want you seeing me cryyyyyyy
Just walk away, it's tearing me apart that you're leaving
I'm letting you gooooo ... but I won't. let. you. know!

Okay, I was singing this instead:

Don't turn around, uh huh huh
The commissar's in town, uh uh uh

 

[Ns1]

Like all bands though, they rehearse their set before the gig.

not all bands.

 

[CoPhotoGuy]

Not that surprising. I know the lyrics to tons of songs. I can also follow along with the actual music itself.

 

[GeekDrew]

lol at you "I remember 400 song lyrics no problem" folk.

get the fuck out, you'd crash and burn round 1 of "don't forget the lyrics"

I'd challenge that, if there were actually some way to do so, but I'm not aware of any.

 

[MrPickins]

Because remembering songs with lyrics is easier than remembering words. It's just how your brain is wired.

Setting complex things to music to remember them is a common study/memorization tactic. Somebody, somewhere, probably has the periodic table set to some pop jingle. And that's okay.

Hell, I still remember the fingering for saxophone solos and I haven't played in 20 years. 😛

 

[Ns1]

Hell, I still remember the fingering for saxophone solos and I haven't played in 20 years. 😛

but do you know "Careless Whisper"?

 

[MongGrel]

They probably don't. Watch singers do requests and they'll sometimes admit they just don't remember the words or music to that song. Helps that you spend days/weeks/months writing and rehearsing it just to record the album, then rehearsing for the tour/performance again.

This.

Some people differ, I never sang so I never really memorized lyrics, even if I know many.

Was more like memorizing the drum breaks and little things myself, had a few bands I had messed around with long ago I had people call up to show their newer drummer some little tricks on some songs they liked at certain points.

 

[who?]

How do you remember long passwords after you've used them a few times?

 

[Printer Bandit]

memorize eminem's rap god.

 

[lxskllr]

How do you remember long passwords after you've used them a few times?

KeePassX

 

[disappoint]

Your mind's ability to store information would put any computer to shame. The difference is that the computer has access to all that information quickly, our minds only have a problem sometimes recalling the information, but not storing it.

There is information stored in your own mind you don't even know about, which is pretty funny considering it's your own mind.

 

[Safeway]

lol at you "I remember 400 song lyrics no problem" folk.

get the fuck out, you'd crash and burn round 1 of "don't forget the lyrics"

No, you get the fuck out with your bad memory and shit.

 

[spacelord]

I'm pretty sure Ozzy has the lyrics on a monitor near the ground. Not all that surprising, except you would think that most anyone could remember the lyrics to a 40 year old song like Paranoid. kids.. don't do drugs.

 

[John Connor]

It has always boggled my mind how singers can memorize huge music catalogs.
While many of their songs may be their own lyrics, it still amazes me.

How does someone like Mick Jager (huge catalog) remember the lyrics to over 400 songs? (not including the tons of other songs that aren't even by the Stones)

I have seen a few live performances where the singer confuses verses, so I guess they aren't perfect.

Rehearsal I suppose...

I saw Elton John a while back and he had a teleprompter. Not sure he used it and maybe it was for backup singers or something. I just thought it was interesting.

Top Secret Google Glass contacts.

 

[tnt118]

Because remembering songs with lyrics is easier than remembering words. It's just how your brain is wired.

Setting complex things to music to remember them is a common study/memorization tactic. Somebody, somewhere, probably has the periodic table set to some pop jingle. And that's okay.

I give you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSvJ9SN8THE

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x88Z5txBc7w

I'll add that when I was younger and did a lot of music-related stuff, memorization came very naturally to me. I think that's a skill just like any other.

 

[rh71]

just need to rehearse the setlist.

 

[Leyawiin]

The length isn't especially unusual either. Many songs are 7+ minutes, and have little repetition.

Most aren't. A monkey could write most of today's pop songs on the back of a matchbook with room left over.

 

[Pacfanweb]

I'm pretty sure Ozzy has the lyrics on a monitor near the ground. Not all that surprising, except you would think that most anyone could remember the lyrics to a 40 year old song like Paranoid. kids.. don't do drugs.

Yeah, but Ozzy is a mindless idiot. Did so many drugs that he's now incontinent, and pisses himself when he sings. That's why he has water buckets on stage and pours them over his head...so he's wet and people can't see that he pissed himself.

So no wonder he can't remember lyrics.

 

[feralkid]

Most aren't. A monkey could write most of today's pop songs on the back of a matchbook with room left over.

 

[Spydermag68]

I saw an interview with RUSH and they rehearse for at least a month before the band comes together and starts rehearsals together.. Alex said they sound like a bad RUSH tribute band the first few days.

 

[blackdogdeek]

Most aren't. A monkey could write most of today's pop songs on the back of a matchbook with room left over.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I dunno, when I listen to a song multiple times, I tend to know every note, solo, riff, etc that will be played, but lyrics I never remember.

 

[Ns1]

lol

 

[gorcorps]

because most song lyrics anymore seem to be mostly"yeah", "uh-huh", and "baby"