Well I'm not entirely sure myself, sometimes its wicked, but it can also seem like a pretty lame way of making lyrics sound aggressive. Do you think its just a lyrical refuge for the inarticulate, or do you think that the primal exclamations of distaste say more than normal words ever can?

I think it's pretty shit when swearing is in a song, but then again Limp Bizkits 'Hotdog' is the greatest song of all time, so I don't know.

There should be another option on this. If it isnt needed, and swearing is used for the sake of swearing, theres no point. But swearing can be used right in songs.

I think it depends on the genre and the way the words are used. I prefer music with 'meaningful' lyrics and usually swearing suggests that the band just want to be macho 'big boys' in the words of JB.

The best use of swearing I can think of off the top of my head is Death's 'Left to Die'.


'This is your last day, on this, FUCKING EAAAAAAAAAAAAARTHHHHHH'

I've fucked this,I've fucked that,I've even fucked a schoolgirls twat.So what.

As with swear words generally, if you overuse them they lose their effect; case in point Limp Biscuit's third album. They can be cool once is a while but only really if it comes from someone you wouldn't really expect. James Taylor or Michael Stipe for example.

All-in-all, I say no to swearing in songs but then, if you listen to me speak, every third word I use is a swear word so maybe I'm being silly.

Children of Bodom spring to mind motherfuckers!

\m/Steve\m/ wrote:Children of Bodom spring to mind motherfuckers!

In what way?

It totally depends. I know from a personal perspective, I will often right lyrics with swear words in to convey a particular level of disgust or anger but it is by no means a pre-requisite for a song. Some lyrics I right and they're direct and to the point hence swearing, some not and in these cases the lyrics are far more articulate. Likewise, bands that I particularly enjoy have no reliance on cursing - Napalm Death sometimes swear as do Dick (subhumans) and Biafra (DKs) in their lyrics. Rage too. They had no problem swearing but tracks like Bombtrack, Freedom and Testify are free of swearing.

As long as its not overused like what Machine Head, Lamb of God, Devildriver do... yknow the sort..

"MACHINE FUCKING HEAD FUCKING GONNA FUCK YOU FUCKING UP FUCK! FUCK!!!! DIMEBAG'S FUCKING DEAD FUCKING ELL!"

Yeah I agree with most, when it's not overused and used to good effect it works, but swearing for the sake of trying to be cool is really uncool. Like "Starting up a posse" by Anthrax, that anoys me cause they're having a go at people for not liking swearing by swearing in their face and saying that people should repect the fact that they like swearing although they clearly don't respect the fact that certian people don't like swearing.

Just don't over-do it.

Stevedot2 wrote:Yeah I agree with most, when it's not overused and used to good effect it works, but swearing for the sake of trying to be cool is really uncool. Like "Starting up a posse" by Anthrax, that anoys me cause they're having a go at people for not liking swearing by swearing in their face and saying that people should repect the fact that they like swearing although they clearly don't respect the fact that certian people don't like swearing.

Just don't over-do it.

Oh I think that song's pretty tongue in cheek and quite hilarious.

If you swear too much in songs you just end up sounding like some cunty nu-metal band. Not good. I only tend to use swearing in songs that I'd actually use, such as 'twat'. I've never said 'mother-fucker' and the like in my life.

depends on the song. it does put me off when a band is all fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck tho. it's like they're stealing my word!!

MartinC wrote:If you swear too much in songs you just end up sounding like some cunty nu-metal band. Not good. I only tend to use swearing in songs that I'd actually use, such as 'twat'. I've never said 'mother-fucker' and the like in my life.

No one from the north of England should ever say 'mother-fucker'.

Metal Iain wrote:

MartinC wrote:If you swear too much in songs you just end up sounding like some cunty nu-metal band. Not good. I only tend to use swearing in songs that I'd actually use, such as 'twat'. I've never said 'mother-fucker' and the like in my life.

No one from the north of England should ever say 'mother-fucker'.

I can't think of many swear words I don't use, but that is definitely one of them. I use 'cunt' almost every day, because there are a lot of cunts in my life, but other than that I've done a 180 degree turn and reverted back to the primary school favourites, such as 'fanny'. Nothing funnier than calling someone a fanny.