What is for most of you most important in a song?

usually it's the melody first... although once in a while a song's lyrics will grow on me and then I'll fall in love with the melody... it all depends.  One REALLY important thing for me however, is the song being within my range.  If I can't sing along, I tend to not listen to a song so much

Melody always strikes the chord with me first.

This usually makes me listen to the lyrics to get the full picture
From the first time i heard this song it made me cry, Still does to this day. I have no clue as to why it always affects me this way. Touches something deep inside somewhere.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjjfMmhOBrY

Old Doll.

I believe that with most musicians, the melody offers us the first appeal. I can remember chords to songs I played in my teens - but the lyrics are long gone.

Oh ok you meant music vs. words, see I was going to say INTRO because if a song turns me off within the first 3 seconds I'll probably never listen to it again.
But I'd have to say melody is more important, simply because its what makes it a song at all. You can have poetry with music or without it, but you can't have a song without music.
That said, meaningful thought provoking lyrics is a big deal for me, but I feel their goodness only makes them deserve a great melody to back them up even more.

Hard to say. 

I like singer-songwriter stuff because the lyrics attract me.  That said, the melody could readily repel me.  On the other hand, a good melody with idiotic or cliche-ridden lyrics can repel me too. 

Gun to head and forced to give a single answer, I'd say lyrics.  But that's a generalized answer that may or may not apply to any given song in particular. 

- Zurf

I agree with Zurf. I think it depends on the song. Generally I would say that, like most,, the melody to a song will catch me. However when you look at songs like Blower's Daughter by Damian Rice there's not much melody in the opening section but the lyrics are very engaging and draw you in. That's one of my favourite songs ever and appears to be contrary to my general rule.

Good topic!!

hi all lyrics come first with me although i'm thinking of the melody whilst i'm writing,the song content usually gives me the feel of a song the melody just enhances the songs story although i could listen to arks compositions all day cause his music tells the story,well thats just contradicted what i've just said,anyway its lyrics for me.....stay cool

I would like to say Lyrics because it song has some meaning than it would be good to listening and feeling. I mostly prefer lyrics than melody. Somtime i like melody for particular song because it makes my mind fresh.

Words and music, words and music. Thats what Eddy Wilson always said. I believe he was right!

Wow, what a nice thread!  A lot of good comments.  I have to say lyrics hook me on a lot of songs, but there's definitely others that I have no idea what the songs about.  Immigration Man by Led Zep, or Barracuda by Heart...pure music attraction.  But the lyrics in American Pie by Don McLean or Diamonds and Rust by Joan Baez are awesome.

Every great song has a "HOOK" that just grabs hold of you and never lets go. These songs are based on something heard, said, lived, felt or experienced by the song writer. You know and feel whats being said when you hear those words and you just can't keep from repeating them. To me thats what most important.

Nela