Is the song the words or the tune? Or both?
Put another way: if you sing “Amazing Grace” to the tune of “Gilligan’s Island” (go ahead and try it, I’ll wait…), which song are you singing?
Most musicians I know would say you’re singing “Gilligan’s Island” but with different words. I suspect some non-musicians would say they’re singing “Amazing Grace” whatever the tune is.
It doesn’t feel like you’re singing both at once, even though it’s a weird Frankentune.
Singing “Gilligan’s Island” to the tune of “Amazing Grace” has different lyrics and melody to what we did above – is it still both? Both but different?
Does it matter how I ask it?
- Sing “Amazing Grace to the tune of “Gilligan’s Island.”
- Sing “Gilligan’s Island with the words of “Amazing Grace.”
Seems like the way you phrase it makes a difference. And consider “Away In A Manger.” Two different tunes, same text, same title. In that case, it’s the lyrics that define the song, for certain, and then you specify the tune.
What we think of when we think of a song can be completely different. What you’re imagining might not be what I’m imagining. Best to get really clear about what you mean when you refer to a song.