Lyrics--important or not?

Most people I know prefer a vocal with the music they listen to--instrumentals normally aren't all that popular. But I've often wondered how important are the lyrics to the songs people love?

Think about it--could you sit down and write out the lyrics to your favorite tune? Really, I mean--not guessing at some words. And, really, what is your favorite tune about, anyways?

I know I can't do that. Hell, there are a ton of songs out there I just love and I have no earthly idea what they are about or even what most of the lyrics are. I just dig the tune, and the vocal, the musical tension and drama that develops along the course of a really good tune. Often I can't understand the vocal, but it still helps. And don't even ask me what a song is about--nine times out of ten I have no idea, even if I do know the lyrics, unless it's one of those "I'll love you forever" things that I don't usually go for.

Still, I obsess over the lyrics to my own tunes. I try to make them interesting in some way--I'm listening to "Inside" now and I'm pretty proud of those words, and how the song in general turned out. But I spent a lot of time on those lyrics.

But, if someone else had recorded that song, I don't think I would care what the lyrics are.I think it's dark, powerful, with a throbbing, driving beat that I love, and the lyrics would be academic. Sure, since I wrote it I know what it's about--but I wouldn't if someone else had.

What do you think? How important are the lyrics of a song to you?