I'm a tad bit older than you. I'm 50 so the bands I cut my pick on were not really 'metal' like some of the hair-bands and current crop. I was more into it for the sound than the lyrics. Even today I listen to the music first, lyrics second. The only purpose for lyrics, in my mind, is to allow me to keep my place in the song.
Learning to read music is one of those promises to yourself that just never seems to be kept. I took lessons when I was 10 so I have 'some' knowledge of music, but I prefer to use other methods, I read music soooo poorly.
I have just one thing to say: "Give me 'Mountain,' or give me death."
;-)