“I think there are plenty of examples of meaningful, well crafted rock lyrics.”
Sure there are, but the vast majority is indeed mediocre to embarassing when forced to stand alone without the music. As I said though, it is RARELY the lyrics that sell the song. With the proper power chord structure, rhythm and syncopation, rock groups could be singing about the ring in their toilet bowl and it would sell.
I used to read a lot of rock criticism until I got tired of having to digest analysis regarding the song’s “message”. I, like the vast majority of rock fans, am in it for the musicianship. Too, I can appreciate a superior vocal performance, I just don’t usually care to pay attention to the lyrics.
You're definitely in the majority there. "Doowahdittyditty dumbdittydumb."