[8bitsrule]

I recall as a kid that I might hear a pop song on the radio for years without even -noticing- the lyrics (or the artist for that matter). It seems that, while I hear it all, what I'm listening to - is what I'm most attracted to. (I usually did listen to the funny lyrics of novelty singles - often backed by pretty silly music.)

I suspect that, for most of us, unless we get consciously involved, what we're most attracted to is the most pleasing or exciting or interesting 'channel'. (In the case of pop music, maybe we're more enchanted by the singer - or the 'message' - and the music be damned.)

In much non-vocal, 'purely' orchestral music, the melody is the attention getter, and all the other notes might be treated as 'just the support group'. Some conductors work hard to bring out the best parts of that support. (A lot of weaker melodies are strongly dependent on how they're harmonized.)