It's in the Lyrics

I'm often critical of lyrics, and believe that bad lyrics are a perfectly good reason for rejecting a song and the integrity of an artist. Let me present a couple of examples:

Exhibit I: Justin Bieber "Baby"

And I was like baby, baby, baby, oh

Like baby, baby, baby, noLike baby, baby, baby, ohI thought you'd always be mine, mine

Baby, baby, baby, oh

Like baby, baby, baby, noLike baby, baby, baby, ohI thought you'd always be mine, mine

Exhibit II: Britney Spears "Til the World Ends"

Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh oh-oh

Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh oh-oh-oh

Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh oh-oh

Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh oh-oh-oh

See the sunlight, we ain't stoppin'
Keep on dancing till the world ends
If you feel it, let it happen
Keep on dancing till the world ends
Keep on dancing till the world ends
Keep on dancing till the world ends

See the sunlight, we ain't stoppin'
Keep on dancing till the world ends
If you feel it, let it happen
Keep on dancing till the world ends
Keep on dancing till the world ends
Keep on dancing till the world ends

Exhibit III: Psy "Gangnam Style"

Oppan Gangnam Style
Gangnam Style
Op op op op oppan Gangnam Style
Gangnam Style
Op op op op oppan Gangnam Style

Eh, sexy lady
Op op op op oppan Gangnam Style
Eh, sexy lady
Op op op op
Eh eh eh eh eh eh

Unimaginative, shallow lyrics ruin it for me. How do we sing along without realizing how ridiculous and empty every word sounds as it falls from our tongues? Now, I have been accused of ulterior motives for appreciating Shakira's music. But you have to admit, her lyrics are poetry (especially previous to her sell-out to the U.S. audience).

Exhibit I: Shakira "Moscas en la casa" (translated) 

My days without you are like a sky, 
without silvery moons, 
nor traces of the sun.
My days without you are only an echo
that always repeats
the same song. 

So short of air, 
so filled with nothing.
Useless junk, 
trash on the floor, 
flies in the house. 

Exhibit II: Shakira "Pies descalzos"

You built an exact world

of such perfect finishes

Every little thing calculated

in its own little space and time.

And I'm such a complete mess

the entrances and exits

the names and measurements

can't fit into my brain.

And now you're here

wanting to be happy

when you didn't care in the least

about your destiny.

You belonged to an ancient race

of bare feet and white dreams.
You were dust, dust you are.
Think, because iron 
hat remains under heat is weak.

And I believe the same of the lyrics from this sibling duo from Mexico, Jesse & Joy. 

Lyrics translated here.

Lyrics translated here.