Is there a difference between singers and instrumentalists ?

I've read somewhere that John Coltrane always read the lyrics (when available) of a tune before playing it. I was surprised because I thought it was kind of obvious.

Of course I'm biased because, as a singer, I *need* to know the lyrics. And when I really want to sing a song (not just put some sounds in the air), I need also to find in myself the feeling that goes with the lyrics.

Now, I'm asking all instrumentalists around : do you care about lyrics ? Do you read them ? Do you think of them when you play the tune ?


(sure.... I can ask this because since nobody ever reads my pages, it's unlikely that I'll get any answer, but at least I'll have asked)