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I don't disagree that there are an overwhelming number of stupid lyrics out there, but to put to say they are all dumb, unintelligent, or incapable of presenting a thought or feeling in a valid, expressive, and ultimately succinct way is wrong.
Music is art. Well, some music is art. And art is a way to express thought or feeling. How much you give or take from a particular set of lyrics in a song is dependent on how you view that art. Are you able to identify with the lyrics? Does the message speak to you? Are you moved by what you hear? I understand your statement of "if the lyrics can't stand alone, it's not an intelligent means of expression" and also assume you extend that to the music itself (IE, if the melody can't stand alone, the melody is probably shit), but I would firmly argue that the combination of these two things can expand a piece of music's influence and means of expression.
Would Beethoven's 5th be better with lyrics? No, but he was also a musical savant, and likely felt more comfortable expressing his feelings and thoughts through music rather than words.
To expand upon this, even Beethoven's most expressive pieces of music were succinct works of expression. If you can't describe, relate, or express an emotion in a short period of time, it is likely you don't understand the emotion or thought to begin with. To say that a 5 minute song with lyrics is incapable of expressing thought or emotion better than a piece of writing can is a subjective statement.
Furthermore, to say that lyrics alone cannot do what the written or spoken word can do is a fallacy, as lyrics are spoken words, and almost always written as well. To add upon this, if poetry is a valid or acceptable means (to you) of expression for thought or emotion, your entire argument just imploded because
lyrics are poetry.
To summarize, yes, there are many stupid lyrics. There are some 'artists' who's entire career is built on stupid lyrics. But since lyrics, writing, and instrumental music meant to express or invoke emotion are almost entirely subjective works, it's impossible to say what's 'better' or 'worse' at completing this goal. The combination of melody and lyrics together can enhance a piece of musics overall ability to invoke an emotional response in the listener, or expand upon the songs method of expressing a thought or feeling. Lastly, stating that the written or spoken word is better at accomplishing this goal than a set of lyrics is a cyclical argument, as lyrics are often both written and spoken.
tl;dr? Saying all lyrics are stupid or that written/spoken/instrumental expression of thought or emotion is a 'better' medium, is stupid.
still pretty sure i got trolled, but I'm bored today so I thought i'd play ball
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