Is it permissible to listen to a song devoid of music if removing the music requires initially listening to it?

Not all singing devoid of musical instruments is permissible. The default ruling is the prohibition of listening to musical instruments. It is not permissible to strip a song of its music to make it permissible, because that is not a benefit that would allow what Allah has forbidden. However, if a song becomes free of musical instruments and fulfills the other conditions that permit singing devoid of musical instruments, then listening to it is permissible at that point.