...My thoughts on music.
Music has been a part of my life since before I can remember. Literally. In the Journal my mother kept for me it says that I would sing songs my sisters taught me and people would give me quarters. I don't remember that personally, but I'm sure it's true.
I'm not nearly as keen on performing as I used to be. Music is much more personal now. I like singing in choirs. I don't mind singing solos. But I'm not a huge fan of being the center of attention, so I don't go out of my way to sing by myself in front of tons of people.
See, music is a fundamental part of myself. I discover who I am through music I listen to. I honestly don't know how many different songs I've listened to that have caused me to start sobbing as I finally unlock a part of myself that I just didn't understand or like.
I worship through music. The majority of my spiritual experiences have come through music. I wear my emotions on my sleeve anyway, and music just makes the emotions flow that much easier. A friend of mine once told me that he didn't believe me when I said I wasn't religious. He could feel my spirituality whenever I sang. And I sing a lot. I usually get self-conscious when I realize someone is paying attention and stop, but that's not the point.
A friend of mine thinks I'm insane because I would much rather lose my eyesight than my hearing. I honestly think I would go insane without music in my life. Without the cathartic release that music provides, I would explode. Possibly not so literally.
As far as my music tastes go, they are varied. I tell people I like a little bit of everybody from Abba to Zamfir. I listen to music in several languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Japanese and German. I honestly think that anybody who looked through my music collection would find something that they like.
A lot of my listening habits depend on my mood. If I'm depressed, I'll listen to something upbeat, like Pink or the All-American Rejects or possibly one of the couple Fall Out Boy songs I have. If I'm pissed off, I'll listen to Limp Bizkit's "Break Stuff." If I'm driving, I have to have music going, whether it's a CD or my iPod or, at last resort, the radio. Every now and again, someone will ask me who my music guilty pleasure is. Well, I don't have one. I like who I like. If you don't approve, well, fuck off.
Anyway, I could go on and on and on about music. I think I might have already. So I'll quit now. Basically, music is essential to me. I love it.
How's that?
Rouge and the Myth of the Southern Belle
3 years ago
6 comments:
Your music tastes are interesting and clearly eclectic.
We're definitely miles apart on choices here, but with regard to French music, if you've not heard Charles Trenet, I highly recommend him. There are many others, of course, from France, however he seems to the singer that's held for me, as well as Edith Piaf.
Thanks for another enlightening "reveal."
well said...music=passion =0)
I'll have to check those two singers out. Thank you!
And yes, music=passion.
So living where I live, I find that it surprising that so many people don't love music as much as those where I grew up.
Well, let me explain, a co-worker commented that although everyone listens to music now. It's much more accessible to all classes of people than it ever has been before, however there are few musicians.
Playing the viola at the level I do is intriguing to my associations. And I'm not even that good! With all of our digital content, and why people stare is because they are not used to and even missing LIVE music! So sing it loud and proud, brother!
Even though we aren't so religious anymore, you know it means something - who lights a candle and puts it under a bushel. Let your light shine before men!
So I fixed it, above post was from me.
Adam: A few things about your blog occur to me:
First, in your bio, you say "I'll be as honest and frank as is humanly possible." As one who spent way too many years in the newspaper business and who makes his living, very basically, by writing, I wouldn't read your blog if it didn't appear "honest and frank." It does and has more than a modicum of viscera to it and it's far more well written than most out there.
Second, if you're "pissed off," try listening to the blues -- if you can't immediately accomodate yourself with Johnson, Terry, Hopkins, et al, try the old Allman Brothers material. "Pony Boy" usually gets me out of just about anything. (If it doesn't I have to pick up my guitar, which I love to play, been doing it for 55 years, yeah, since I was 12, but it hurts to play -- slightly arthritic fingers).
Third, I think music is a "fundamental part" of everyone: You've been lucky enough to realize it and take advantage of it. In my native tongue Mazel Tov: Don't ever let that go.
Fourth, "A friend of mine thinks I'm insane because I would much rather lose my eyesight than my hearing." It's his judgement call and your choice.
Fifth, keep up the good work. Notwithstanding what folks generally think about what I do (they find it "interesting," "challenging," and so forth), I, every now and then, argue with my parents (both of whom I loved dearly and are now dead, we don't "pass" in our family, we "die," wherever they are and express express my disappointment that they were not fabulously wealthy), I look forward to your writing -- it adds to my day. (Mea Culpa, a dreadfully long, complex sentence.
Have a great long weekend.
Post a Comment