Inexplicably liked songs

  • Context: Music 
  • Thread starter Thread starter DennisN
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Discussion Overview

This thread explores the phenomenon of liking songs without understanding the reasons behind that affection. Participants share personal experiences and examples of songs that evoke strong feelings despite being outside their usual preferences or tastes. The discussion touches on psychological aspects of music appreciation and the subconscious influences on musical preferences.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant introduces the idea of liking songs for unknown reasons, suggesting it may reveal subconscious preferences.
  • Another participant shares a specific song, "Rum And Coca-Cola," expressing confusion over their enjoyment despite its cultural distance and perceived lack of quality.
  • A different participant mentions "Amarillo" by Neil Sedaka, noting their affection for the song despite its cuteness and simplistic lyrics, questioning the meaning of the title.
  • Another participant reflects on a song by Dire Straits, admitting to a strong emotional connection without understanding why, hinting at personal memories associated with it.
  • One participant describes merging ambient sounds with a folk song, illustrating how environmental factors can influence musical enjoyment.
  • Several participants express their interpretations of songs, such as Neil Diamond's "I Am...I Said," acknowledging the complexity of understanding song meanings.
  • Some participants question the premise of the thread, stating they typically know why they like songs, and seek clarification on the concept of liking music without understanding the reasons.
  • Another participant attempts to explain their perspective, emphasizing the introspective and dreamlike qualities of certain songs that elicit strong feelings without clear explanations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement and confusion regarding the concept of liking songs without understanding why. Some share personal examples that align with the thread's theme, while others challenge the premise, indicating a lack of understanding of how one could enjoy music without knowing the reasons behind it.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention specific songs and their emotional connections, but the reasons for their preferences remain subjective and personal, highlighting the complexity of musical appreciation.

  • #31
DennisN said:
Sidenote:



I am a bit of a Genesis fan, but I haven't heard all they have done.
(by the way, I LOVE this song by Mike Rutherford: Silent Running)

Are you a big Genesis fan?
If so, which are your five favorite tracks?
In case I've missed some great ones... :smile:
This is my favourite


 
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  • #32
DennisN said:
Sidenote:



I am a bit of a Genesis fan, but I haven't heard all they have done.
(by the way, I LOVE this song by Mike Rutherford: Silent Running)

Are you a big Genesis fan?
If so, which are your five favorite tracks?
In case I've missed some great ones... :smile:
I managed to see them once in 2007, fantastic. Steve Hackett still tours.
 
  • #33
My favourite Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush on backing vocals

 
  • #34
DennisN said:
Sidenote:



I am a bit of a Genesis fan, but I haven't heard all they have done.
(by the way, I LOVE this song by Mike Rutherford: Silent Running)

Are you a big Genesis fan?
If so, which are your five favorite tracks?
In case I've missed some great ones... :smile:
The Album "Duke" is a masterpiece. "Turn it on again" and " Misunderstanding" were the singles but this was my pick.

 
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  • #35
pinball1970 said:
This is my favourite



I have never heard it, it sounds very experimental. A cool song and very, very good drums and percussion. Somehow it reminds me a bit of Pink Floyd (pre-Dark Side of the Moon, perhaps?)
 
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  • #36
pinball1970 said:
My favourite Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush on backing vocals


Gosh, that's an excellent song, I'm saving that one. It hits VERY close to some of my favorite genres. Excellent theme, excellent beat, excellent fills, excellent feeling. Quite spooky/haunting. In fact, the feeling of the fundamental beat and fills are even quite close to the feeling of drums in some of the music I've done. To me it sounds a bit electro, downtempo and "triphoppy".

Excellent, 10/10 from me.
:kiss:

Edit: The simple synthriff that enters at 3:18, so darn cool and effective.
The sound of it, gosh it's good!

Thanks!
 
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  • #37
DennisN said:
Gosh, that's an excellent song, I'm saving that one. It hits VERY close to some of favorite genres. Excellent theme, excellent beat, excellent fills, excellent feeling. Quite spooky/haunting. In fact, the feeling of the fundamental beat and fills are even quite close to the feeling of drums in some of the music I've done. To me it sounds a bit electro, downtempo and "triphoppy".

Excellent, 10/10 from me. :kiss:
I am glad you like it.

It is almost entirely synths. Guitar the only non synth.

They recorded in 1979 when electro pop was taking off and this is what happens when a great singer and musician gets new sounds to play with.

Finding out years later Kate bush did backing vocals was the cream on the cake, when we found out every one was saying, ”Yeah of course it’s her!”

They collaborated years later on “Don’t give up.”
 
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  • #38
DennisN said:
To me it sounds a bit electro, downtempo and "triphoppy"
@pinball1970 :

I've discovered that the UK trip hop band Massive Attack did a remix of the song :smile::
(a bit less "electro" and more moody, I'd say (I prefer the original, of course, but I think the remix is interesting))

Peter Gabriel, games without frontiers, Massive Attack remix
 
  • #39
Here's "my" version featuring Mia Mizuhashi. She subsequently and unexpectedly became a superstar in China, so she no longer makes wonderful artistic stuff like this.



Note that the lyrics were altered to pass the censor. It's not really about kissing balloons in the jungle.
 
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  • #42
Hornbein said:
Yes I know that
This is just the track right? From 1980?
 
  • #43
Right. Different visuals. (I do this a lot.)
 
  • #44
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  • #45
robphy said:
I don't know why I like this song... or this band.
I don't understand any of the words. I just like the beats and melodies.
Interesting unusual sound, avantgarde, but very tight.
It sounds to me it has elements of psychedelic rock, punk and metal.
Not something I often hear.

Edit:

Genres according to Wikipedia:
Progressive, psychedelic, alternative, hard rock, heavy metal
 
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  • #46
Another song... I don't understand any of the words.

"Benjo Sandal Dance"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximum_the_Hormone


https://genius.com/Maximum-the-hormone-benjo-sandal-dance-lyrics
https://lyricstranslate.com/en/benjo-sandal-dance-toilet-sandal-dance.html


マキシマム ザ ホルモン( maximum the hormone ) - Benjo Sandal Dance en vivo #mth #maximumthehormone #live #zick #LiveNuMetal

- https://www.songsterr.com/a/wsa/maximum-the-hormone-benjo-sandal-dance-bass-tab-s448065

(see also Band Maid's Akane do a drum cover of this song
https://www.physicsforums.com/threa...s-impact-on-modern-music.1055930/post-6964135 )
 
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  • #48
robphy said:
I don't know why I like this song... or this band.
I don't understand any of the words. I just like the beats and melodies.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/88Kasyo_Junrei ( 八十八ヶ所巡礼 )

八十八ヶ所巡礼「仏滅トリシュナー」

https://www.songsterr.com/a/wsa/tab-s814439

more from this band
https://www.youtube.com/@ppr-qs6xz/videos

The band is Pilgrimage to 88 places. That takes place on the island of Shikoku.

Six million views! Amazing it's so popular. It IS catchy and intriguing.

That weird custom made ebass with the long horn is a good idea. Most ebasses tend to neck dive.
 
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  • #49
It sort of reminds me of this.

 
  • #51
Or this.

 
  • #52
Any song with the lyrics "La La La La" or "Na Na Na Na" is an instant hit. This one is at the top of my list in this sub-category of "Why do I like this song?":

 
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  • #54
jack action said:
Any song with the lyrics "La La La La" or "Na Na Na Na" is an instant hit. This one is at the top of my list in this sub-category of "Why do I like this song?":


I have no idea what the song is about except that the title is a tautology.
 
  • #55
jack action said:
Any song with the lyrics "La La La La" or "Na Na Na Na" is an instant hit. This one is at the top of my list in this sub-category of "Why do I like this song?":


I was thinking it could be about playing live? and that is what"life" is for them? It isnt.
 
  • #56
A band that I surprised myself liking is Depeche Mode. There are the obvious popular songs but a roommate who loved them made me discover a lot more that I inexplicably like. Here is just a sample:




 

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