- #1
Norman
- 897
- 4
Why do you listen to the music you listen to?
Some people listen to music simply because it is pleasing to their ears or because they like the rhythms, or whatever.
I, personally, listen to music usually for the lyrical message and musical feelings. For instance, I have a wide range of tastes from folk, mountain string band music to hardcore, straightedge punk to delta blues to rocksteady and reggae. My family and friends often wonder what is the string that ties my musical tastes together. I have thought long and hard on this. I think it is the soul and message of the music. They don't have to be particularly great musicians, nor do they need to play prolific or groundbreaking music. (Though musicianship sure makes listening easier.) But there needs to be an authenticity and sincerity that comes across for me to enjoy the music.
The blues, mountain music and reggae speaks of hardship and struggle to me. There is something both uplifting and grounding in feeling another persons struggles come out through their music. I feel in sharing their struggle, sorrow, hope and elation, it let's out those same feelings from me and I feel it is OK to have those feelings.
Punk and hardcore tap into the anger, energy, disillusion and simplicity of existence for me. I really think there is something to be said about 3 chords and the truth. There is something very liberating and primal to these genres to me. It is also likely closely linked to memories of my youth and going to basement shows, playing in bands, writing the music you love and playing it for your friends.
So, why do you listen to the music you listen to?
Some people listen to music simply because it is pleasing to their ears or because they like the rhythms, or whatever.
I, personally, listen to music usually for the lyrical message and musical feelings. For instance, I have a wide range of tastes from folk, mountain string band music to hardcore, straightedge punk to delta blues to rocksteady and reggae. My family and friends often wonder what is the string that ties my musical tastes together. I have thought long and hard on this. I think it is the soul and message of the music. They don't have to be particularly great musicians, nor do they need to play prolific or groundbreaking music. (Though musicianship sure makes listening easier.) But there needs to be an authenticity and sincerity that comes across for me to enjoy the music.
The blues, mountain music and reggae speaks of hardship and struggle to me. There is something both uplifting and grounding in feeling another persons struggles come out through their music. I feel in sharing their struggle, sorrow, hope and elation, it let's out those same feelings from me and I feel it is OK to have those feelings.
Punk and hardcore tap into the anger, energy, disillusion and simplicity of existence for me. I really think there is something to be said about 3 chords and the truth. There is something very liberating and primal to these genres to me. It is also likely closely linked to memories of my youth and going to basement shows, playing in bands, writing the music you love and playing it for your friends.
So, why do you listen to the music you listen to?