Comments on: Things Music Can Teach You

By: Bret

Bret — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 04:14:04 +0000

Great post! Not being at all an emotional person, music is about the only way I express myself. I only wish I were a better musician.

I’d have to say that both the sounds AND the lyrics of songs teach me things. Sometimes each by themselves but usually through the brilliant combination of the two. Certian phrases mean more because an inspired composer put the music they did to that phrase. This is easiest for me to recognise when scripture is put to music but occurs in all genres.

By: Rusty

Rusty — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 03:43:09 +0000

I’m exactly the same as Tom when it comes to the sonics of music. I rarely listen to the lyrics of a song, I mostly like stuff for the way it sounds. That’s why I enjoy Sigur Ros as much as anything in English. There are some exceptions though, mostly hymns. Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief; Come, Come Ye Saints; I Stand All Amazed all bring me to tears if I’m listening to what I’m singing.

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 03:23:55 +0000

Music is more about sonics than meaning for me. It’s about the experience of hearing and appreciating beautiful or interesting sounds. Sometimes the sonics can accentuate and add meaning, but for the most part I’m not much of a words guy. I rarely pay much attention to what the music is trying to be about. So I probably learn less than I could. But like the best literature, music can teach us a lot about ourselves and about being a human.

As I look through my music thinking of what I have learned or what could be learned from it, I can’t think of a lot of specific things. In a general sense, I think a lot of the value of music and literature and other arts comes from experiencing life through the eyes of someone else. Honest, thoughtful expression of ideas and feelings usually has some value, regardless of the specifics.

I did come up with a few specific examples:

Handel’s Messiah taught me in a powerful way to appreciate the Savior.

I learned from Elliott Smith’s music why some people take drugs (and his demise re-emphasized to me why self-medication is not a good idea and why people need love).

From TV On the Radio I was reminded of the personal cost of conflict: “I was a lover before this war.”

I haven’t learned anything from Radiohead, but they make great noise.

By: Susan M

Susan M — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 01:09:15 +0000

I don’t think I’ve heard much zydeco. Drop me an email though if you want: whenigodeaf at gmail dot com.

By: Mark IV

Mark IV — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 00:20:10 +0000

Susan, I’ve also found that it is impossible for me to be grumpy while listening to bluegrass. Zydeco also has the same influence on me. Do you like zydeco?

By: Susan M

Susan M — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 19:47:01 +0000

There’s two genres of music that bring me the most joy—doom metal and bluegrass. They really make me happy. It’s funny that something a lot of people would call evil-sounding (you should hear what I’m listening to as I type this) makes me want to smile and laugh (and not just laugh at the silly, evil-sounding vocals, although that is part of it—how can that not be funny?). But I also have an auditory processing disorder, and I’m sure that’s part of why I love doom metal—I’m drawn to the low-end heavy bass sound.

I don’t actually listen to doom very often, though. I prefer to experience it live.

By: cj douglass

cj douglass — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 19:40:08 +0000

Susan,
I’d be interested to know what kind of effect doom metal has on you. I listen to metal(or any heavy, power chordy type music) because it stimulates my creativity in a way that spiritual music cannot. My mission president was known to teach that if a type of music was not condusive to the spirit then it was of the devil. I personally feel that spiritual music is of the most value to me but I don’t view other types as of no value. Instead I think they serve a different purpose. Does evil music exist? yes, but its not as cut and dry as hymns and everything else. Anyway, it would be great to hear your thoughts.

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 19:15:46 +0000

I found this on Wikipedia:

Bruce Springsteen, in his 2005 VH1 Storytellers appearance, lightheartedly made the assertion that the sole reason that Manfred Mann’s version of the song went to number one is that the altered lyric is actually “revved up like a douche”. Bruce said, “The original lyric is ‘cut loose like a deuce’ referring to a two seat hot-rod, a little deuce coupe. Manfred Mann changed the lyric to ‘revved up like a douche.’ which is a feminine hygienic procedure.” It should be noted, however, that Manfred Mann’s website lists the lyric as “deuce” rather than “douche”. It was once rumored that Chris Thompson’s New Zealand accent may be responsible for swapping deuce for douche.

By: Susan M

Susan M — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 18:58:21 +0000

Wow, I don’t think I ever knew that. Does Bruce sound like he’s singing “douche,” too?

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 18:40:43 +0000

I have to pipe up here to note that “Blinded by the Light” is a Bruce Springsteen song, covered by Mann. (The real lyrics are “Cut loose like a deuce…”)