What does music mean to you? What does it do for you?

I said in another thread that the real 'cash value' of music, and really anything, is what is does for you/means to you.

To me, music means expression. It can express an emotion, a state of mind, a desire, a hope.....the list goes on.

And for me, the music is awesome, no doubt, but the lyrics just take me BEYOND. Its poetry set to sounds and silence. They can move me very deeply, transport me to another place, sometimes another time, and influence me. And when a song doesn't have lyrics, I can make up a story to go with them....not always the details, but the impressions they give me...and then they take me over the edge, haha. I love dance too...but I cannot love it quite as much as the expression that lyrics give in a song. Words are powerful, bottom line, end of story.

I've got Obscure Auditory Dysfunction and poor concentration, so I don't hear all the lyrics, and I'm hopeless at remembering song lyrics, which is a pity, because I sometimes like to sing in public when I'm bored out of my skull waiting for trains. I wish I could hear the hip hop lyrics better, because they are really an important part of that type of music.

Before I laugh or cry, maybe you would tell me if that was a joke or serious? I see it able to be both.

Well, it's true what I wrote, but of course I can see the funny side of it, too. I do get both smiles and laughs from people when I sing or shout a non sequitur, and the obscure auditory dysfunction thing has both puzzled and amused people as well.

Ok. Well even the hip-hop reference I wondered about. People who don't like it might say something like that and mean it totally sarcastic, haha.

Well yea, that is sad. It's nice you sing and enjoy yourself. If it does something positive for you, thats the key, right?

It's strange because I don't have reduced hearing, it's just I can't always hear the words clearly. So I constantly have to ask people to repeat what they say. But I don't want a hearing aid, because that won't solve the problem.

I frequently don't understand song lyrics. The truth is, I don't always listen to them. For me, the groove is the most important thing. Good harmonies and an appealing melody are about equal. And good lyrics appeal to me the least of all. I can't really explain what it is about the rhythm that appeals to me so much more than everything else. Maybe the fact that it's more about feeling than intellect than other aspects of music are that appeals to me.

Music and I have been inseparable since 1977. It's just a part of my life and certain songs instantly recall certain time periods of my life.

However, while great lyrics can take a song into a higher place, I think it's the music, first and foremost, that draws me in. And I'm a word person. But if the music isn't happening, then I may not feel compelled to listen to the words.

But what I love are songs that just take me out of myself and make me feel good. It doesn't necessarily have to be a profound song -- it can be a three chord rocker that hits the spot -- but there are some songs that just make me feel good as I'm driving along.

Sadly, I will admit that most of my music listening is done in the car these days, going to and from work and other things.

Jon and Chris-


Yea, I agree with you both about the music being highly important. I probably overstated what I said earlier, which I do frequently. If the combo is right, the music and the lyrics are equally important to me. And of course, there are songs whose lyrics I enjoy reading but whose music I don't enjoy hearing. And very true for me also Chris-- "it doesn't necessarily have to be a profound song-- it can be a three chord rocker" or whatever else.

Thanks for sharing guys!

Thanks for starting this thread, Miss Fuzzy.

Also, some of my favorite songs have some of the dumbest lyrics. It's just the chords or the groove of it that gets me moving and I can get past the fact that the lyrics aren't profound.

It also has a lot to do with a particular performance, the right mix, etc.

Examples?

Um, er, um....

I don't know....maybe "Given The Dog A Bone" by AC/DC?

I was just speaking generally.

hahaha.....you said "some of my favorite songs".....that sounds like what I'd do. Generalize and then not have any concrete evidence. hehe

We don't have to have concrete evidence here. IMWAN is about total irrelevance.

I rest my case.

Were you on trial?

I'm not allowed to say.

Dang Mafia.

I love music. I don't watch tv, so I listen to a lot of music. I write songs. Lyrics are very important to me. I think music is universal and can do a lot to bring people together. A lot of good comes from music. I am still hoping to record some songs...but I'm now getting focused on a story I'm writing that I hope will turn out to be a full novel one day. And yes, it's got a musical element to it. I need music on all the time. Even when I'm writing...

Btw, welcome to the forum, Fuzzy.

Ohhh, way cool Francine!! Maybe we'll get to read or hear some of your stuff someday. And thanks.

I hope so. Thanks, Fuzzy.

Music is also about expression for me too,the lyrics of a song or the musicianship present.

It's also about taking me back to a given time that the album was created-in my case anything between the 50s and up until the beginning of the noughties.It doesn't really matter that I may not have heard some these records first time round,(because of not being born or too young) as every album carries with it something of the spirit if the time it was made.If you appreciate a little recent history your imagination can do the rest to take you there.

Music is also an expression of my own personal taste,and I like to think that if someone saw, or even heard large sections of my collection, they would roughly know what I am about as a person.

Ooohhh, RIGHT! Nice thought!