Thoughts on Music 

draws me in 

I recently listened to a talk radio show discussing classic songs as played with all instruments removed from the soundtrack. Most of the songs played were utterly fantastic, mostly by design; the pre-screened the tracks and chose those with a particular feel when the instrumentals were missing. The songs were all classics of varying genres, songs of the Beetles, the Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Pearl Jam, etc. Mostly those that would generally be considered some of the best all time musicians/artists. Some of the music was simply serenely beautiful; a soft and gentle tone where it was easy to understand why those voices were so amazing when played solo. The others were what truly amazed me, the ones that were stressed, the ones that were raw, the ones that were less than perfect. Those were the truly soulful voices, the ones that could not escape pause and contemplation. The likes of the Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, and John Lennon and Paul McCartney, were particularly breathtaking.

The voices were visceral, they were painful, the imperfections made them somewhat more reachable than the others. It was a raw emotion that transcended the song itself and gave emotions that could be felt even in the absence of lyrics. I think this is one of the essential elements of a great song.

Overall the discussion got me thinking about what really moves me musically. It made me nail it down to two basic elements, the vocals, and the guitar. I will admit I am not technically advanced musically, so I am sure this will annoy many who are, apologies in advance.

When I imagine the perfect song, I picture one that when an individual stands out in the crowded streets to sing the song and it would stop the world. When a singer can vocally emit an emotion and have the hearts of the audience simultaneously skip a beat. A song which emits rawness, an emotion that is palpable and that cannot be ignored; one that, despite earthly laws, cannot fall on deaf ears. The lyrics will hold up as if a poem, but when sung take you to a higher existence. Songs that can do this are truly sublime. (Hint: Listen to “Don’t Let Me Down” with the instruments removed, you will understand)

While vocals can stand on their own, they cannot fully be a complete song until backed by a guitar that can sing equally well. I have always been preferential to music that is led by a strong riff and even stronger solos. I guess now that I think about it, great artists can make their instruments sing just as powerfully as singers can. They can reach that same emotion on their own, without uttering a single word. Songs like Yellow Ledbetter, or Fortunate Son, there is something that just rips in the guitar. These songs can be listened to instrumentally over and over without losing the feeling.

Then you put the two together, a screaming guitar and almost weeping vocals. Those songs will just reach out and grab you. You get held helpless in wonder while they flow through you. I hope I am making sense, I really hope that you have felt this too. I used to feel it more. When I was younger I think I had more time to just listen to music without anywhere to go, or anywhere to be. I used to just listen. Talking about it now it makes me feel nostalgic, I can remember those instances where I was trapped by the music. Listening to the songs now can transport me back to times where they were at the forefront of my life. The shared emotion links itself to where I was and what I was hearing. It almost makes me think that it could be what was happening in my life that makes those songs to powerful to me, but I quickly dismiss this notion. As I write this I am playing All You Need is Love from my stereo, a song that is near and dear to me, but right now I am not the only one listening, and at this moment, the stereo isn’t the only thing singing. My sister who is a fairly talented singer herself just started belting out the song from the next room, and you can hear in her voice that its not just me.

Its refreshing to hear someone shamelessly singing at the top of their lungs because the song touches them. I wish I had the same ability(or courage for that matter) I used to, there was a time in my life where I would join street artists during their late night performances, but that was a different time, a time where the music was much louder in life.