The True Meaning of a Song

Moving on down the topic list, I'll turn toward another passion of mine, which is music. I celebrate a wide variety of tunes that typically shift by mood and time. I still enjoy a well crafted hip hop collaboration, but haven't focused on the rap scene in many years. Classic rock is always fun especially when you're out getting blasted on a Saturday night, but sometimes you can't help but realize that the bass player of this tune might currently be wearing diapers. I even enjoy a decent pop song on a nice day if it gets stuck in my head. I know most people can't stand that type of music because they hear the songs too many times. I don't mean to throw you off your game champ, but if you've heard the song too many times maybe try switching the station. Just a thought. But overall, I would have to say that I'm a rock guy: alternative, mainstream, metal, piano, whatever the case may be.

Well enough about my music tastes, let us approach the topic of the day. The everlasting search for the true meaning of each and every song ever written. I know you're expecting either a spiritual journey through the time travels of songbirds or a really long list of songs with meanings following. I'm going to do you one better and reply with one simple thought. The true meaning of each and every song is defined by your personal connection with the lyrics, the music, and feeling invoked by the combination. Music is art. No different than a painting in a gallery or a photograph of a sunset. Sure the person who created that ditty had certain emotions at play and a general message to get across, but that doesn't mean that what the song means to you is wrong.

This brings me to my first question: what do these wannabe Matt Pinfields get for knowing what the artist's meaning of a song is? Does the portly bald fellow sneak into their bedroom at night to leave an unmarked 45 of Little Richard for spreading music knowledge? Why do these people need to trample over the enjoyment that someone gets from connecting with their music of choice? I just simply don't understand what is to gain from this practice. If someone out there thinks that Pearl Jam's Jeremy is a wonderful tune about student participation, then I say bring it to class and sing along with each of your kid's names..."Sally spoke in, claaaaasssss today." Hell maybe the little bastards will wake up out of their video game coma for three minutes instead of dozing to the dulcid tones of Raffi walking down to the bay to pick another damn watermelon.

The morale of the story is that you need to make your own personal connection with your music. It will not only enhance your listening experience, but make your musical journey a much more peaceful getaway. This will enable you to listen to any song, no matter what the intended message even if you might not agree with what the artist's message is. Freedom of expression, freedom of thought, and freedom from know-it-all douchebags. Don't worry Kurt Loder isn't lurking behind you. Yes I just included that sentence because I really wanted to throw in a Kurt Loder reference. Let's face it, he's had a pretty slow decade.

Digital Ditty

Every week during this portion of the program, I will be providing a tune that you need to go out and add to your music collection. Think of me as a better version of the Apple iTunes Genius aka one that filters out crap music. I'll do my best every week to bring you a song that isn't either #1 on the charts or constantly streaming across the radio airwaves. It might be new or it might be old, but it most certainly will be delightful. This week I implore you to search out "Enough for Now" by The Fray. I actually saw this piano rock band on the 4th of July up at Summerfest, and they're quite a talented foursome. The song has depth, passion, and some driving lyrics.

On a side note, I would like to encourage anyone reading this blog to help make it interactive. I'm hoping to build a mini-community where people with similar interests can debate some interesting topics and offer up some of their own picks on music, food, etc. So please comment whenever you feel moved to do so and pass along the link to friends, family, vagrants, and the like.