Cactus Chords

This is something I have never come to grips with. And if any one of my readers can enlighten me on this matter, I would be deeply obliged.

There are several genres of music namely, pop, reggae, rock, rap, hip-hop, blues, jazz, lounge, trance, techno, house and the list just keeps going on and on….

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Why do we listen to music?

I think, it is to emote. You listen to music to give your emotions a companion, to match a feeling. You actually feel like the artist I trying to tell you something through a song. Some songs literally feel like they go right through your soul. This feeling is accentuated when you are listening to a song that is actually describing a feeling you are currently subjected to or undergoing for example relaxed, angry, sad, heart broken, happy, betrayed, lucky, left out etc.
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But the dodgy question is, why is a certain kind of music frowned upon?

One thing that Ive noticed over the years and still do is, Pop is frowned up on as gay music by some. You know, the Backsktreet Boys, Boyzone, Westlife and the sorts.

On the other hand, RAP, Rock, Heavy Metal, Hip Hop, Trance, Techno and all are cool. Music with the “punch & X-factor” in it. I admit, even I have, at one point of time, frowned up on certain music just to fit into a group of friends and secretly listen to the rest. But that actually made me love a whole new genre of music. So it has its pros and cons. Those were school days. As I moved on in life, I realized the true value of music and that I loved listening to all kinds of music. If anyone wants to judge me by the music I listen to, go ahead, my comment box is right below.

I had the great opportunity of meeting the lead singer of one of the leading rock bands in India. As we chatted, he asked me, “Mithun…..so what kind of music do you listen to?”. I honestly told him, “I listen to all kinds of music. Though I love Rap and Hip Hop, I wouldn’t mind any of the girl or boy bands either as long as I love the music.” I expected him to just nod and chuckle later with his friends, but he was way too mature for that. He nodded slowly, leaned forward and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet a blessed listener. I too feel the same.” Oh by the way, if you think I am shitting you, then go ahead. This actually happened.

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I was shocked at such a remark and glad that this guy who goes on stage and head bangs and throats lyrics actually listens to other genres as well. Later when I got talking with him, he told me that he listens to all kinds of music and draws inspiration from their emotions, lyrics and culture. I was thrilled and humbled at the same time.

I do believe, after a certain age, artists much alter the way they showcase their music. Now a bunch of young guys or gals might attract the crowd initially. But if you are 40 plus and still want your “botoxed” cheeks and saggy chests to be termed under heart throbs, I would pass……….thats a big NO NO!!!
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All I ask is, why is the music being blamed?

If you ask me what is that one music that you do not like, personally, it would be death metal because, I do not understand it. But I still feel, if I understood it and probably had emotions to compare it with, I might like it. Otherwise I love everything else. I do not know why. I listen and sing to Pop, Rock, breathe Rap, Hip Hop, lil bit of Blues, tolerate Jazz, love Trance, adore Techno, embrace House and I can keep going on.

All this makes me wonder, is music all about attitude or the art itself? And the most interesting part is that, it isn’t like, if you like a certain genre, you be left in peace. He/She is considered an outcast until he decides to fit in gradually or decides to live like an outlaw. In most of the cases, the former is the eventuality of the scenario.

So, finally is it that, “music” equals “religion” and “genre” equals “cult” or did I just manage to write a whole post about something only I feel exists? I wonder……………

Cheers!!!
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image reference: http://brotherpeacemaker.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/rap-artists.jpg, http://anhso.net/data/65/gon_171/580352/k-bsb46855.jpg, http://www.mydigitallife.co.za/images/JoJo/Guitar_Hero_III_Legends_of_Rock_-_Judy_Closeup.jpg, http://media.photobucket.com/image/trance/Xx_SQUEE_xX/trance.jpg, http://media.photobucket.com/image/jazz/arbycub/Music/jazz.jpg