Saturday, January 22, 2011

Music Musings

It's been awhile since I've listened to music. I've been totally uninterested since probably about 2005'ish. I am wholly disappointed with the direction of music. The REAL STUFF is hidden somewhere in obscure bars or around the kava bowl. I just know that it is definitely NOT in the mainstream. I crave hearing sincerity in a song and beautiful lyrics.

When I was in high school, most nights I would end by popping in my favorite slow jam cassette (Yes! I said CASSETTE. lol) or tune in to Love Songs on KRTR while I write in my journal. It was always a perfect way to unwind and review the day and think through the things that were going on in my life at the time. Most times now, the only time I write in my journal is at church and I do a quick review of the week. Last night I brought back the slow jams and journal writing. It was a wonderful thing.

Some of the songs that played on my iTunes playlist brought back some serious memories. I remember how I felt when I first heard the song and who I was crushing on at the time. It felt really good and made me think of the current state of music. I am utterly disappointed by the amount of trash on the radio. Real artists that actually have something to say have all but faded from the music scene. John Lennon had something to say that had nothing to do with war. Bob Marley had a cause and garnered attention from the entire world because of his vision of peaceful existence. Jimi Hendrix. Michael Jackson. Tupac. Artists with a message rarely live to tell the entire story. I wonder what they'd have to say if they were here today.

"All we are saying is GIVE PEACE A CHANCE!"
~John Lennon

"Get up, Stand up.
Stand up for your rights!"

~Bob Marley

"The power of love OVERCOMES the love of power."
~Jimi Hendrix

"In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe."
~Michael Jackson

"Why am I fighting to live, if I'm just living to fight
Why am I trying to see, when there aint nothing in sight
Why am I trying to give, when no one gives me a try
Why am I dying to live, if I'm just living to die?"

~Tupac


Timeless messages never go out of style. They seem to apply across creed and race barriers. They extend beyond class and station in life. Wish there was a music messenger out there right now. Someone that could incite me to think beyond sex, drugs, and alcohol. I've tried listening to Country but it gets a little depressing and monotone. I love Classical on occasion. Gospel does well too. Jazz is great. Island music is awesome but limited. I love music from like Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Maroon 5 (what genre is that?). I even love Reggae but my heart is in R&B... and R&B has left me utterly DISAPPOINTED.

**heavy sigh**