Why do I love music?

I have a habit of talking to myself. Nobody would ever know because it’s an internal dialogue, but it does sometimes surprise me as to where it goes! I listen to a lot of music, but recently I started analyzing why I love specific performances… and so the internal dialogue started! Given the various components of music, my initial thought as to what draws me in was…

Probably the lyrics, because I love lines that express an emotion or a sentiment that I can relate to, but then… there are songs I love which are sung in a language I do not understand.

It’s still probably the lyrics, because even if I don’t understand them I can probably guess a context based on the song’s arrangement, but then… there are songs I love which have disturbing lyrics (which I don’t like).

It must be the voice, because I love warm but demonstrative vocal tones, but then… there are voices that are rather gravely/raspy and recording songs that I love.

It really must be the voice because of my love of a broad range of vocal tones, but then… I do love some instrumentals which negates all the prior possibilities.

It must be the instruments because I love most musical instruments, especially key boards and strings, but then… they can sometimes produce an unpleasant cacophony of sound.

It has to be the melody, because the melody can move me through various emotions and only needs a voice and/or an instrument to produce its magic, but then… I love some percussion pieces.

It must be my mood at the time, because that must surely influence my response to whatever I am listening to… but does that mean that  for a piece to appeal to me, I have to be in a receptive mood at the moment of listening to it? This is getting very complicated! Just thinking.

16 thoughts on “Why do I love music?”

  1. I had read somewhere that “one advantage of talking to yourself is that you know at least somebody’s listening” and I can identify with it! Very interesting analytical approach to your thinking as you pondered this question. I never have given a thought to the whys of it, it does perhaps raise the need for further introspection on the matter. At present I shall simply continue to just love music. Thank-you!

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  2. LOL! I assure you that you aren’t the only one that talks to themselves. I can have quite the interesting discussions as well in my head.
    I did enjoy hearing your thoughts. I was thinking in my mind , ” yes he is right, that may be why I enjoy music..” then you would raise another point and I would question myself… Complicated? Yes, I agree!
    I do lean towards the “mood” reason though most of all! 🙂

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  4. Everything you say is music to my ears, Colin. 🎶
    Sometimes though, a song can just cut across all boundaries and goes straight from the performer to the listener albeit they are worlds and times apart. Listen to ‘How Long Will I Love You?’ written and performed by the Waterboys. Then listen to the cover version by Ellie Goulding.

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  5. Have you come across that silly saying about the very best conversations are the ones that you have with yourself!!

    Anyway, I am of no doubt that our musical ‘ear’ is one of the root elements of the human brain and, possibly, of some animals. Think, for example, as to how easily and almost intuitively we can tell the difference between a major or minor key. Or be able to sing a scale? Or how for most people an instrument being played out of pitch ‘screams’ out at them.

    Another closely connected aspect of how we relate to music is how we relate to rhythm. Like many, I find it utterly impossible not to tap a foot or waggle a hand when my ears hear a clear beat.

    Keep on talking with yourself, Colin!

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