I recently watched the movie The Five Heartbeats. Who woulda thought Robert Townsend could be so serious?! It was totally believable, and reminded me about all the tragic endings of so many Doowop supergroups and how they never saw a substantial amount of money from their work. I've been thinking about music a lot lately, wondering why I have such an emotional bond to it, and what elements, in my opinion, make up a good song. I've deduced that I love music because it makes me feel or makes me forget- two very important AND very dangerous things.
To name an overall favourite is no easy task. There are so many… Face To Face, Sleater Kinney, Bad Religion, Social D, Eddie Cochran, Skrewdriver, Slant 6, Tori Amos, Misfits, Hole, The Doors, GG Allin, Poison, Babes In Toyland, Dion, Black Sabbath, Roy Orbison, Red Aunts, Gene Vincent, Possum Dixon, Mario Lanza, Chuck Berry, The Cramps, and of course Gbv. And I'm sure I'm leaving out a few that are also near and dear, meaning I'd buy just about anything they release. What is it that draws me to them? (And why don't I like Elvis or The Beatles?)
Lyrical content is important to me, as is that they are audible. I want suffering, outrage, cynicism, passion, wit, and maybe a lil kitsch too. The subject matter doesn't matter too much as long as those are present in some form. I like a hook too, as would most people I'd guess. A little sex appeal doesn't hurt either ;)
I guess my diverse tastes in music make it hard for me to feel like a part of any particular scene, coupled with the fact that I don't participate in melodramatics or gossip. But, I digress…
I was a clarinet player and a singer in my school days. I tried guitar and bass. I still fiddle with them from time to time. But vocalizing has always been my strongest suit and most enjoyable. I can't go an entire day without hearing music and singing. Yet, I don't write anymore- not lyrics, not poetry, no stories, plays. Nothing. Why? I didn't have big dreams of fame and fortune that were dashed, so what discouraged me?
All this from seeing a movie?! I must admit, sometimes I AM a little “out there.”