I don't know why I like this site. Maybe amusement, but most likely curiosity. I'm curious as to how other people view music.
Personally, I don't think knowing what the exact, specific meaning the songwriter had when he wrote the song is very important to enjoying a song. No, I don't think songs should be meaningless and that only the catchy survive. I think that, more important then the writers exact meaning, is the meaning you get from it. Not just meaning from lyrics, either, but from all the elements; the instruments, the singing, the style, the philosophy of the band, your state of mind. I think music is about atmosphere. Good music creates good musical atmosphere. Cobain wrote good songs not because you knew what his lyrics meant exactly, but because he created an atmosphere that was tangible. You can feel pure emotion coming out of your speakers/headphones. Kirkwood writes such great songs because they feel so direct, so intentional, yet, everyone has their own meaning and feeling they get from a song. He could make a song with genuine feeling and emotion before even writing the words. I love music that pushes boundaries. Something that freaks you out, that challenges your mind, that confuses you. Music that makes you feel. You can feel happy, sad, empathetic, repulsed, interested, disaffected. It can make you feel like dancing or like having a burrito. As long as it makes you feel, all while being ultimately beautiful.
When I was a kid, I learned about music by stealing my dad's Cd's and tapes and records and bootleg cassettes and all of that. I got a hold of Captain Beefheart. I popped it in, and waited while it slowly began. The stage was pitch black, except for one light, on the main microphone. Van Vliet quietly, slowly stepped out and pulled out a saxophone, and I couldn't help thinking how weird he looked. He suddenly burst into a fit of playing, instantly making me imagine a quadriplegic being jettisoned. It was sporadic, unusual, and completely free form. It wasn't just music, but art in so many different forms. He stopped briefly, only to shout "If you have ears, you have to listen!"
I'm not one of those people who sits around telling other people "You don't get my music. You say its annoying, but you just don't understand good music." in some uppity, holier-then-thou indie style. Music isn't competition, its art. Not everyone likes abstract art, and I fully realize that most people are irritated by Koenjihyakkei and Ruins and The Residents. As for me, those bands make some of the most beautiful art on the planet.
Sure, I could explain why its beautiful to me, but why would I do that? I really didn't even want to write this. I just wanted to go to bed. Luckily, nobody ever reads these journals (I didn't even know we had the option) explaining why I'm actually putting this here.
