The Power of Music

I’m not a huge music nerd, but I love listening to songs when I’m bored or in a state of relaxation.  What I love most about music is how it can transport you to an earlier time in your life.  When you hear a song that was popular in grade school, the mind immediately recalls memories associated with that time period.  We associate songs with emotions, people, and places we have been in the past.  The question is, why do certain songs evoke such vivid memories of our autobiographical past?

Everytime I hear a track from Outkast’s Speakerboxxx, I am immediately reminded of my grade school experience.  Akon springs to life memories from my junior and senior years of high school.  Even more fascinating, we all can hear songs even though our ears aren’t actually intaking noise.  Take “We Will Rock You” by Queen for example.  Everyone can play this song in their mind without an audible prompt.   

One reason music is pivotal to personal growth is that it prompts us to reflect on the past.  In a time where being busy is the norm, taking time to think and ponder isn’t valued as it should be.  Reflection is an important way to learn from our mistakes.  We can use our past shortcomings to get better and learn in the future.  Reflection gives us perspective and helps us lead happier lives.  We tend to focus on our negative attributes but reflections allows you to realize how much you’ve done right in your life.  The small things don’t matter when you take a step back.  Looking at the big picture can calm us down and relieve stress.      

Intellectual Rappers

The garbage you hear on the radio that passes itself off as “rap” is rarely indicative of the beauty and intricacy evident in real rap music.  Even though some rap does not contain socially redeeming or intellectually stimulating lyrics, there are a few diamonds in the ruff.  IntelRap (a genre I just made up) is a style that transforms listening to rap into a thought-provoking and reflective activity.

Andre 3000
You might know Andre 3000 as one-half of the critically acclaimed rap duo Outkast.  Although his biggest hits (Hey Ya!, Sorry Ms. Jackson, So Fresh So Clean) are not heavy with intellectual lyrics, he does have a few cerebral tracks in which he explores existential topics and offers unconventional metaphorical language.  “My Favorite Things”, “A Life In the Day of Benjamin Andre”, and “Pink & Blue” are three examples. 

Immortal Technique
His real name is Felipe Andres Coronel, and this Afro-Peruvian rapper focuses venomously on controversial issues in global politics.  His aggressive lyrics are largely centered around class struggle, poverty, religion, government, and institutional racism.  Born in Lima, Peru, “Tech” raised in Harlem, New York.  “You Never Know” and “Dance With The Devil” are the two tracks I would recommend from this obscure, but brilliant rapper.  

Illogic
Even though this Ohio-based underground rap artist is very obscure, his skill with words is second to none.  In his tracks, he discusses religious doctrines, scientific discoveries, and philosophy.  He’s a special talent, and its unfortunate most people have never heard of him.  Check out “1000 Whispers” and “Hate In A Puddle”.

Eyedea
The late Eyedea (Micheal Larsen) was a freestyle battle rapper who hailed from Saint Paul, Minnesota.  His non-battle rhymes have heavy philosophical themes, and are often told in a story format.  He died way too young at the age of 28, but appreciators of deep rap music will forever remember him.

KRS-One
Lawrence Krisna Parker, better known as KRS-One, was a pioneer of IntelRap.  He is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work and effort towards the Stop the Violence Movement.  He talks about the importance of knowledge, education, and history in his song “You Must Learn”  In “Philosophical” and “My Philosophy”, KRS-One explores metaphysics, rationality, and meaning. 

Life Lessons From The Blue Man Group

Back in the late 1980’s, Phil Stanton, Matt Goldman, and Chris Wink formed the Blue Man Group, a high-concept performing trio with cobalt-blue skin, no hair, and an inability to speak.  After kickstarting their careers in New York in 1987, the Blue Man Group has performed thousands of times in five continents.   

When Phil, Matt, and Chris pitched the idea to people, it was viewed as absurd and ridiculous.  Even close, well-meaning friends and family, told them hundreds of reasons why they were crazy.
-It’s not reasonable.
-It’s weird.
-It’s too childish and strange.
-It’s too long.
-People won’t get it.

Here’s how “crazy” they are--the Blue Man Group has been nominated for a Grammy Award and performed live at the Grammy to a standing ovation at the Staples Center.  They have received millions of dollars in donations to help families with AIDS.  They have gone to Washington D.C. to lobby senators and representatives to fund music and arts education in the public school system and started a private elementary school.  They have participated in a panel to find different ways to creative with two Nobel Prize laureates, the Dalai Lama, and a British Knight.   

If someone ever tells you what you can’t do, let those comments fuel your passion and drive.  Allow their words to motivate you to reach your goals that much more.  You can take yourself to higher levels regardless of anyone else’s opinion. 

Blue Man Group co-founder Phil Stanton grew up curious about tinkering and building things.  At the time, Phil had no desire to pursue a career in theatre even though both his mother and father were musicians and singers.  He was a shy child, and suffered from stage fright.  After graduating high school, Phil got a job at a store that sells tons of industrial building materials.  While working there, he became intrigued with gears, nuts, bolts, PVC pipes, and stainless steel.  Eventually, Phil moved on and that job ended.  He went to a liberal arts college and bounced around between several majors before finally settling on acting.  After meeting Chris Wink while working at a waiter in New York.  He met Matt Goldman soon after.  When the threesome was just starting out, all that knowledge about pipe, metal, and building materials from the job at the hardware store 12 years before came flooding back to Phil.  They constructed odd instruments and other mechanical stage sets that eventually became  integral elements to the Blue Man Group experience. 

Had Phil not taken that high school job at the industrial building store, he would not have had the know-how to construct these bizarre, yet potent instruments.  The lesson here is if you pay attention to and learn from every experience life has to offer, you will be able to apply that knowledge in whatever you wind up doing.  There should be an overarching continuity in our lives between different time periods.  It’s not like you become a completely different person when you go off to college.  No matter where you go, you still have sum of your experiences to draw from.

Music Tuesday

Longtime readers of my writings know that I used to post a poem every Tuesday.  I can understand poetry from time to time, but music is much more popular among people nowadays.  Today's music selections include Joe Cocker, Scatman John, and Spearhead, and the Highwaymen  Enjoy!

Joe Cocker- Feeling Alright

Scatman John- Scatman

Spearhead- Hole In The Bucket

Highwaymen- Highwayman

Music Sunday: Cascada Song List

Cascada is a Eurodance pop group most famous for hit singles "Everytime We Touch", "What Hurts the Most", and "Evacuate The Dancefloor".  The wildly successful German band is composed of DJ Yanou, DJ Manian, and Natalie Horler.  English-German Natalie Horler is the lead singer of Cascada, and the band name has become synonymous with her.  Her effervescent, witty personality is a breath of fresh air in an era of vapid celebrities.  Here's an example of what I mean...

In no particular order...

1. Evacuate the Dancefloor

2. Everytime We Touch

3. Pyromania

4. What Hurts The Most

5. Last Christmas

6. San Francisco

7. Dangerous

8. What About Me

9. Miracle

10. Truly, Madly, Deeply

Top 10 Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash has always been one of the few country artists that I enjoy.  His lyrics are often thought-provoking, and his music appeals to rock n roll and country fans simultaneously.  Cash was known for his deep, distinct voice, his humble demeanor, and putting on concerts in prisons.  He was a devout but troubled Christian as evidenced by his declaration that he was "the biggest sinner of them all".

As you can see in some of these videos, Johnny often introduced himself at concerts by saying, "Hello.  I'm Johnny Cash."

1. Walk The Line

2. A Boy Named Sue

3. Amazing Grace

4. Hurt

5. Ring of Fire

6. I've Been Everywhere

7. Highwayman (with Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon Jennings

8. Cats In The Cradle

9. Get Rhythm

10. Folsom Prison Blues

Bonus. God Is Gonna Cut You Down

Poetry Tuesday: Punk Rock Selection

For this week's Poetry Tuesday, I am publishing five Youtube videos of hardcore punk rock songs.  The hardcore punk movement progressively swept through America in the 1980s.  From California to New York, youths expressed their frustrations with the government, alcohol, drugs, and life in general.  The musical structure to hardcore may not be appealing, but it certainly is hard, fast, and loud.

1. Black Flag- Rise Above

2. Minor Threat- Guilty of Being White

3. Negative FX

4. Bad Brains- Banned In DC

5. Dead Kennedys- California Uber Alles