Sunday, February 15, 2009

Music. That's right.

Music, it's pretty much a given that everyone listens to it these days. It's often the source of discussion, and even sometimes causes arguments. I am blogging because I think this is stupid. People need to learn that music is music, no matter if it's rap, rock, country, jazz, whatever.

There are hundreds of genres and sub-genres of music now, each with some number of followers. I know some people that only listen to Rap, and some people that won't listen to any of it. While I do try to find the good in all music, I will admit to listening less to rap and country. However, that doesn't mean that there's nothing good about it.

For example, I came back from a quick trip to the library about a half hour ago. I probably came home with the most outrageous variety of music ever, and I think that's okay. I rented Buddy Rich, Steely Dan, Santana, Nat King Cole, The Police, Chick Corea, and Miles Davis. Yeah, it's a weird combo. 

I guess the major reason that I'm posting is to let everyone know that I think all music is alright. Whether it's Reggae or Pop, music is a way to portray emotion and thinking in a creative way. It's an art, so we have to accept all different forms of it. In the end, we all have likes and dislikes, and that's okay. I guess I probably would run away if you asked me to listen to a lot of the new music out there. But hey, other people will be giving the same songs Grammy nominations. 

P.S.- I'd say the only reason I'm listening to Nat King Cole in the first place is because of Jazz Band. Try some new music - you'll like it. But you won't probably won't like this, it starts to make you feel a little bit like an 80-year-old at times.

7 comments:

Darrell G said...

Pat, I totally agree with you. Sometimes people do stereotype music too soon. I'm proud to admit that I like hip-hop/rap. Although I do admit, that there are some inappropriate or "dumb" songs (ok..maybe a lot of them), there's still songs out there that still stay true to the essence of rap. Rap is supposed to be a form of poetry. Like you said, it's also important to try new types of music that you necessarily don't usually listen to.

Pat said...

Yes, even though I am definitely not a true rap/ hip-hop fan, there are some good things going on out there. In particular, I like Jay-Z collaborations, old Kanye, and Lupe Fiasco.

MK said...

Haha ok, I have said this a million times, but really rap may be music, but I don't think its talent. It might be catchy, and that's really good when it comes to music, but talent....idk. I could put my voice infront of computer generated noise and make it music, but it's not talent.
Sorry, I just always have to say that when people talk about rap. I'll shut up now, haha.

Alex D said...

Well, Mary, but you could say that about anything. Running is nothing but picking up your feet. Swimming is just kicking and waving your arms around. You can simplify pretty much anything to that. I don't think it's the fact that anyone could do it...it's all about the people who do.

Although I'll often say I 'hate' rap, I can find a song I like in literally any genre I can currently think of. I agree with Pat- it's really hard to generalize these days. I'm actually find Christian rap enjoyable. Not because of the message so much, but because I can understand what they're saying.

Fatima H said...

I totally agree with Alex, people have different opinions and we should respect them, whatever that may be. No one has the right to criticize others opinions. You don't have to "like" what that specific person likes;that's what makes everyone unique. You definitely should respect others opinions, even if it goes against your own. :)
I feel that differences in tastes are something that really makes us all very interesting. For me, learning about your feelings about certain discussions, your favorite color, favorite music, favorite food, favorite movies, all these are what makes my school time more enjoyable. Learning about your views give me a new perspective, a new way of learning and a great way to getting to know you.

As mentioned above, I feel that it also exposes me to new ideas and looking at something in your perspective, maybe if that's even listening to one of your favorite songs. I feel that it's really important to acknoledge and appreciate differences and look at it from the positive side.


As far as music, I also like rap/hip-hop/R&B sometimes...(not the inappropriate types :)
Actually, for a while, (not too long ago) I was crazy after the song Disturbia and Forever. hahah. I sometimes even end up listening to Demi Lavato's La La Land with my little 6 year old sister.
Generally, I love cultural music. I love Persian folk and Modern Arabian music. I listen to a lot of Indian music generally(..which is a very broad category already of rock, hip-hop, country, folk, etc. and I love all of it)

heheh :)
That's just me :)

chelly. said...

About rap: I'll admit that I was one of those people that said, "I hate rap." I was actually thinking about this the other day. It was never the fact that I disliked rap. It was just never appealing to my ear. It wasn't what I grew up listening to. I was always surrounded by alternative and rock. Always. That's what I listen to now. Rap was spoken too fast for me so it's not that I didn't understand the lyrics, I just wasn't ever trying to. When I was listening to Live Your Life by T.I. last night, I tried listening to the lyrics to find why this song is so popular and I realized that that they actually meant something meaningful. Now I'm going to (hopefully) try to listen to more rap because I know that rap artists have something to say through their music too. I think that most music is alright because the people that write the lyrics or sing the song are usually passionate about it. And I think we need to respect that this is what they love to do and if we don't like it, then we don't like it. But at least we try to understand where they're coming from.

Lauren T said...

All I have to say is YES. I agree with everything you just said, Pat.