Music: Can it have a universal understanding?

TheBig3 · 02-22-2011, 08:24 AM

I've asked a few people in the shoutbox to send me their opinions on a track, I've been trying to grasp something on my own, and now I'm asking you folks.

Quote:

Is it possible for 18 people to listen to the same song, who've never met, who don't come from the same regions or life experiences, and get the same meaning, or at least gist, from a song?

I'm talking specifically about the emotional response from the music specifically. I don't care about lyrics or opinion of bands. If you're going to answer this, I'd appreciate people sparring us the talking points and giving a genuine honest answer.

Why I ask: Perhaps this defines me as certifiable, but every now and then I'll listen to a track and it will paint a scenario for me. I apply it to places I've been in my life, but regardless of locale, its the same situation. And it doesn't change even if its 14 years after the first time I've heard the song. So to come to the radical root of the question: Do musical notes, or arrangements, or some form of counterpuntal interplay draw a certain perspective inherently, if only within a cultural grouping (i.e. Does it draw the same distinction in, say, The West).

Thanks.

**Janszoon** · 02-22-2011, 08:49 AM

I would say no and I don't think it's just restricted to culture. One example that springs to mind is The Church. On several occasions I've heard people refer to them as "depressing" which is unfathomable to me as I find their music to be beautiful, mellow and atmospheric, but certainly not depressing. Granted that example is a band not a specific song but I think it makes the point. Another example is the numerous times that I've heard punk songs that I find energetic and upbeat described as "angry" by other people.

duga · 02-22-2011, 10:05 AM

I don't think it's possible, either. That's why people have different tastes in music, after all.

I'll use the example of albums that "grow on you" over time. On first listen, maybe you didn't quite understand where the musician was coming from. Maybe you even thought it was total crap. However it happens, though, eventually you end up loving it. I think that's because you had to find the proper angle to approach the music. Find the subtleties that really click with you. I don't think two people will appreciate the same subtleties. Some may find nothing to appreciate.

I do have to say, though, there are certain songs that can have a universal understanding, but that's usually because the lyrics are so blatantly clear that it's really impossible to interpret it some other way.

PurpleWolf · 02-22-2011, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

I would say no and I don't think it's just restricted to culture. One example that springs to mind is The Church. On several occasions I've heard people refer to them as "depressing" which is unfathomable to me as I find their music to be beautiful, mellow and atmospheric, but certainly not depressing. Granted that example is a band not a specific song but I think it makes the point. Another example is the numerous times that I've heard punk songs that I find energetic and upbeat described as "angry" by other people.

I agree with Janszoon here. Our interpretations of something are often depicted by what we are brought up to believe is funny.
This is an example of how society effects your thinking:
If you are brought up in, say, Africa then you know that blacks generally do blue collar work and whites generally do white collared work. That is how it is.
If you are brought up in, say, America then you know that you can't call them 'black' or '******', that you have to treat them fairly, ect, ect. That is how things are.

**Janszoon** · 02-22-2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurpleWolf

I agree with Janszoon here. Our interpretations of something are often depicted by what we are brought up to believe is funny.
This is an example of how society effects your thinking:
If you are brought up in, say, Africa then you know that blacks generally do blue collar work and whites generally do white collared work. That is how it is.
If you are brought up in, say, America then you know that you can't call them 'black' or '******', that you have to treat them fairly, ect, ect. That is how things are.

Huh? Why are you bringing this strange, poorly-informed, and very racist sounding comparison into this thread?

duga · 02-22-2011, 10:50 AM

I'm still trying to figure out how that relates to music...

s_k · 02-22-2011, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

Huh? Why are you bringing this strange, poorly-informed, and very racist sounding comparison into this thread?

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurpleWolf

This is an example of how society effects your thinking:

Reading this, I don't think he/she (what are you!?) meant to be racist.

PurpleWolf · 02-22-2011, 10:53 AM

.....
First off, it was an example of how society affects our interpretations of things.
Second, what part of it is 'poorly-informed'?
I did not mean offense by what I said, I just said it as it is.

PurpleWolf · 02-22-2011, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s_k

Reading this, I don't think he/she (what are you!?) meant to be racist.

Thank you!!
It's not meant to be racist!

sorry for the double post

**Janszoon** · 02-22-2011, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurpleWolf

Second, what part of it is 'poorly-informed'?

Everything from the blanket assumptions about "how it is" in the entire continent of Africa to the erroneous notion that calling black people black is some kind of insult in America.

02-22-2011, 08:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	I would say no and I don't think it's just restricted to culture. One example that springs to mind is The Church. On several occasions I've heard people refer to them as "depressing" which is unfathomable to me as I find their music to be beautiful, mellow and atmospheric, but certainly not depressing. Granted that example is a band not a specific song but I think it makes the point. Another example is the numerous times that I've heard punk songs that I find energetic and upbeat described as "angry" by other people. __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

02-22-2011, 10:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
duga MB quadrant's JM Vincent Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 3,762	I don't think it's possible, either. That's why people have different tastes in music, after all. I'll use the example of albums that "grow on you" over time. On first listen, maybe you didn't quite understand where the musician was coming from. Maybe you even thought it was total crap. However it happens, though, eventually you end up loving it. I think that's because you had to find the proper angle to approach the music. Find the subtleties that really click with you. I don't think two people will appreciate the same subtleties. Some may find nothing to appreciate. I do have to say, though, there are certain songs that can have a universal understanding, but that's usually because the lyrics are so blatantly clear that it's really impossible to interpret it some other way. __________________ Confusion will be my epitaph...

02-22-2011, 10:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
duga MB quadrant's JM Vincent Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 3,762	I'm still trying to figure out how that relates to music... __________________ Confusion will be my epitaph...

02-22-2011, 10:53 AM	#8 (permalink)
PurpleWolf Groupie Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 44	..... First off, it was an example of how society affects our interpretations of things. Second, what part of it is 'poorly-informed'? I did not mean offense by what I said, I just said it as it is.