How can music be depressing?

Holerbot6000 · 08-23-2012, 08:32 AM

When I hear something like 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' or pretty much anything written by Jim Steinman, or if I have to listen to the braying idiocy of modern country, where some asselope takes yet another jingoistic phrase like 'Don't Count yer Chickens' and turns it into a rollicking tune, when I hear one of those awful American Idol singers flailing away at some pop standard, when I hear music like that, I get depressed. There is no other word for it. Don't tell me music can't be depressing....Would that it were true.

GrapevineFires · 08-23-2012, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holerbot6000

When I hear something like 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' or pretty much anything written by Jim Steinman, or if I have to listen to the braying idiocy of modern country, where some asselope takes yet another jingoistic phrase like 'Don't Count yer Chickens' and turns it into a rollicking tune, when I hear one of those awful American Idol singers flailing away at some pop standard, when I hear music like that, I get depressed. There is no other word for it. Don't tell me music can't be depressing....Would that it were true.

Yup. Good point there. Especially with those reality tv shows.

**Janszoon** · 08-23-2012, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapevineFires

But, being depressed is not a positive thing. Therefore the music is having a negative effect. "Depressing" is not good.

Once again, you're confusing subject matter with quality here. Not all art deals in positive emotions, that doesn't make it bad art.

Let me put it this way: Have you ever seen a movie that was sad? If so, does the fact that it was sad mean that it was a crappy movie?

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapevineFires

I listen to alot of music that people would describe as downbeat and melancholic. That's because I find it the most beautiful. The most inspiring and the most uplifting. This is why I feel there is a misconception over the term "depressing". That term for me, is a negative state of mind. And anything that does that to you should be avoided.

Music is not depressing, in my humble opinion.

I hate to break it to you, but melancholy is also a negative state of mind.

GrapevineFires · 08-23-2012, 09:01 AM

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Originally Posted by Janszoon

Let me put it this way: Have you ever seen a movie that was sad?

Yes

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If so, does the fact that it was sad mean that it was a crappy movie?

No.

Not sure of your point sorry.

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I hate to break it to you, but melancholy is also a negative state of mind.

Then we need to think fo a better word to describe it. One that's positive.

**Janszoon** · 08-23-2012, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapevineFires

Yes

No.

Not sure of your point sorry.

It's really not that hard to follow, but let me break it down for you:

Sadness is a negative emotion.
Some movies are sad.
Some of these sad movies are good movies.
Therefore it is obviously possible for a movie to evoke a negative emotion while still being a good movie.

Now let's apply the same logic to depressing music:

Depression is a negative emotion.
Some music is depressing.
Some of this depressing music is good music.
Therefore it is obviously possible for a piece of music to evoke a negative emotion while still being good music.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapevineFires

Then we need to think fo a better word to describe it. One that's positive.

How would that make sense? As I’ve said before, you’re confusing content with artistic quality. They aren’t the same thing. To pick an example from literature: The content of Lord of the Flies is depressing and disturbing, but the artistic quality of the book is excellent. It’s a good book because it expresses what it expresses so well, but what it expresses is definitely quite depressing and disturbing.

GrapevineFires · 08-23-2012, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

It's really not that hard to follow, but let me break it down for you:

Sadness is a negative emotion.
Some movies are sad.
Some of these sad movies are good movies.
Therefore it is obviously possible for a movie to evoke a negative emotion while still being a good movie.

Now let's apply the same logic to depressing music:

Depression is a negative emotion.
Some music is depressing.
Some of this depressing music is good music.
Therefore it is obviously possible for a piece of music to evoke a negative emotion while still being good music.

But you've jumped to the conclusion that the sad movie has made the viewer depressed. Because of it's content.

If this is the case, then that person must be rather unstable - to have his or her entire frame of mind chanegd by a movie.

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How would that make sense? As I’ve said before, you’re confusing content with artistic quality. They aren’t the same thing. To pick an example from literature: The content of Lord of the Flies is depressing and disturbing, but the artistic quality of the book is excellent. It’s a good book because it expresses what it expresses so well, but what it expresses is definitely quite depressing and disturbing.

Right. But my problem is that people use the term "depressing music" as a detrimental term. Hinting that all music that is melanholic is bad. Because depression is bad.

I guess this is just a matter of opinion. Perhaps I am stronger mentally then. Because I've never listened to a song or watched a movie and then though how awful everything is.

**Janszoon** · 08-23-2012, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapevineFires

But you've jumped to the conclusion that the sad movie has made the viewer depressed. Because of it's content.

Actually you're the one who has jumped to that conclusion, not me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapevineFires

Right. But my problem is that people use the term "depressing music" as a detrimental term. Hinting that all music that is melanholic is bad. Because depression is bad.

The only person I've seen doing that so far is you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapevineFires

I guess this is just a matter of opinion. Perhaps I am stronger mentally then. Because I've never listened to a song or watched a movie and then though how awful everything is.

I think the real issue here is probably that you simply don't know what the word "depressing" means.

GrapevineFires · 08-23-2012, 09:43 AM

Well perhaps. Just thought I'd invoke debate.

This isn't the friendliest forum, I must say.

Paedantic Basterd · 08-23-2012, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapevineFires

Well perhaps. Just thought I'd invoke debate.

This isn't the friendliest forum, I must say.

I'm not sure what you expected coming in and making an ill-informed instigating remark.

We just expect our users to be open minded and reasonable, and they see that behaviour returned when they deliver it.

GrapevineFires · 08-23-2012, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedestrian

I'm not sure what you expected coming in and making an ill-informed instigating remark.

We just expect our users to be open minded and reasonable, and they see that behaviour returned when they deliver it.

Apologies for that. Which remark was illinformed and what did it instigate?

08-23-2012, 08:32 AM	#21 (permalink)
Holerbot6000 Music Mutant Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: near a record store Posts: 327	When I hear something like 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' or pretty much anything written by Jim Steinman, or if I have to listen to the braying idiocy of modern country, where some asselope takes yet another jingoistic phrase like 'Don't Count yer Chickens' and turns it into a rollicking tune, when I hear one of those awful American Idol singers flailing away at some pop standard, when I hear music like that, I get depressed. There is no other word for it. Don't tell me music can't be depressing....Would that it were true. __________________ "I'm forever near a stereo saying, 'What the fook is this garbage?' And the answer is always the Red Hot Chili Peppers." - Nick Cave

08-23-2012, 09:43 AM	#28 (permalink)
GrapevineFires Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Wales Posts: 63	Well perhaps. Just thought I'd invoke debate. This isn't the friendliest forum, I must say.