How can music be depressing?

GrapevineFires · 08-23-2012, 07:25 AM

Deserves it's own thread.

I don't udnerstand how a song can be depressing. The only instance surely, is if that particular song kicks off a memory associated with it.

A song in it's own right depressing? Why would music make you feel depressed?

Music is beautiful. Music can be good, bad, indifferent, depending on ones tatse. But why would it invoke a sad or depressed feeling after listening?

Any opinions?

SGR · 08-23-2012, 07:29 AM

A downtempo song can easily be depressing without invoking memories. How can anyone not be depressed when they hear this?

**Janszoon** · 08-23-2012, 07:31 AM

Music, like all art, is a way of expressing feeling. Sometimes that feeling is joyous, sometimes it's angry, sometimes it's excited, sometimes it's depressing. Honestly, if you don't understand this I'm kind of curious why you'd even listen to music at all.

GrapevineFires · 08-23-2012, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoundgardenRocks

How can anyone not be depressed when they hear this?

So your saying that everyone who has just clicked on that and listened, now enters a period feeling depressed?

It might be down tempo, but I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone would listen to that track and be anything other than inspired, uplifted and full of awe at what an amazing song it is.

Unless you just don't liek that type of music, in which case fair enough.

GrapevineFires · 08-23-2012, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

Music, like all art, is a way of expressing feeling. Sometimes that feeling is joyous, sometimes it's angry, sometimes it's excited, sometimes it's depressing. Honestly, if you don't understand this I'm kind of curious why you'd even listen to music at all.

I udnerstand the expression. Of course. But if a songwriter writes a song about being depressed, surely the object is not to make the listener depressed? The object is to write a terrific song.

What I'm getting at is that there is so much music that is dismissed as "depressing" just because it's downbeat, slow or whatever. I think the term is overused and inaccurate.

14232949 · 08-23-2012, 07:38 AM

Because others may be able to relate the song to the feeling of depression.

GrapevineFires; if your mother died it wouldn't mean anything to me. I wouldn't be depressed however the situation would effect you in a different way.

If I hear a particular piece of music and it evokes images of a time, a place and event which is synonymous to me with the feeling of depression, then yes obviously I will feel that emotion.

People react to things in different ways. D'uh.

GrapevineFires · 08-23-2012, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mankycaaant

GrapevineFires; if your mother died it wouldn't mean anything to me. I wouldn't be depressed however the situation would effect you in a different way.

You've clearly not read the opening post.

Quote:

If I hear a particular piece of music and it evokes images of a time, a place and event which is synonymous to me with the feeling of depression, then yes obviously I will feel that emotion.

People react to things in different ways. D'uh.

erm. see above.

**Janszoon** · 08-23-2012, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapevineFires

I udnerstand the expression. Of course. But if a songwriter writes a song about being depressed, surely the object is not to make the listener depressed? The object is to write a terrific song.

I think the object is to create a terrific song that communicates depression. The result is a depressing song, which if it evokes that much emotion, is a powerful piece of art. I think you're confusing subject matter with quality here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapevineFires

What I'm getting at is that there is so much music that is dismissed as "depressing" just because it's downbeat, slow or whatever. I think the term is overused and inaccurate.

I don't think it's a way of dismissing music at all, it's simply a way of describing the mood of the music. There's a lot of music I love which I'd describe as "depressing". That doesn't mean I'm dismissing it, it means I find very emotionally powerful.

TheBig3 · 08-23-2012, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrapevineFires

Deserves it's own thread.

I don't udnerstand how a song can be depressing. The only instance surely, is if that particular song kicks off a memory associated with it.

A song in it's own right depressing? Why would music make you feel depressed?

Music is beautiful. Music can be good, bad, indifferent, depending on ones tatse. But why would it invoke a sad or depressed feeling after listening?

Any opinions?

Theres nothing that says music is depressing, nor is there anything that says music is out of key. Everything is a Western Construct, but to remove music from culture is to make music just noise.

Stephen · 08-23-2012, 07:51 AM

LOL I take it you've never listened to The Smiths.

Seriously though a lot of my favourite music I would describe as melancholy. As much as I enjoy it I also find that if I listen to too much of it I can get lost in it. Admittedly I am prone to depression but to say that there is no inherent sadness in the music would kind of miss the point. I think artists frequently exploit the inherent power in the darker moments of life.

08-23-2012, 07:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
GrapevineFires Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Wales Posts: 63	How can music be depressing? Deserves it's own thread. I don't udnerstand how a song can be depressing. The only instance surely, is if that particular song kicks off a memory associated with it. A song in it's own right depressing? Why would music make you feel depressed? Music is beautiful. Music can be good, bad, indifferent, depending on ones tatse. But why would it invoke a sad or depressed feeling after listening? Any opinions?

08-23-2012, 07:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	Music, like all art, is a way of expressing feeling. Sometimes that feeling is joyous, sometimes it's angry, sometimes it's excited, sometimes it's depressing. Honestly, if you don't understand this I'm kind of curious why you'd even listen to music at all. __________________ 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

08-23-2012, 07:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
SGR No Ice In My Bourbon Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: /dev/null Posts: 4,326	A downtempo song can easily be depressing without invoking memories. How can anyone not be depressed when they hear this?

08-23-2012, 07:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
14232949 The Big Dog Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,989	Because others may be able to relate the song to the feeling of depression. GrapevineFires; if your mother died it wouldn't mean anything to me. I wouldn't be depressed however the situation would effect you in a different way. If I hear a particular piece of music and it evokes images of a time, a place and event which is synonymous to me with the feeling of depression, then yes obviously I will feel that emotion. People react to things in different ways. D'uh.

08-23-2012, 07:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
Stephen I sleep in your hat Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Melbourne, Vic. Aus. Posts: 1,847	LOL I take it you've never listened to The Smiths. Seriously though a lot of my favourite music I would describe as melancholy. As much as I enjoy it I also find that if I listen to too much of it I can get lost in it. Admittedly I am prone to depression but to say that there is no inherent sadness in the music would kind of miss the point. I think artists frequently exploit the inherent power in the darker moments of life.