Language is a mediated understanding. It is a natural abstraction of other stuff, like perceiving. Singing is not lingual, even though we may put words in the singing. That is why singers can easily sing in other languaages but cannot speak words without a native accent. So you react to music, which is immediate. Singing is music and is immediate. Words can cetainly be enriching if you get there, but they can also loose their meaning over time, even if you are fluent. Even cavemen like Elgordo can knock their hairy knuckles on the stone floor in appreciation. He is right, this drivel dispairs of 21st century standards such as Hallmark Cards, Bittany and so many others of large audience. Though I envy his rather complete bliss, he would like Robert Musil's passage in "A Man without Qualities" where two young lovers play the 9th, together at the piano, singing those words. The protagonist watches this rediculous performance and thus realizes what drivel those words truly are.
Foreign language songs/music
Recently I have been listening to a bunch of CDs of Chinese genre which a friend has bought for me from Shanghai, China. They are of audiophile quality and their recording is exceptional using tube gear mostly in their process. I do not understand most of what has been sung as they are in mostly in Mandarin but the arrangement, casting of the singers and songs chosen is truly world class. My question is then is it "normal" to enjoy these type of music & songs without understanding what has been sung? IMO it's akin to me listening to an Italian Opera which I do not understand what has been sung as well. In another way, I treat the singer’s voice as another musical instrument. Does anyone have an opinion or experiences?