"You've got to be carefully taught" from South Pacific
Some Musical Truths
Music, at least at its best, is an expression of human truths. These truths span time, location and cultures. Here's some truths I have found from listening to music.
What truths have you found?
someone left the cake out in the rain...and I'll never have that recipe again
The night time is the right time
Everybody's got something to hide except for me and my monkey
Tuesday's just as bad
20 years of schooling and they put you on the day shift
Now's the time
What truths have you found?
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Oh so many. If you go away on a summer day then you might as well take the sun away. Really, its endless, this list, but I concur, many truths are found in lyrics. One former gf often criticized me for stating situations with appropriate lyrics. Why re-invent the perfect? My mind is racing from Merle Haggard to John Lennon, and of course Townes in there to, and then there is... |
Head bone connected from the neck bone Neck bone connected from the shoulder bone Shoulder bone connected from the back bone Back bone connected from the hip bone Hip bone connected from the thigh bone Thigh bone connected from the knee bone Knee bone connected from the shin bone Shin bone connected from the ankle bone Ankle bone connected from the heel bone Heel bone connected from the foot bone Foot bone connected from the toe bone |
John (Roxy54), I agree, except that some of the examples cited in the OP leave me uncertain as to whether the introductory sentences in his post were said tongue-in-cheek, or not. And that his intent therefore may have been to inspire the kinds of responses you referred to. In any event, based on a serious interpretation of that post, my answer is as follows: To me, the most all encompassing musical expression of human truths is represented by Symphony No. 1 of Johannes Brahms. It is not readily stated in words, however. Best regards, -- Al |
Al, Yes, I also wondered if the OP's choices were meant to be serious, humorous or a mixture of both. I agree with you and Nonoise that what we experience when listening to music is at times too transcendent for verbal description. Al, because I respect your opinion, I am going to make a point of purchasing that symphony ASAP. Please tell me which version you prefer. I am all digital, so it will need to be a CD. Thanks to both of you for your positive words. |
Thanks John (Roxy54). Taking into account both performance and sonics, I would suggest Chesky CD19, which is a CD remastering of a 1962(!) recording of Jascha Horenstein conducting the London Symphony Orchestra. It is out of print, but as you'll see at the link it is available both new and used from a number of sellers, albeit at a price. Enjoy! Best regards, -- Al |
My initial response to Roxy54 was "Why so serious?". But let me give a serious response to his comments. Firstly, truth is hard to pin down and have even a majority agree upon. I intended my remarks to pertain only to subjective truths. If it makes sense to you, then everybody else be damned since it's your truth. Secondly, if the observation that the heart of comedy is cruelty, then I would say most truths have an element of comedy within. You learn that you can laugh at yourself even in bad times. Thirdly, an explanation of the specific truths I cited: - Macarthur Park is a song about a bad lovers' breakup. The cake is his love and affection for another person and that person spurned him and left the cake out in the rain. There's a real poignancy to never having the recipe again. Do you think you'll ever fall in love again? - Ray Charles said it so it must be true! When is it ever not the right time? Seal even said doing it in daylight is the latest craze. - I have no idea what Lennon meant, but it sounds cool and it could even be true. Should I have said "Happiness is a warm gun"? - If you've ever experienced true loss and pain, then you'll know why Wednesday's worst and Thursday's also sad. Lawd have mercy on me! - Pink Floyd takes whole albums to say what Dylan said in a single line. - The Charlie Parker tune is an instrumental, yet it clearly speaks to a truth. It also references the earlier mentioned Ray Charles song. Music is very personally and at the same time it's something we share. I thank everybody for sharing some of their truths. |