How can anyone even listen to music???

[Dannyboy1]

I have a huge problem with music these days. Every lyric is a cliché, literally. Listen to almost every song and you'll hear a bunch of clichés. It's awful. Plus, so much of it has a victim mentality "why did you leave me" or they're bitter and hateful "I'm here to remind you of the mess you left when you went away"... It's judgmental, prejudiced, anti-women, anti-men, needy, or just plain stupid (any dance song and most rap) I really can't think of any productive music out there with any originality and I don't want to fill my brain with negative crap. And DJs! Don't get me started on that! Let's just say I'd like to gag them all and slap them silly (take that with a grain of salt) Prank phone calls - all actors - all fake. I know, I get paid to do them. I know, it's hypocritical, but I've got mouths to feed. But the commercials!! They play them more than the songs! It's crazy! I try to listen in the shower... I spend more time leaning out pressing the search button to find music than I spend in the shower! Is anyone with me on this?

[Angela]

Most of the music I listen to is instrumental.

[Dannyboy1]

Originally Posted by Angela

Most of the music I listen to is instrumental.

I don't even know how to go about finding good music. Where do you find your instrumental stuff?

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Dannyboy1

I don't even know how to go about finding good music. Where do you find your instrumental stuff?

My taste is pretty eccentric, and I'm often called a music snob, so I wouldn't bet on anyone else liking what I like. I started off listening to progressive rock and jazz as a teenager, and I would find more and more of it easily because the players would move to or be associated with other bands, and I would just follow all the tendrils of the musicians I liked.

I started off as a kid with Jean-Luc Ponty, Aaron Copland, Dixie Dregs, Genesis, Al Dimeola, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Prokofiev, Frank Zappa, that whole crowd.

Lately I've been listening to Medeski Martin & Wood, John Scofield, The Bad Plus, gypsy music, Pat Metheny Group, and of course the best of the best as far as I'm concerned, the late and wonderful Michael Brecker. Anything by Michael Brecker is a great place to start, because he only he has the best musicians play on his albums, and when you hear someone you like on there, you can be sure to have a great tendril to follow.

[Kaspian]

I prefer orchestral music, though will sometimes listen to piano, string quartet, horn solos, and other instrumental combinations.

Except for They Might Be Giants, who often have silly lyrics, I dislike almost everything that has a drum set and someone singing.

[jawillie]

Since my shift in awareness, I am the same way. Not sure if you will like this or not, (as I do not know what path you are on) but a cd I found and love is here: Dave Carroll Music.com He was inspired by Eckhart Tolle.

I also go instrumental more now.

[Dannyboy1]

Originally Posted by jawillie

Since my shift in awareness, I am the same way. Not sure if you will like this or not, (as I do not know what path you are on) but a cd I found and love is here: Dave Carroll Music.com He was inspired by Eckhart Tolle.

I also go instrumental more now.

It's all pretty good, but the "Now" song is the only one that's totally positive. I bought that one.

[newmark]

If you want to experiment with free classical music, try the BBC website. Go to Radio 3 in their audio section.

[Lauxa]

I wouldn't want to switch to instrumental music, I enjoy singing along too much! I compiled a bunch of uplifting songs and posted on an older thread:

Motivational music?

I don't still like all of those songs, but many are good.

I don't listen to music too much these days. The stuff on the radio is generally not so good and too many commercials, compiling my own playlists is too much time and effort. I like the music at my church, it is generally positive and good to replay in my head throughout the week.

[Dannyboy1]

Originally Posted by Lauxa

I wouldn't want to switch to instrumental music, I enjoy singing along too much! I compiled a bunch of uplifting songs and posted on an older thread:

Motivational music?

I don't still like all of those songs, but many are good.

I don't listen to music too much these days. The stuff on the radio is generally not so good and too many commercials, compiling my own playlists is too much time and effort. I like the music at my church, it is generally positive and good to replay in my head throughout the week.

The problem is, most of the really talented songwriters and singers want to get out their angst and sing popular crap that will make the papparatzi chase them around town. Even the one's that are into self improvement are singing for their audience more than themselves. I've checked out some inspirational music and so many of the people who do this are so amateur that everything is crappy. I'm sure there's some good stuff out there, but it's hard to find.

[chermille]

Well, I will have to explain my point of view about some things you said and with wich I disagree. I hope you will get it
First of all, if there are any english mistakes please understand, I am still learning.

Originally Posted by Dannyboy1

I have a huge problem with music these days. Every lyric is a cliché, literally Listen to almost every song and you'll hear a bunch of clichés. It's awful.

In the first place, what are clichés?

Answers says:
" cliche n.
A trite or overused expression or idea: “Even while the phrase was degenerating to cliché in ordinary public use . . . scholars were giving it increasing attention” (Anthony Brandt)."

Why you give "cliché" a pejorative meaning?

Do new ideas and new ways of thinking really exist? Do you really think you are so different and original? Aren't you aware that humanity is always repeating itself? Do you think your feelings are something new?
No they are not. Hate is a cliché. Love is a cliché. Everything I say, everything you say are clichés. But there is nothing bad about it. We really cannot do anything about it and you know why, because before of us came a huge number of people that actually already expressed, felt the same way as we do. Everything is already "overused".
What makes something sound original is not the fact it is new (because it really isn't), it is the way the artist/person expressed this overused idea, feeling.
You do not invent anything new, you recreate based upon what you know. That is what makes everything a cliché.
So I really cannot agree with you. a cliché is not "awful", clichés are natural and if you don't accept them you will not accept your life.
That is why i simply love clichés

Originally Posted by Dannyboy1

Plus, so much of it has a victim mentality "why did you leave me" or they're bitter and hateful "I'm here to remind you of the mess you left when you went away"... It's judgmental, prejudiced, anti-women, anti-men, needy, or just plain stupid (any dance song and most rap) I really can't think of any productive music out there with any originality and I don't want to fill my brain with negative crap.

Aren't you like that sometimes? I am. I thought music was written by plain mortals, not gods or anything.
How can a normal person create something really supperior? No way. Everything you hear around you has all this human flaws you condemn.

So, it is ok if you don't like music and all its "banalities", it is just that you would want something supperior that is impossible to get. Do not misunderstand my point of view. I am sixteen but am too a "music snob". I am very difficult with my choices. However, I can't doom all music because I think it is "cliché" or because it expresses normal human feelings. I really cannot think of me as so supperior...
In another way of thinking, I cannot bare all of the "commercial music", simply because I consider it as an insult for my intelligence. By commercial music I do not mean "cliché", I mean without artistic value, in my point of view, of course.
And considering the instrumental music, it really is more easy to run away of the "commercial music", due to the fact it is harder to play very well an instrument than to sing some words. However, instrumental music is also the reflection of human feelings and thoughts. If you still can't bare clichés you should stay away from it too.

I hope you will understand

[Dannyboy1]

Originally Posted by chermille

Well, I will have to explain my point of view about some things you said and with wich I disagree. I hope you will get it
First of all, if there are any english mistakes please understand, I am still learning.



In the first place, what are clichés?

Answers says:
" cliche n.
A trite or overused expression or idea: “Even while the phrase was degenerating to cliché in ordinary public use . . . scholars were giving it increasing attention” (Anthony Brandt)."

Why you give "cliché" a pejorative meaning?

Do new ideas and new ways of thinking really exist? Do you really think you are so different and original? Aren't you aware that humanity is always repeating itself? Do you think your feelings are something new?
No they are not. Hate is a cliché. Love is a cliché. Everything I say, everything you say are clichés. But there is nothing bad about it. We really cannot do anything about it and you know why, because before of us came a huge number of people that actually already expressed, felt the same way as we do. Everything is already "overused".
What makes something sound original is not the fact it is new (because it really isn't), it is the way the artist/person expressed this overused idea, feeling.
You do not invent anything new, you recreate based upon what you know. That is what makes everything a cliché.
So I really cannot agree with you. a cliché is not "awful", clichés are natural and if you don't accept them you will not accept your life.
That is why i simply love clichés



Aren't you like that sometimes? I am. I thought music was written by plain mortals, not gods or anything.
How can a normal person create something really supperior? No way. Everything you hear around you has all this human flaws you condemn.

So, it is ok if you don't like music and all its "banalities", it is just that you would want something supperior that is impossible to get. Do not misunderstand my point of view. I am sixteen but am too a "music snob". I am very difficult with my choices. However, I can't doom all music because I think it is "cliché" or because it expresses normal human feelings. I really cannot think of me as so supperior...
In another way of thinking, I cannot bare all of the "commercial music", simply because I consider it as an insult for my intelligence. By commercial music I do not mean "cliché", I mean without artistic value, in my point of view, of course.
And considering the instrumental music, it really is more easy to run away of the "commercial music", due to the fact it is harder to play very well an instrument than to sing some words. However, instrumental music is also the reflection of human feelings and thoughts. If you still can't bare clichés you should stay away from it too.

I hope you will understand

But, when I say cliche, I mean they're actually using sayings and expressions that are so overused, it would be plagerism if anybody owned them. I don't want to hear a song that says things the same way as every other song. At least go a little deeper. Use your own words, if you even have them. I mean, it's like they bought a book of sayings and picked a bunch of them that rhymed. It's ridiculous. They call themselves artists. Not at all. True artists create something new. Something that hasn't ever quite been put that way or something that brings new insight or goes deeper. No songs today even come close to being art.

Secondly, I don't want to hear whining or hateful things just for the sake of it. Go deeper into the feelings and work through them in the song. I don't want to hear, "yo ♥♥♥♥♥" or "stop hurting me". That's an immature child talking. Don't write a song about giving up, just give up writing songs. I'd rather hear about songs of growth and learning though pain than just "I hurt. I hurt. I hurt." Go hurt somewhere else. Stop infecting my ears with your garbage.

[pianoperformer]

I agree Dannyboy1.

I listen to classical. Perhaps check out some stuff by Saint-Saëns. He's amazing.

[Jakob]

I am a music fanatic.

With that in mind, check out this site for new music:

Muxtape


You'll find lots of "underground" indie pop here... some really good stuff. It's also really fun to just listen to different bands this way - no searching or thinking involved!

-Ben

[Captain Cloudchaser]

I listen to video game music, I'll admit I am very ignorant when it comes to today's music and generally don't listen to the radio or music on TV. I have my own music, and that is good enough for me ^^

[Tigerlilly]

Originally Posted by Dannyboy1

No songs today even come close to being art.

I usually listen to older songs, if not instrumental music, and have to agree that lots of what's out there as far as music goes isn't the kind of creative art that expands your horizon, but that goes for creative arts as a whole, most of the stuff out there is just the most simple-minded entertainment. Yet, some music out there I think is worth being titled real art. When I first listened to Goldfrapp's Felt Mountain it was a new experience for my ears. And there's lots of this good stuff out there, you just need to go hunting for it, cause more often than not it'll not make it to main stream.

[Rockchick26]

Originally Posted by Dannyboy1

I have a huge problem with music these days. Every lyric is a cliché, literally. Listen to almost every song and you'll hear a bunch of clichés. It's awful. Plus, so much of it has a victim mentality "why did you leave me" or they're bitter and hateful "I'm here to remind you of the mess you left when you went away"... It's judgmental, prejudiced, anti-women, anti-men, needy

Not all music is negative. But there is a difference between negative and venting your feelings. Music is expression,would you rather have these people hurting others? People can relate to lyrics like this too,thats why its so popular.

or just plain stupid (any dance song and most rap)

what makes dance songs stupid? I think anything that makes you dance is excellent,thats why music is so healing for us. Rap,i agree with you there cuz most rap i've heard is derogatory and negative in ways that are not thereaputic.

I really can't think of any productive music out there with any originality and I don't want to fill my brain with negative crap.

well what kind of music DO you like? just branch out from there. There are all kinds of positive inspirational unique artists out there.

And DJs! Don't get me started on that! Let's just say I'd like to gag them all and slap them silly (take that with a grain of salt)

What do you have against DJ's? They just mix songs together and make them more dance-able. I am not a fan of dance mixes that much either but it does have a purpose.

[Trezker]

Now playing: Possessed by Satyricon from Volcano
(They call this genre Black Metal)

"Defaming judgement
upon the starving souls
mourning self-made pestilence
Cannon fodder for the
apocalypse"

Going away from mainstream will certainly shake things up. You don't have to listen to metal, but you should at least avoid anything that "everyone else" listens to according to marketing.

Go to Jamendo : Home and get some music with foreign lyrics. At least you wont understand anything... I've found some really nice stuff from that site.

[watterman]

Productive music? I dont think music is here to be "productive", music should shine with emotions, it should has inspiration text.
But whats true is, that many artists sing only about love, hapinnes, etc...

Because their music have to interest the most people as it can.
And many people including me like good melody, because when i am doing something, I dont notice text, but only melody...

So for me music should have in first place: nice melody, then it should be relaxing (no electronic music "evil") and 3rd place: motivational text.

Good text i found only by some rap artists (but they sing most about alcohol, drogs, gangs, party and such things).

So I dont know what to imagine by "productive music"?

Btw. I am new here! And I am from the Czech republic, so i hope, that my english isnt so bad?

[danman85]

I like classical music the best, and all other types of music as well, but i try to stay out of the mainstream. Underground and independent labels of any genre is usually trillions times better (in my opinion) than what's popular. A lot of music today out there is not simply for the art; it's to sell, or market something, or to accompany an idea. Versatility is one of the greatest qualities of music, but unfortunately, there's gonna be some crap out there. There's nothing better than exploration.

[Akashic_Librarian]

I love all types of music, from Classical pieces like Blue Danube or Also Sprach Zarathustra to Space-Rock-Opera's like Arjen Luccason's Ayreon, and even some modern stuff, I like REM, I like Metallica, I like Nerina Pallot and My Chemical Romance.

I find it's not so much about the type of music, its more about if that song speaks to me in a way that I find valuable.

[Dannyboy1]

Originally Posted by watterman

Productive music? I dont think music is here to be "productive", music should shine with emotions, it should has inspiration text.
But whats true is, that many artists sing only about love, hapinnes, etc...

Because their music have to interest the most people as it can.
And many people including me like good melody, because when i am doing something, I dont notice text, but only melody...

So for me music should have in first place: nice melody, then it should be relaxing (no electronic music "evil") and 3rd place: motivational text.

Good text i found only by some rap artists (but they sing most about alcohol, drogs, gangs, party and such things).

So I dont know what to imagine by "productive music"?

Btw. I am new here! And I am from the Czech republic, so i hope, that my english isnt so bad?

I mean, music that doesn't push hate, but growth.

[carenkh]

Check out Jim Offerman!

I don't listen to most pop music, but my sons do. I'm often surprised by the wisdom and feeling of some of the songs - there IS some good stuff out there.

I also go see local singer/songwriters - their stuff is generally not on the radio, but it is often heartfelt and moving. I listen to WNCW (you can listen online) during the week - they play many independent singers and bands. That's where I first heard Toubab Krewe and Madeleine Peyroux. They have a different playlist on the weekends.

Like chermille said, sometimes a song that's about heartbreak or new love or whatever just resonates, 'cause that's where you are... like Jackson Browne's "Everywhere I Go" (click on that title) - he's not really saying anything new, but if you hear that song when you're falling in love... he caught it. He caught that feeling perfectly. It's a combination of lyrics, rhythm, tone...

[ilovetoday]

I agree danny

Since I have realised the power of self talk and found the idea of mind movies with music that makes you feel in the background I started thinking of how all the negative songs we listen to can hardly be helpful in attracting good things. Feeling and imagining the lyrics-thinking of LOA- songs that i use to love on heartbreak and other negatives in life I have now cut out of my ipod. I still listen to a little bit of pop/charts music but it has have positive lyrics and also has to be very uplifting for me. I love old school music like New york new york, The Glenn Miller Band, Mac The Knife.

[Dannyboy1]

Originally Posted by Rockchick26

Not all music is negative. But there is a difference between negative and venting your feelings. Music is expression,would you rather have these people hurting others? People can relate to lyrics like this too,thats why its so popular.



what makes dance songs stupid? I think anything that makes you dance is excellent,thats why music is so healing for us. Rap,i agree with you there cuz most rap i've heard is derogatory and negative in ways that are not thereaputic.



well what kind of music DO you like? just branch out from there. There are all kinds of positive inspirational unique artists out there.



What do you have against DJ's? They just mix songs together and make them more dance-able. I am not a fan of dance mixes that much either but it does have a purpose.

"That's my ****" is a perfect example of a stupid dance song. Just plain stupid. You're really saying if they weren't writing these songs, they'd be out hurting people? I don't even know where you got that from. No. I wouldn't rather they did that and I never said I did. When I say DJs I'm talking about radio jocks. I really don't want to hear about their sophomoric crap. I just want to hear the songs.

[paeterus]

I listen to trance, dance, chill out, classical, foreign languages,and other such music. You don't have to listen to trashy pop songs, there are other genres out there that are no about clichés, i hate those "damn I'm an idiot for cheating on you please take me back coz i gots a six pack and all that in ya face ma sexy biatch girl I wanna tap yo' fine hiney oh yeh you will take me back coz i be all hot and you want all my money coz im a rich singer and i can buy you things and thats all you care about because you're just a materialistic *beeeeep* "

that stuff isn't for me.

[Tigerlilly]

Originally Posted by paeterus

I listen to trance, dance, chill out, classical, foreign languages,and other such music. You don't have to listen to trashy pop songs, there are other genres out there that are no about clichés, i hate those "damn I'm an idiot for cheating on you please take me back coz i gots a six pack and all that in ya face ma sexy biatch girl I wanna tap yo' fine hiney oh yeh you will take me back coz i be all hot and you want all my money coz im a rich singer and i can buy you things and thats all you care about because you're just a materialistic *beeeeep* "

that stuff isn't for me.

Lol. There's sure a lot of THAT out there.

But then you know, not all pop songs are trash. I had the time of my life watching the video to Pink's Stupid Girls, and then at least if you speak and understand a bit of German, there's people like Grönemeyer out there, whose lyrics really are inspirational.

[gwennolan]

I am brand new here, so Hi, everyone! Hope it's okay for a newbie to offer a suggestion...

I was attracted to this forum because I am definitely working to increase my Personal Effectiveness and looking forward to getting to know others who are on the same path. I love music and couldn't resist responding on this thread.

I must agree with most of the opinions you all express about today's music but also freely admit that I only hear it when my kids insist on "their air time" in the car, lol. I love music which inspires and uplifts and raises my vibration to a higher level. That of course is very individual.

I would like to share a technique I learned by being a "product of the product" and working through an amazing prosperity development course which I market. I utilize this technique regularly and it has increased my effectiveness a great deal. It comes from one of the teachers on the course, Daryl Davis, who plays the piano for Chuck Berry. Daryl is an amazing musician and also an amazing teacher of personal development.

He said, "What if we could align both sides of our brain? Would that give us more options from which to draw? Absolutely. One way to achieve alignment is through Baroque music. Its counterpoint is so perfect that, when listened to, both sides of the human brain align themselves with each other. Rock'n'Roll favors the right side of the brain and Classical music favors the left. Baroque music brings both sides together, where logic and creativity meet in the middle."

Baroque music describes an era and a set of styles of European classical music which were in widespread use between 1600 and 1750. There are many great examples of Baroque music. J.S. Bach was the master of the Baroque and any of his fugues will do. Also, the Hallelujah Chorus of Handel's Messiah, Vivaldi's Four Seasons and Monteverdi's Vespers are all very fine examples of Baroque music.

So I would suggest, listen to a few pieces of Baroque music to find one or more that resonates with you and play that for 15 minutes or so every day while you meditate or creatively visualize your goals. This technique has been a powerful assistance to me and hopefully will be to you as well!

Blessings to all!

[Remiel]

hehe the lyrics and whatnot are why I primarily listen to classical music.

[Mremedia]

Check out the Buddha Bar cd series for a great (eclectic) collection of music from many genres and cultures.

While I tend to also shy away from mainstream music, and major label artists, I'm probably not the best person to talk about negativity in music, since I mostly listen to really angry metal. My wife often asks me how I can go to sleep wearing my ipod and playing music like Devildriver or Dethklok (hehe.. Dethklok!), but really.. I have no idea. I just like the intricacies of the fast music.