Published by JPLand on 27 Aug 2010 at 01:32 pm
My Taste is Better than Yours
Editor’s Note: After clicking “publish” on this post, I ran across this article about music and the human body. The final line of the article seems very appropriate - “ ‘Our bodies,’ Dr. Kraus concluded, ‘are made to be moved by music and move to it.’ ”
One of the things that I’m very passionate about, but rarely blog about is music. It’s really a tough subject to talk about. Everyone feels like they have to one-up your suggestion or rave about their own tastes. If you ever disagree with someone’s musical tastes, they act like you have stabbed them in the face and insulted their family.
So please allow me to stab you in the face and insult your family by suggesting that your taste in music in inferior to mine. I am one of the millions that claims to have an eclectic taste in music. But that never includes heavy metal, gangsta rap, or grunge. My likes and dislikes are typically regardless of the genre. Take country music for example. I love a good, clean, powerful voice like Martina McBride but I can’t stand the twangy style of Kenny Chesney or people like that. (See what I mean? If you like him, you should take this as an insult.)
It’s nearly impossible to explain what it is about really good music that draws me in. Harry Connick Jr’s big band, Keith Urban’s lyrics, John Mayer’s guitar, tight harmony, clean acoustic guitar, rhythmic piano. I know the music that I love and hearing it makes me excited. It completely changes my mood. I know what I don’t like and no matter how much you explain it to me, it will never make me change my opinion. Likewise, if you’re not a fan of Keith Urban, my explanation of his harmonic guitar playing won’t change your mind.
All of that to ask this question:
Are religious views similar to musical tastes?
Queen Kelley on 18 Sep 2010 at 7:21 am #
I think in some cases, yes! Religious views are similar to musical tastes. That is, we tend to listen to the music we hear growing up–that of our parents, then that of our friends. At some point, we begin to hear other tunes, and we either refuse to keep them on because we’ve heard they aren’t appropriate or are inferior, or we let our souls gravitate to what moves us. Those of us who are willing to give unfamiliar music a try often learn that it’s what we’ve craved all along and that nothing soothes, inspires, or motivates us like that particular style/musician. I certainly think all of this parallels the religious experiences of many people. Don’t you?