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Josh C
  • Josh C
  • New York, NY
  • United States

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What kind of music speaks to you?

Which genre or type of music deeply impacts the way you act and how you look at life? What music formed and continues to affect your perceptions and outlooks that shape your identity? What touches your soul and causes just the right emotions to emerge?

I'd say that your musical taste was primarily formed from your surrounding culture and environment. But I'm interested in why a certain type or genre speaks to you. For example, maybe listening to some sort of African tribal music opens up a philosophical understanding that enables you to feel connected and rooted in a spiritual way to your African origins and ancestors.

What music speaks to YOU and why?

Topics: culture identity music
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    Kevin Jacobson

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    Jun 25 2012: Anything with a nice beat that catches my attention and "grabs a hold of it" is a good song to me. Whether it's country, classical, rock, rap, electronic hip hop ect. As long as it has a good beat, I'm fine. Well, I guess this doesn't apply to rap since it is the most inappropriate and awful music ever conceived of by man kind.
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    Allan Macdougall 30+

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    Jun 25 2012: I was brought up on a diet of Celtic music (among others), which was - and still is - a genre of music that speaks to something deep inside. Although a Breton musician, Alan Stivell's album 'Renaissance of the Celtic Harp' still has the power to transport me to my roots in Scotland.

    I listen to music that matches or enhances my mood - even if that mood is down or melancholic. The music must have that matching quality for it to have the power to be 'with me' at that particular time, rather than being discordant with it.

    Much as I love African tribal music, I'm not so sure the connection goes back that far for me. I particularly enjoy music played on the African Kora, but that might be because its sound is similar to the Celtic Harp.
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      Josh C

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      Jun 25 2012: VERY interesting response. That's primarily why I asked the question (and why I love the TED community), because there is such a great diversity of people to share their stories and values. It opens up my eyes to so many great things, including music in this case. Thank you so much for introducing me to that beautiful album by Alan Stivell. What a wonderful work of art. Scotland, by the way, is number one on my list of countries to visit. I have no roots there, but for some reason I've always felt a sort of attachment to its music, culture, and overall geography. I hope I have the privilege of visiting soon!
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        Allan Macdougall 30+

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        Jun 26 2012: Hi Josh. You might like this too:

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfusxHokCDg

        The haunting music of Gustavo Santaolalla - music and landscape working beautifully together
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          Josh C

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          Jun 26 2012: Yes! Absolutely. Beautiful music, and as a side note I'm a huge fan of film scores and I noticed that this has been used in a few movies over the past decade or so including "Babel". If you have any more recommendations, I'd be delighted to hear them!
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      Debra Smith 200+

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      Jun 28 2012: Love Celtic as well! Thanks for reminding me!
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    Debra Smith 200+

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    Jun 25 2012: Good music in every genre appeals to me and good usually has to do with the words.
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      Josh C

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      Jun 25 2012: I'm glad you have an eclectic taste in music. Is there a specific genre or even artist that holds a special place in your heart due to its history with you, your family, or your culture? What do you love about the words in music? Is it the poetry? The way it flows? Do you not listen to jazz or classical because they don't contain spoken words?
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        Debra Smith 200+

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        Jun 26 2012: HI JOsh!~ I have been having trouble logging on or I woud have responded sooner. I love classical and blues and especially Spanish guitar without words when i am reading - most of the time or working because the words highjack my mind. Surprisingly enough (and I think it indicates my slow development in my own sexuality) I am partial to Shakira and Beyonce and Lady Antebellum and Yo Yo Ma and Lyle Lovett and Roy Orbison and..............I am just learning.
        I am attendcing the Met Opera series when I can at the Cineplex Odeon. While I was married i listrnrd to his music and did not develope my own taste. My mother only listened to talk radio.
        The words strike me deeply with their meaning.
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          Josh C

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          Jun 27 2012: Well, it's never too late to develop your own taste! There's so much great music to be discovered. I also love Spanish guitar and blues. Classical is interesting as well. By the way, Roy Orbison has such an incredible voice. I love his music too. Oh, and if the words have such an impact on you, maybe you should try poetry? Just a thought. Anyway, thanks for sharing!
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