There is no question that music has a profound effect on listeners. Whether it summons emotions, calls memories, or simply gets you to jiggle your bee-hind, listening to music and indulging in the result is hard-wired into our DNA. In fact, recent research suggests that the areas of the brain in primates (that includes you and me) that process rhythmic patterns used in non-vocal communication (like drumming) and vocal communication are very closely related–possibly helping to explain the genetics involved with our penchant for music.
Well, I don’t need science to tell me that music is a form of communication (it’s in my DNA, remember) although I will admit that there is some comfort in knowing that research can back up what you and I already “know.” The real question is: have we forgotten? Are we ignoring our instincts and dooming the language of Music to antiquity?
Throughout human history, stories have been told, lessons have been taught, territories have been claimed, and prey has been lured with music–as necessary techniques of survival. Ancient civilizations sung history and tradition to educate young citizens, villages were established (or decimated) with songs of triumph and war, and hunters won their prize using tightly rehearsed musical phrases. Now, some may argue that this still holds true today ( i.e. current music celebrities winning their prize using “tightly” rehearsed musical phrases) but the stakes (and prizes) have changed. Everything has changed.
Our current story-telling, lesson-teaching, territory-marking, prey-luring music has been largely reduced to, and increasingly focused on, entertainment. Roughly somewhere between 500 B.C. and John Lennon, the element of music rooted in survival perished completely (I believe Mr. Lennon knew his music and the messages contained within were matters of life and death) but all is not (yet) lost for anyone who hopes that music can be a positive, beautiful influence on this planet as a method of communication. We just have to listen deeper.
I recently read a fascinating article detailing some views of the rock band U2 as revealed in a recent interview. In the article, the band admits that today’s music world is different and that the band needs to meet the difficult challenges in this new world. Band member Adam Clayton explains that the traditional concept of the rock music fan might be “outdated” in this new (digital) age. The band would rather focus on creating complete albums with mood, feeling and an overall message rather than creating just a series of pop hits that can be easily digested by the download-one-song-at-a-time-to-my-iPod pop-music fan.
This is striking to me. As one of the most progressive, in-touch, leading-edge and dare I say “spiritual” bands in existence, U2 would not let this little tidbit fly if they did not believe that something has fundamentally changed and that music artists need to heed the call to respond. I’ve always felt that U2’s music (perhaps more than any other modern rock band) is loaded with significant messages–mostly of hope and triumph–with lyrics that are utterly poetic, unlike much of the lyrics that dominate current pop music.
Is it possible that the vast majority of song lyrics have already run their course (yes, I am an instrumental artist, but please don’t think that automatically makes be biased against lyrics) and everything that can be said, already has been said? Perhaps… except for that which has yet to be said.
Consider another one of my favorite bands, Sigur Ros. Several songs sung by lead singer Jónsi Birgisson are in a language called Hopelandic, a language entirely invented by the band. Whoa. Lyrics that are not meant to be understood by the listener? Take a moment to consider that… What does the song mean? Where’s the poetry and the profound message?
Trust me, the message is there… have a listen to a song by Sigur Ros and see for yourself.
What Sigur Ros focuses on in their music is pure feeling. The listener is free to tell any “story” he or she wishes, but the overall message comes through loud and clear regardless of the listener’s own story. In this case, words (in any known language) would simply get in the way and needlessly direct the listener to a prescribed “story.” Even songs with lyrics sung in their native language convey intense feeling (if you happen to understand Icelandic then you get the added bonus of hearing divine poetry.) Like U2, Sigur Ros creates music to communicate in a way that is understood primarily by our DNA not the VMA.
Ironically, the longer I’m on this planet the more I have an increasingly hard time communicating precisely what I am feeling using the limited constructs of verbal language (living in a country where I am not a native speaker of the language has emphasized this point.) Words often get twisted and there simply aren’t enough words to accurately describe the subtle nuances that occur in human emotional and thought patterns. Throughout my life, music has served as a supplement to my verbal language skills and I now understand that this is they way it is meant to be–it’s in our genes, folks.
So here’s my call to all of us: let’s not forget how to speak the Universal language of Music. In an ever-shrinking, yet expanding world, this is ONE language that we all understand. Our very survival may depend on our ability to bridge divides by communicating in extraordinary ways; with bands like U2 and Sigur Ros on the leading-edge, this is One movement that I am thrilled to get into lock-step with.
