What are you listening to?

BHelmet said:
I tried very carefully to NOT impose anything on anybody - just a request. Do you understand what a request is? It is not a demand or even a suggestion. Perhaps re-read the above. How many times did I say - do whatever you want? I count 4.
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My apologies BHelmet. My post was definitely an overreaction to what you have written. I see now that you did state a number of times that this was just a request, an idea to spur discussion, which is what we're all about here. If people want to do it, they can. If they don't, no big deal. I'm sorry that misinterpreted your post and said what I did.
 
goyacobol said:
Heimdallr said:
BHelmet said:
So to reiterate and emphasize the free will part of the equation:

I request that everyone who posts here, please give a brief explanation of why anyone should listen; what is the song a reflection of; something; anything! That is just a request. I understand I don't have any right to expect anything and I don't. You can honor this request or not. I don't care if you do or don't; but I would like to ask, anyway.
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Dude, relax. It's music. If you don't want to listen to it, don't. But don't impose your standards on the rest of the forum. I don't even understand why you would wish to force people to do any of those things above. Sometimes a song is just something that is nice to listen to and that's it. There doesn't have to be anything deeper. Just because that is how YOU do things, doesn't mean the rest of us should have to.
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Heimdalr and Bhelmet,

I find Bhelmet's "request" reasonable especially since he added "I don't care if you do or don't". But I suspect he may feeling a little down or disappointed with not having some back and forth discussion in this thread. The Music section has many other outlets/topics we can check out too. I like this one as a quick and easy way to just see what others are interested in from time to time. I think you are right Heimdalr as far as seeing this as a more general and relaxing spot to check out but on the other hand some of the posters here get a bit serious time to time.

Seeing that Bhelmet just made his thoughts known as a "request" that doesn't make him a controlling/predator minded person. I see the point that this is not the "rocket science" of music thread but I think we could all benefit by thinking about Bhelmet's "request". I'll just "relax" now. :whlchair:
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Hi goyacobol - thanks for your thoughtful intervention - just a note - I am neither down nor disappointed. I was just trying to up the ante. But if the What Are You Listening To is just a general place to share without much added, I understand and can easily just let it go. I can post potentially conversation-provoking music-related stuff in some other thread if this one is more of a "Lite" version.
 
Heimdallr said:
BHelmet said:
I tried very carefully to NOT impose anything on anybody - just a request. Do you understand what a request is? It is not a demand or even a suggestion. Perhaps re-read the above. How many times did I say - do whatever you want? I count 4.
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My apologies BHelmet. My post was definitely an overreaction to what you have written. I see now that you did state a number of times that this was just a request, an idea to spurn discussion, which is what we're all about here. If people want to do it, they can. If they don't, no big deal. I'm sorry that misinterpreted your post and said what I did.
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Hey, no worries.
 
skycsil said:
sarahelizabeth said:
skycsil, I am a huge Damian Rice fan. This is one of my all time favourites:

Damian Rice - 9 Crimes

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Thanks, sarahelizabeth! I ussually listen metal music, but I have my girlie days ;D
Here's a beautiful version of one of his songs, performed by one of my favorite female artists:

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That's an awesome take on a beautiful song, skycsil. Love it. I would have to say I like all types of music - except metal. Haha :P



As per BHelmet's request, here is one I'd love to have some discussion around:

Collapse The Light Into Earth by Porcupine Tree


Lyrics:

I won't shiver in the cold
I won't let the shadows take their toll
I won't cover my head in the dark
And I won't forget you when we part

Collapse the Light Into Earth

I won't heal given time
I won't try to change your mind
I won't feel better in the cold light of day
But I wouldn't stop you if you wanted to stay

Collapse the Light Into Earth


This song gives me motivation on the days that seem to be the biggest struggle, which is interesting. The lyrics are somewhat motivational in the first verse, in the second verse they get a little depressing, somehow it's comforting to me. I guess it's got to do with the music building as the song goes on, all I can think is "yeah, I got this!". Thoughts?
 
Hithere said:
The riff intro to Rocks Off is in standard tuning to my ears, but Keef famously plays in open G and it could be that this is played in open tuning as well. :)
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Yes I think that might be it, the dededede is not so hard to make sound similar, but the dodondodon I cant get right.
 
Sometimes I ride quietly with my own thoughts while on my drive to and from work, but the last few days I've been cruising while listening to the Appleseed Collective -- this tune, "Sysiphit is infectious, and the mandolin player just rocks. Today was the first time I've really examined the song titles and lyrics. Since I wasn't familiar with the word, Sysiphit, I looked it up and found some info based in mythology - the song is obviously related, yet I noticed the spelling is inconsistent.

For what it's worth here's the wiki on Sisiphus
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisyphus

...and a link to the album for listening.
https://theappleseedcollective.bandcamp.com/album/baby-to-beast Track 8 - Wonder if that was chosen specifically - as being turned on it's side it's the infinity symbol. Hmmmm.

Never gonna stop pushing that rock...

Symbolically, the story of Sisiphus is a repetitious loop of the same ol' suffering, day in and day out. One interpretation suggest that:
Sisyphus also personifies humanity and its disastrous pursuit of perfection by any means necessary, in which the great rock repeatedly rushing down the mount symbolizes the accelerating pace of unsustainable civilization toward cataclysmic collapse and cultural oblivion that ends each historical age and restarts the sisyphean cycle
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BHelmet said:
Art said:
I would like to elaborate a comment on this one some day. I have been bewitched by this song since long time ago, and I have come-up with some rather unsettling theories about it.

Blinded by the Light
Manfred Mann's Earth Band

- words and music by Bruce Springsteen
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So what are you waiting for? Let's hear your 'take'! You have my curiosity now!

And hey - you don't need to post an mp3 of this - I think it is engraved everyone's brain who was born in the 20th century who is still alive.

And I agree - there is a LOT that is unsettling about this...'thing'.
And a lot unsettling about the fact that it STILL gets airplay.
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BHelmet, I just wanted to add that there is nothing about Bruce Springsteen that would make me want to listen to his music. Maybe it's because I wasn't born in the USA. Personally I have nothing against him, and I wouldn't discourage anyone else from being a fan of his.
I come from a bygone era, (I can remember Gene Autry!) and some of the modern music just turns me cold.
Some of it hurts my ears, and some of it I can't understand the lyrics. Must be old age..
Perhaps it's odd that I called myself MusicMan, but I played hot gospel in church for twenty years, so it comes from that.
 
MusicMan said:
BHelmet said:
Art said:
I would like to elaborate a comment on this one some day. I have been bewitched by this song since long time ago, and I have come-up with some rather unsettling theories about it.

Blinded by the Light
Manfred Mann's Earth Band

- words and music by Bruce Springsteen
Click to expand...

So what are you waiting for? Let's hear your 'take'! You have my curiosity now!

And hey - you don't need to post an mp3 of this - I think it is engraved everyone's brain who was born in the 20th century who is still alive.

And I agree - there is a LOT that is unsettling about this...'thing'.
And a lot unsettling about the fact that it STILL gets airplay.
Click to expand...

BHelmet, I just wanted to add that there is nothing about Bruce Springsteen that would make me want to listen to his music. Maybe it's because I wasn't born in the USA. Personally I have nothing against him, and I wouldn't discourage anyone else from being a fan of his.
I come from a bygone era, (I can remember Gene Autry!) and some of the modern music just turns me cold.
Some of it hurts my ears, and some of it I can't understand the lyrics. Must be old age..
Perhaps it's odd that I called myself MusicMan, but I played hot gospel in church for twenty years, so it comes from that.
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!!

I am not a big fan of BS either and, to be honest, I did not realize he wrote this song until it was posted. I understand the USA thing if you were not born here, although, to be fair, I think he was writing Born in the USA somewhat ironically about poor dumb suckers giving life and limb in Viet Nam for basically nothing more than a patriotic sales job. It was not intended as a pro-USA anthem although it sort of turned out into that kind of soundbite.

As for the singing cowboy - hey I remember too - He owned the old LA Angels baseball club for a while.

Now - back to this bizarre song. I know a LOT of people who found this song to be utterly annoying. So why did it get SO much airplay and rank as the number one song? Why do some songs that just seem to make NO sense get crammed down our throats? I have always wondered about this. So, I was surprised to see someone had thought very deeply about it and I am very curious what they have to say.
 
sarahelizabeth said:
As per BHelmet's request, here is one I'd love to have some discussion around:

Collapse The Light Into Earth by Porcupine Tree


Lyrics:

I won't shiver in the cold
I won't let the shadows take their toll
I won't cover my head in the dark
And I won't forget you when we part

Collapse the Light Into Earth

I won't heal given time
I won't try to change your mind
I won't feel better in the cold light of day
But I wouldn't stop you if you wanted to stay

Collapse the Light Into Earth


This song gives me motivation on the days that seem to be the biggest struggle, which is interesting. The lyrics are somewhat motivational in the first verse, in the second verse they get a little depressing, somehow it's comforting to me. I guess it's got to do with the music building as the song goes on, all I can think is "yeah, I got this!". Thoughts?
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Well, OK, I guess I just better put my money where my mouth is and respond!
Interesting song. the first thing I do is try to get where the singer/writer is 'coming from'. What are they trying to say?
Is the artist aware of what they are trying to say? Are they being guided by some unknown muse?

The hook: Collapse the Light Into Earth
Now this sounds like a beckoning call of the lords of entropy to me from a strictly literal interpretation.
...but it is pronounced Co Lapse. Interesting. Could it reference our own collective light soul collapsing into 3D earthbound existence?

1st verse:
I won't shiver in the cold
I won't let the shadows take their toll
I won't cover my head in the dark

The first 3 lines sounds like positive resistance to negativity.

And I won't forget you when we part.

...a Psychological hook any way you look at it - leave it at that. Perhaps the song is about a relationship? That is the obvious way to look at it.

2nd verse:
I won't heal given time (not all that optimistic - the damage is permanent)
I won't try to change your mind (acceptance)
I won't feel better in the cold light of day (a commitment to pain? a subliminal statement that objective knowledge won't heal the wounds?)
But I wouldn't stop you if you wanted to stay
(this last line - is it a kind of an invitation...to remain in relationship, even if it is dysfunctional or painful?)

On a subliminal level, could it be the Lizzies making a coy, touching Stockholm Syndrome offer for us to stick around?
Yeah - a stretch, I admit.

and then Collapse the Light Into Earth again repeated
and repeated with 9 yards of emotional hooks - the violins, cellos and uplifting, optimistic chords.
The siren song. Press all the aural buttons at once. I guess the easy way to look at it is the old classic: - guy loses love; guy tries to deal with it.

Hey, I don't know. Just some thoughts to kick around as per your asking. I do see the major difference between the 2 verses you noted.

Thanks for sharing.
 
BHelmet said:
Well, OK, I guess I just better put my money where my mouth is and respond!
Interesting song. the first thing I do is try to get where the singer/writer is 'coming from'. What are they trying to say?
Is the artist aware of what they are trying to say? Are they being guided by some unknown muse?

The hook: Collapse the Light Into Earth
Now this sounds like a beckoning call of the lords of entropy to me from a strictly literal interpretation.
...but it is pronounced Co Lapse. Interesting. Could it reference our own collective light soul collapsing into 3D earthbound existence?

1st verse:
I won't shiver in the cold
I won't let the shadows take their toll
I won't cover my head in the dark

The first 3 lines sounds like positive resistance to negativity.

And I won't forget you when we part.

...a Psychological hook any way you look at it - leave it at that. Perhaps the song is about a relationship? That is the obvious way to look at it.

2nd verse:
I won't heal given time (not all that optimistic - the damage is permanent)
I won't try to change your mind (acceptance)
I won't feel better in the cold light of day (a commitment to pain? a subliminal statement that objective knowledge won't heal the wounds?)
But I wouldn't stop you if you wanted to stay
(this last line - is it a kind of an invitation...to remain in relationship, even if it is dysfunctional or painful?)

On a subliminal level, could it be the Lizzies making a coy, touching Stockholm Syndrome offer for us to stick around?
Yeah - a stretch, I admit.

and then Collapse the Light Into Earth again repeated
and repeated with 9 yards of emotional hooks - the violins, cellos and uplifting, optimistic chords.
The siren song. Press all the aural buttons at once. I guess the easy way to look at it is the old classic: - guy loses love; guy tries to deal with it.

Hey, I don't know. Just some thoughts to kick around as per your asking. I do see the major difference between the 2 verses you noted.

Thanks for sharing.
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Lots of very interesting and possible interpretations! I wonder if it's pure laziness or lack of imagination that limits me from thinking this deeply about songs and lyrics day to day.

What gets me most about this song is the 3 distinctly different aspects. Verse 1 is motivating and uplifting while verse 2 is the total opposite, then you have that hook - "Collapse The Light Into Earth", what does this have to do with the rest of the song at all?

If we're thinking that the song is about a relationship (thinking literally), it could be that it's suggesting that we need to surrender the fear and pain, go back to a place of light and be at one with nature. Although I doubt this is the intended meaning, but it has been my interpretation for quite some time.

"Collapse The Light Into Earth" - this line is really getting me thinking.

Dictionary.com defines collapse:
1. To fall or cave in; crumble suddenly
2. To be made so that sections or parts can be folded up, as for convenient storage:
3. To break down; come to nothing; fail:
4. To fall unconscious or as if unconscious or physically depleted, as from a stroke, heart attack, disease, or exhaustion.

Any of these definitions seem like they would be used in negative context. I'm feeling like I've been misinterpreting this song all this time. Really, when I look further into the meaning of the individual words, it seems like I've interpreted it on a very superficial level.
 
Miss.K said:
Intense concentrated beauty from my all time favorite classical superhero Chopin. I like this recording/pianist, both the way he plays, but also that you can hear him breath (it's alive)

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I agree! Paulini is one of my favorites, too!

Another one is Glenn Gould, famous for his Goldberg Variationen but I got to know him via this Beethoven Sonatas - and he also is singing along with the music which gives you a more intense Feeling for the whole Music!

 
sarahelizabeth said:
What gets me most about this song is the 3 distinctly different aspects. Verse 1 is motivating and uplifting while verse 2 is the total opposite, then you have that hook - "Collapse The Light Into Earth", what does this have to do with the rest of the song at all?
Click to expand...
It could refer to the whole spirit collapsing into earth deal: The fall of humanity. Like our spirits are divine LIGHT and EARTH represents the flesh; feet-on-the-ground reality. ("For dust thou art" kinda deal.) So, we have these idealized spirits that make mistakes on the earthly plane. In C's terms: You play in the dirt, you are going to get dirty.

But then there is the Co-Lapse pronunciation - like both the lover and beloved in the song have made mistakes in the relationship and hurt each other. Maybe they both had affairs; were untrue in some way? Maybe they just allowed themselves to drift apart; mutually ran from love.

sarahelizabeth said:
If we're thinking that the song is about a relationship (thinking literally), it could be that it's suggesting that we need to surrender the fear and pain, go back to a place of light and be at one with nature. Although I doubt this is the intended meaning, but it has been my interpretation for quite some time...... I'm feeling like I've been misinterpreting this song all this time. Really, when I look further into the meaning of the individual words, it seems like I've interpreted it on a very superficial level.
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I always find it interesting, if uncomfortable at times, to see my own chosen interpretation that suits my needs and level of understanding of myself and the world at a given stage of development versus actually coming to terms with what is really being said. Sometimes my level of awareness is just not equal to the task or to the level of the performer. Sometimes it is staring me right in the face and I just don't see it. Or, am not ready to see it. Or, I kind of know it but don't want to face it. It is often all about those buffers that keep us from being too shocked all at once so we can still function on our way. Have to gradually strip them away. Perhaps that is a luxury of intentionally working on prying our eyes open. The light does not pour in and cause too much blinding pain all at once as it reveals certain harsh realities. Like taking a small sip of whiskey or cheap tequila as opposed to a big gulp that makes you cough explosively and burns out your guts. Sigh...
 
Two living legends from Africa, representing the male & female vocal tradition, in the beautiful acoustic music style from Mali.

The Best Of Habib Koité & Oumou Sangare (Mali)
_ttps://youtu.be/GKBMTM86Yn0?list=FL4cYONJs4dXCbbLrH4iNCbw
 
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