Do you ever wonder what an arduous task it is to listen to the music and understand the complexity of it? Just as Walker Percy implies in his essay "The Loss of the Creature," people generally tend to divide into two categories when it comes to viewing the issues of life. We have the "common" individuals who notice the complexity of the matters, but who interpret it in superficial ways, and we have the "complex" individuals who tear through the outer layer and look to find the answers to their questions (Percy . It was not until I remembered an event which took place a few years ago, that I started to apply this simple-sounding division to a process of enjoying the splendor of music.
I was sixteen at the time, tired of the difficulty of life, and the monotony of the gray colored everyday existence. Being trapped in the middle of the teenage years seems trivial, and somewhat insignificant now that I understand that the infamous "struggle" is in fact something which makes life worth living. Nevertheless, at the time of my sweet sixteen I was dissatisfied with the organized routine of my life, and seriously broken-hearted. I remember aimlessly wandering the streets one rainy evening. I never imagined that the weak sound coming from an open window of an apartment complex, and desperately trying to tear its way through the curtain of rain would, in fact, later become my ultimate discovery of the real meaning of music. I stood in the pouring rain mesmerized by something that touched my soul, after tearing through the layer of "normality." It was a rock song. Rock, but different in some way – a mixture of ethereal mysticism, magic and strength.
It was for the first time that I started looking for complexity in music, not only for...
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...e, needed to go on in the hearts of those who loved his music. "My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies," Freddie sang. This is exactly the portrait he left in the minds of his fans. He transferred me into the world of magic and fairytales, and this is what almost everyone of us needs from time to time. A break from reality and real life. Things like that help us all retain sanity on the little stranded islands of loneliness, in the sea of people, worries, and everyday problems. Until I arrive on the sandy beach, with a precious disc tucked under my arm, wish me luck…
Work Cited
Marcus, Greil, eds. Stranded: Rock and Roll for a Desert Island. New York: Da Capo Press, 1996.
Dean, Ken. Queen. Krakow: Wydawnictwo "Rock-Serwis", 1992.
Percy, Walker. "The Loss of the Creature." The Message in the Bottle. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1975: 46-63.
... themes of individualism and alienation. The chief value of living with music lies in its power to give us an orientation in time. In doing so, it gives connotation to all those indefinable aspects of experience which nevertheless helps us make what we are.
Music can be traced back into human history to prehistoric eras. To this day archeologists uncover fragments of ancient instruments as well as tablets with carved lyrics buried alongside prominent leaders and highly influential people. This serves as a testament to the importance and power of music, as well as its influence in society. Over its many years of existence, music’s powerful invocation of feelings has allowed it to evolve and serve many purposes, one being inspiring change. American journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson once said, “Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of fuel. Sentimental people call it inspiration, but what they really mean is fuel.” This fuel is the very things that powers the influence of Rock ‘n’ Roll on American society, that author Glenn C. Altschuler writes about in his book, “All Shook Up – How Rock ‘n’ Roll Changed America.” Between 1945 and 1965 Rock ‘n’ Roll transformed American society and culture by helping to ease racial integration and launch a sexual revolution while most importantly developing an intergenerational identity.
If one were to look back into the world’s history, one would find that an important and consistent element is the world of music. Music has presented itself in various forms throughout its spread and through our identification of its magical realm, people have been fortunate enough to come across a means of relation. Whether it is blues and reggae or rap and pop rock, there is music out there for everyone. Music can serve as a stabilizer for some, a relaxant to others, and to many a form of inspiration.
American law enforcement has made drug enforcement one of its highest priorities for almost forty years. However, more people than ever are beginning to question the true benefits of the Drug War. The President of the United States, Barack Obama has even referred to the Drug War as an “utter failure” in the YouTube video “Barack Obama on Marijuana Decriminalization (2004).” These kinds of negative opinions on the Drug War are not unjustified. The Drug War has cost Americans 33 billion dollars and countless lives (Miron Par. 1). The Drug War is a poor alternative to combat drug use in America as evidenced by the history of Prohibition, the crime it creates, the harmful effects it has on the lives of users, and the numerous deaths it results in. The Drug War is a failed policy and the government must respond by legalizing all recreational drugs.
There has yet to be a culture discovered which lacks music. Making music is seen historically to be as fundamental as the characteristically human activities as drawing and painting. Many even go so far as to compare music to language and claim that music functions as a "universal language." But it is rarely the same music, however, that all peoples respond to. What is it that we are responding to when we listen to music? Strictly speaking, music is not a language, (1) because it has neither outside referents nor easily detectable meaning. Ludwig Wittgenstein explains that although we understand music in a similar way as we understand language, music is not a language because we still cannot communicate through music as we can through language. (2) More recently, Susanne Langer argues that although we understand music as symbol, because we are so caught up in seeing symbolic form function like language we tend to want to make music into a language. But, Langer argues, music is not a kind of language (3) because the significance of music lies not in w...
At First the article Touches on the questioning of what Faust is. In summery, Faust is the protagonist of an old German story about a guy who is actually really successful, but at the same time is somewhat dissatisfied with his life life. He had a serious lust for earthly happiness, alo...
President’s Drug Policy (2004). National Drug Control Strategy. Retrieved on April 13, 2005 from www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov
Sometimes individuals consider becoming counselors after overcoming some major life challenge such as addiction or a history of bad relationships. Perhaps an individual has encountered a particularly effective counselor or therapist and has a desire to follow in those footsteps. Others may have had a bad experience with counseling and concluded that it can be done better. People do not think of this work so much as a job, or even as a career. More typically, a constellation of life experiences that demand explanation and a sense that others seek one out for assistance and emotional sustenance become driving forces leading one toward the counseling profession” (An invitation to). .
Manchikanti, Laxmaiah. “National Drug Control Policy and Prescription Drug Abuse: Facts and Fallacies.” Pain Physician Journal 10 (May 2011): 399-424. Print.
Research indicates the relationship between horizontal violence and the burn out rate of registered nurses to be epistemologically significant due to a determined prevalence of nonphysical violence in the health care setting and the potential nature, severity and ubiquitous state of its prospective consequences. This systematic review will examine the aforementioned phenomenon in further detail with a focus on specific implications, if any, on the burn out rate of registered nurses.
... of individuals competing for low-skilled jobs. At the same time, developed countries have decreasing birthrates and are not able to replace the labor force and as Westernized civilizations focus unskilled labor has moved to industrializing nations in Asia. Tell me what can happen in the future/long-term effects of this…
Brian May and Roger Taylor, in 1970, set the wheels in motion for Queen when they decided to form a band during their college years. Queen started out as a band called Smile who signed with Mercury Records, and included: Tim Staffell, Brian May, and Roger Taylor. Once Tim Staffell left, the group added Freddie Mercury (lead singer) and bassist John Deacon. Freddie Mercury, Farrokh Bulsara, was a fan of Smile and was added on as the lead vocalist. John Deacon began as a young guitarist who was a member of the group called The Opposition. This band was composed of a group of friends, and they were influenced by groups such as The Hollies and Herman’s Hermits. Eventually, Deacon was added to the group that already included Mercury, Taylor, and May. Over time, the group changed their name to Queen. The name Queen was selected by Mercury, and this name is symbolic of power and regality. The addition of Mercury proved to be an essential aspect to the history of Queen’s success. In Queen: The Early Years, Hodkinson writes, “much of what made Freddie also defined Queen: without him they were merely a model rock band with a bent for a commercial tune” (2). The group became well known for their theatrical performances and costumes that were often over the top. “From their international breakthrough in 1976, Queen continually remained one of the best-selling rock acts worldwide beyond Mercury's death in 1991. Their total record sales are estimated at up to 300 million records” (Desler 391). This group was important to the evolution of music and music performance in bands that were to follow them.
The Romanticism period is marked by changes in societal beliefs as a rejection of the values and scientific thought pursued during the Age of Enlightenment. During this period, art, music, and literature are seen as high achievement, rather than the science and logic previously held in esteem. Nature is a profound subject in the art and literature and is viewed as a powerful force. Searching for the meaning of self becomes a noble quest to undertake. In the dramatic tragedy of “Faust” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, we find a masterpiece of Romanticism writing that includes the concepts that man is essentially good, the snare of pride, and dealing with the supernatural.
Lily B. Campbell. “Doctor Faustus: A Case of Conscience.” PMLA 67.2 (Mar. 1952): 219-239. Modern Language Association. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.
After the show had ended, I felt slightly empty. I had waited years and months for that night, and it was over in the blink of an eye. Although I was sad that the show was over, I felt completely content. Now, when I hear their songs, I get to remember what it felt like to hear the band perform them live. I can watch the videos and try to wrap my mind around how it was real. Going to my first concert was an unparalleled experience that I will always cherish. The ambiance, the band’s performance and the unity the audience