Miswanderlust
Ann 1Which Came First The Music or the Mood
February 29th 2008 04:57
Music often is just the background hiss to our daily walk, it fills the silences of the day coating the noise of life with a layer that absorbs and to a certain extent cocoons us from auditory overload. Most of the time this forms just a noise filtering sounds of life that would otherwise distract and occupy, for many, too much of our collective attention.
A dance/nightclub without music would be less than it should be, just as a bar without music would possibly just be people drinking forced to converse at a level more accurately refered to as normal and without the need to shout. Watching a movie is enhanced by the soundtrack, when it is such that we actually hear it over the action, dialog and the visual flash of the screen entertainment, the music is carefully (as far as royalties and rights allow) chosen to compliment the scene and be mood enhancing...it is chosen simply for the empathetic response it will garner from most viewers. It help creates the mood.
Does the music perpetuate or create/inspire the mood, or does our mood dictate the type of music we really chose to listen too? Do we play happy music because we are happy, or do we play happy music to make us happy? And perhaps a worse/better thing to consider, can music prolong the mood? And if so why would we continue to listen to sad songs when we are sad, are we that in need of further depression?
Is it as Rob suggests in High Fidelity that it is music that is to blame for so much of the sadness, depression, loneliness and ill feeling? Is it as he laments that music simply has alot to answer for?
Happy: Friday I'm in Love: The Cure
Sad: Space Oddity: David Bowie
Lonely: I'm Not in Love: 10CC
A dance/nightclub without music would be less than it should be, just as a bar without music would possibly just be people drinking forced to converse at a level more accurately refered to as normal and without the need to shout. Watching a movie is enhanced by the soundtrack, when it is such that we actually hear it over the action, dialog and the visual flash of the screen entertainment, the music is carefully (as far as royalties and rights allow) chosen to compliment the scene and be mood enhancing...it is chosen simply for the empathetic response it will garner from most viewers. It help creates the mood.
Does the music perpetuate or create/inspire the mood, or does our mood dictate the type of music we really chose to listen too? Do we play happy music because we are happy, or do we play happy music to make us happy? And perhaps a worse/better thing to consider, can music prolong the mood? And if so why would we continue to listen to sad songs when we are sad, are we that in need of further depression?
Is it as Rob suggests in High Fidelity that it is music that is to blame for so much of the sadness, depression, loneliness and ill feeling? Is it as he laments that music simply has alot to answer for?
Happy: Friday I'm in Love: The Cure
Sad: Space Oddity: David Bowie
Lonely: I'm Not in Love: 10CC
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Comment by Ann 1
Wordophilia
Bloganymity
I love the graphics (and colours).
I'll be back once I've finished looking (and reading).
Ann.
Comment by katyzzz
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
In essence, I love the theme of this blog and music is a massive part of my life. I consciously choose music depending on my mood and what I’m doing.
These are great songs, Mis, especially The Cure.
Byee
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
Thanks so much for hanging out with me. Come back soon!
Mis
Comment by Miswanderlust
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I also love the escapism of music! Thanks for the kind words about the banner! Thanks for finding me here!
Mis
Comment by Miswanderlust
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I am so sorry that you lost your response! Maybe it is under the cushion under your couch! HAHAHA!
I am glad that you love the theme of this blog.
music is a massive part of my life.
Me too sister
Glad you liked the Cure selection. I knew that you would like it!
Mis
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I looked under the cushions and there was nothing there...not even any money!
Tracy
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I think I often subconsciously match music to my mood, or even my activities. If I'm cleaning the house, I'll put on very upbeat pop songs - but not, I must assure you, Sadie the Cleaning Lady.
One problem I run into though, is putting on dark depressing music when feeling dark and depressed. Cheery music would seem mocking at such a time, but sad music really doesn't help! Sometimes music has too much power.
Great post!
Mich
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Comment by Miswanderlust
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HAHAHA!
Mis
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
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So good to see you!
I think I often subconsciously match music to my mood, or even my activities. If I'm cleaning the house, I'll put on very upbeat pop songs - but not, I must assure you, Sadie the Cleaning Lady.
I do that too! Love "Mad Girl" music for cleaning...Hole especially ..... HAHAHAHA about Sadie!
One problem I run into though, is putting on dark depressing music when feeling dark and depressed. Cheery music would seem mocking at such a time, but sad music really doesn't help! Sometimes music has too much power.
Sometimes just sitting in your sadness is better than the hypocritical cheeriness of an "up with life" track.
Thanks for the kind words!
Mis
Comment by Miswanderlust
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I feel 'ya there bro. So glad you asked for directions and got here. It wouldn't be the same without you!
Mis
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
I am going to go with the mood first, sound after (for arguments sake) ... although I don’t think that is by any means a definitive answer as my own research is incomplete.
For me personally music is a very personal mood enhancer, rather than something the other way round, I think ... unless like you say, I am out somewhere and have no control over the 'mood' being set ... especially nightclubs and the like, where the mood is very in-your-face loud and systematically 'created' to create the mood... ((laughs)) these days usually aggression and eventual headache in my case.... Indeed beats already reported as a cause to the possible depression and destructive wanderings of many youth.
The answers may well lie in the beats. As you know I have been a part of many native drumming circles and activities. There is evidence to support that healing drumming is very real and relies on the ability of a soft beat actually affecting our DNA strands. A Bad beat from a shammy-shaman can actually make you sick and I have experienced this first hand ... As a sensitive, I have to say that certain beats can really give me a headache for this same reason. But it’s more than that, I think it is what makes one person like one type of music, and another not like it at all.... I need to read more on this phenomenon.
Further proof when I am in the mood to read and my teenager blasts (for example), her newly found love of Bon Jovi across the airwaves ... Boom boo, boom boom and even though there are times I will still want to listen to a song or two by them, here and there ... if my mood is not equal to the timing of them being played ... no way I can listen to them without real discomfort.
Music for me, like people and religion begins with a wide range to choose from, from all spheres, genre's and levels. As such I have an eclectic range of music which I use to enhance the mood I am in, rather than change it.
Lately it's been a Bob Seger and Heart revival .... wow I had just forgotten how much I loved that Against the Wind album... but as you say, am I just playing it again because it is music that I associate with a time in my life, when I felt like I am feeling now or because 'philosophical' music has the ability to lift a cyclic melancholy?
How about you Mis, do you put music on to change your mood or the other way round. Would love to hear your take on it?
Lilla ...
Comment by Miswanderlust
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The other day I was not in the best of moods, and when I arrived at work all I wanted to do was listen to bands like Drowning Pool, Skindred etc. I was in an angry, shouty, growly mood and these songs fit perfectly... so there is a case of mood dicating music
There are also times when I listen to Drowning Pool when I am not growly but in a good "balls out." so who knows.
There are times when I feel like crap and need to sit in it so I will turn on sorrowful music. Then there are times when I just need to chill and this does the trck.
Sometimes when I feel sorrowful I will play something peppy to bring myself out of it.
Oh well!
Mis
Loved your thoughtful comment!
Mis
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
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Comment by Miswanderlust
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I tend to agree with you!
Mis