A little while ago, Michael D’Agostino, of A Life Examined, brought up the idea of a new blog hop called Question of the Month. He thinks blog readers would like to know a little more about us, the bloggers. So we’re all gathering to show you guys who we are by taking part in the Question of the Month blog hop. On the first Monday of each month, we answer the question that gets posted here.
This month’s question is: “What kind of music best speaks to you?”
First, HAPPY LABOR DAY, USA!
And now, to the music…
I find it hard to comprehend the notion that some people just don’t like music, but I know it’s a fact. I’ve interviewed a few of those people. I can understand people having musical preferences and not liking certain musical genres, but to simply not like any music baffles my mind.
I can’t imagine living a healthy and satisfying life without music. I even ask authors I interview about their musical inspiration, but I think many of them are turned off by how I phrase the question, “When the soundtrack of your life is playing in your head, what songs express your glee and what songs bring out your rage?” I personally think it’s a good question; that’s probably why I never have and never will change it.
I, for one, use music in all aspects of my life. Music is for praise and worship, celebrating, grieving, relaxing, creating, and everything else. I sometimes think of songs that would be great for the soundtracks of my books (if my books had soundtracks). I created storyboards with song inspiration on Pinterest for both Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel and Eternal Curse: Battleground. I went all out for my one contemporary story, It’s like the Full Moon, and created a playlist assigning a song to every chapter (see Side A here and Side B here).
But, if you want to know what music really speaks to me, it would all depend on when you’re asking. It changes constantly. Right now, Big Band music is playing in my head. Last night, my husband and I played a few Louis Armstrong records (I feel vinyl is way underrated. Good vinyl has an amazing sound quality people overlook because it’s not digital). Usually, when blogging, I listen to jazz or oldies. When I’m writing, I listen to classical, opera, and very rarely techno, but not that repetitive over-sampled house music you hear in European night clubs. There is a time and place for that, just not when I’m writing.
For daily life, I’m still a sucker for popular music, though as I get older, I find it hard to like a lot of it. Still, I like it more than many of my peers. I’ve always appreciated Hip Hop and R&B, but I’ve been spending a lot of time with the old school chart toppers as of late. Even though I’m not opposed to country music, I find that I just don’t listen to it much. I do however have a few Bluegrass records that I’ll play over and over. Again, this is not the repetitive foot stomp’n, burning fiddle music you mostly thing of (again, a time and place for that), but good Bluegrass is like an orchestra with a southern style and twang, and can be quite inspirational.
I think I’ll stop here. I could go on and on, but there are others to visit in this hop and I want to be sure to see what they all have to say.
Please visit the other participants in this hop and even join in if you’d like. I can’t wait to see what other music and or songs speak to others.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords
22 replies on “#Question of the Month: a #bloghop to think about. No. 15- What kind of music best speaks to you? #MusicMonday”
I can’t comprehend how some people say they don’t like music either. Have they tried every genre? With so many options out there, not liking music seems impossible.
Bluegrass is fun. And I’ve listen to select techno. 🙂
When it’s just the right tempo, techno helps me finish a tough draft.
You and I have similar tastes and opinions when it comes to music. I too am baffled by those who say they don’t like music. I guess a lot of that might have something to do with upbringing.
I’ve got to have music much of the time–though silence is kind of nice at times. Though the way I see it, silence is a form of music in itself.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
You have a point. Life and nature seem to have a hum or rythm to it that’s quite relaxing.
Your soundtrack question is excellent. So thought-provoking. I don’t understand how people can be indifferent to or not like music!. Music=life, yes? My mother was a huge fan of Big Band music. I don’t mind it and also enjoy some Jazz and standards. Although not a huge fan of Bluegrass, I’ve heard some rock songs done in that style and thought they were innovative. 🙂
Your soundtrack question is excellent – so thought-provoking! I don’t understand how some people don’t like music. They must have had an austere upbringing. Music=life, yes? My mother was a huge fan of Big Band music and I don’t mind it, along with other traditional music styles. Rock is my biggest passion, but I heard a Bluegrass band doing Metallica and really enjoyed it. 🙂
Sorry about the duplicate comment. The first one had an error message (it said “Not Allowed’), so I assumed it got lost in cyberspace, yet, here it is. 🙂
No worries.
I find that when a song is known for one genre and is remade in another, it usually brings up lots of questions, comments, and fun comparisons.
Not sure how anyone can’t like at least one song out of the thousands upon thousands out there. But to each their own. Depends on the moment indeed as to what takes seed.
I agree. I think there is a least one song that even non music lovers hold dear…There just has to be.
I’m seeing that a lot, where what your favorite type of music is depends on when you ask. Sometimes it’s whatever’s on.
It can be, but sometimes you clearly know what you prefer and what you don’t.
Music is my profession so obviously, the relationship runs deep. Quite a lot of it speaks to me. These days, I like visiting the bands I fell in love with in my youth, especially the Beatles, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. Jazz is our default background music at home, though more classical as my daughter’s musical pursuits have intensified.
But when I seek deep, spiritual connection, I have a couple wells I visit. One is a cappella vocal music ranging from Palestrina to Rachmaninoff to Take 6 to whatever. It’s my favorite to perform, either as singer or conductor and it’s a lovely escape as a listener, too. I also love old soul music, especially Sam Cooke. Stevie Wonder holds a special place for me, too. His work in the early to mid ’70s is transporting.
Ah yes, Stevie Wonder (GOAT 1). I also have a strong atracction to the songs of Odis Redding.
I don’t think I could answer your question about the soundtrack of my life. I think I’d get stuck in trying to approach it logically then have too much of a dilemma to make choices I was happy with. Then again, I’ve worked out what music I want for my funeral! It includes a clip of birdsong and ends with Mark Knopfler’s Going Home (from Local Hero), a hugely uplifting song.
Impressed with your approach, Toi!
Thank you Jemima. Music is one of those subjects, that when given free range, I can talk about it for hours.
Amen! I can’t imagine not liking any kind of music. Like a smile, music is universal and good for the soul.
I agree. Even if it’s not something I like, I think everyone should have a little music in their life.
People who don’t like music actually exist? I can’t imagine that. Willy Dunne Wooters puts on headphones and works to music. He likes something with a strong beat. Sometimes he’ll play the same CD over and over while he works if his computer programming is going well. He’s the drummer of computer programming.
Love,
Janie
I know, it’s hard to believe.
I too like a strong beat when I make attempts at working out. (wink wink)
That’s a hard one to answer it depends on what mood I am in. If I’m sad, melancholy or in a reflective mood I’m more into Emo music. When I am super happy and carefree it is world, EDM or Reggae Dancehall music. But on a daily basis I listen to Hip Hop, R&B, with Pop thrown in.
I get that. Emotions play their part in what we listen to. Glad to know someone else will listen to Hip Hop, R&B, and Pop.