Music is an important factor in my life. No matter what you say, I’ll be able to come up with a song that matches the occasion, and I won’t be afraid to start signing it while you are still talking. The first thing I do whenever I get home is turn on some music. If I have enough time and money, I love to attend the odd concert, too.
Not everyone is interested in music. Of course, they have a right not to be, but as far as I’m concerned, music is like food: there is something to suit everyone, and if you really immerse yourself in it, the world is your oyster. For instance, for the last few weeks, my flatmate has been cooking Chinese meals I didn’t even know existed. They smell delicious. And here I was thinking I did not like Chinese food… But of course, my impression of Chinese food was based on the soggy char siu I used to get from the corner shop.
Frustration and fraternisation
The same thing is true for music. Indeed, according to the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, a life without music is a mistake. And no, you really don’t have to understand how the music you like actually works. I, too, am fine without immersing myself in scales and polytonality. One’s response to music is largely emotional. When I am listening to my favourite heavy metal band, be it on my own or with friends, or when I’m in a pub watching someone sing “Don’t Stop Believing” at the top of their lungs, I am reminded of why life matters.
Also, music unites us. For instance, when you fling your body against another person’s body at a heavy metal concert out of sheer frustration, enthusiasm and fraternisation. Or when a song written by another person suddenly seems to be about you. And particularly when there is a bunch of you all trying to sing in the same key. To me, nothing says Christmas like that. For that reason, I would like Santa to give me a wall of death this year. Preferably one that has all my friends in it.
