Music questions

[Luminaire]

[color=crimson]All right. I have a question for anyone who bothers to browse this forum. This is for my research paper in English and I thought this would be a great place to get some feedback. Anyone can answer this, even though it relates mostly to teens. Here's the question:

Is there a song that you believe has changed who you are or the way you look at life? If so, what song and what artist? Why do you believe this song has affected you so?

If you can't answer that, try this:

What do you believe drives people to listen to the music they do? Can music affect how a person identifies themselves? Why?

If anyone answers these questions, I ask permission to quote you in my paper if necessary. This is posted here because the topic relates to the forum. Thank you in advance to anyone who answers. Also, this is not to be a debate, just your opinion.

Domo arigatou.

~Lumi ^_^[/color]

[Guest ScirosDarkblade]

Well, I personally cannot think of a song which has changed my outlook on life, my personality, or anything that major. I listen to a large range of music, and I can't claim a "favorite song."

As for your second question, I believe that some people listen to music which they feel represents themselves and their general mood (i.e. music they identify with personally). At least that is the case with certain people, such as "Goths" who listen to death metal because they identify with it. Certainly it's not the case with many people, such as myself.

So, I don't think that the kind of music one listens to affects the view one has of oneself. I do think that the way one sees oneself affects the music one listens to, though, at least sometimes.

[wrist cutter]

For your first question, I don't really think there's a song out there that's altered my life very significantly. So I'll go to your second question.

I think most people listen to music that fits an image they're trying to put out. This is why popular music these days is very clear-cut between genres for the most part: people don't want to be mistaken for something else by the music they listen to. So yes, music does play a role in the way some people identify themselves.

But for those who actually find meaning in music, not just a novelty like funny lyrics or raunchy music videos... well, they tend to enjoy music of a variety of styles. So it'd be hard to identify yourself with any one of them since they like different types. That's how I see it anyway.

[Charles]

My answer is the Sesame Street theme by Joe Raposo, Jon Stone & Bruce Hart. The choice seems silly at first, but in the end it should be clear why I'm choosing this. There's a palpable profundity present in the lyrics that can't be denied.

The song first impacted me because its upbeat nature caught my interest and encouraged me to watch a show whose characters were memorable, charming, and effective. The show demonstrated to me that learning can be fun--it can be integrated into an entertaining medium. It also displayed how effective it can be for individuals to help one another learn. So, the song introduced me to all that.

When we examine the lyrics for what they are, we hear children singing about a place where neighbors are friendly, and all sorts of animals and people of all ethnicities gather together and treat one another nicely. Everyone is genuinely accepting of one another on Sesame Street. The differences among people are there on the outside, but no one seems to notice so they don't really exist.

To hear children ask "Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street" is a moving question, because in all its simplicity, it's still not a question we can answer. We still haven't gotten to Sesame Street, we still haven't been able to accomplish that uniform receptive nature present there where people are interested in helping each other no matter how different they look. And, instead of being afraid of their differences, they learn from them, thus expanding their culture.

I'd certainly like to know how to get to Sesame Street, figuratively speaking, that's for sure.

[BlueGender]

[COLOR=navy][SIZE=1]I beleive people listen to the music they do because it has touched them in some way shape or form and they feel connected to it. Music is something that is always there and it's so personal it can uplift you, make you laugh, cry, and smile. I believe music can change the way people identify themselves because music like poeple is an ever evoling and chaning thing and if people hear the right song at the right time it can change there life.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Fall]

[QUOTE=Luminaire][color=crimson]
What do you believe drives people to listen to the music they do? Can music affect how a person identifies themselves? Why?
[/color][/QUOTE]I listen to music that I can sort of connect to, music that fits in with my mood.

I think people listen to the type of music that they do, because they can fit it in with the mood they are in. The general mood people like in thier music is always there, behind all the emotions and feelings, it's always there. And that's what [i]connects[/i] people to the music they like, and this is they reason why they [i]do[/i] like that kind of music, in the first place.

Listening to the music you like, can make you think clearer. I find that when I'm thinking seriously of a situation, or anything on my mind that I take seriously, listening to music I like alot, can add a mood to it, make me think clearer about it all.

[Guess?]

I can't answer the first question because nothing that happens really changes the outlook on life to me.

As for the second, I believe people listen to music that fits there mood. If you're sad, you'll listen to a sad song so you can connect with whats being said. If you're mad, you'll listen to heavy stuff. If you don't believe me, next time you experience a drastic change in emotion, pay atention to what music you listen to. You'll be suprised. As for the second part of the question, I can't answer it.

Remember[QUOTE][color=#dc143c]this is not to be a debate, just your opinion.[/color][/QUOTE]

[oshi]

I think that a lot of people listen to music that fits a certain style that they are going for. Either that, or the music influences them and changes their own style. They become the typical listener of a certain genre: a punk with safety pins hanging from ever inch of fabric on their body, a rocker with hardcore tattoos decorating their skin, or a self-absorbed whiner who sits around and mopes after listening to too much Staind. (Sorry.)

This isn't true for some people, though, and it's probably only partially true for most. I am attracted to listen to music that has intriguing, open-to-interpretation lyrics, and a lot going on in the actual music. I can't listen to stuff that has only one instrument playing (unless that one instrument is making hella noise), and I like it when I can listen to something over and over again and find new sounds within it each time. I don't really know what this says about my habits/personality.

I think that [I]letting other people know[/I] about what kind of music you like to listen to is the way that people identify themselves [I]to [/I] other people. The music you listen to without necessarily telling others is the stuff that really makes up who you are.

[Guest Naota]

[quote name='Luminaire][color=crimson']Is there a song that you believe has changed who you are or the way you look at life? If so, what song and what artist? Why do you believe this song has affected you so?[/color][/quote]

Well, actually, there is a song in particular that I belive has changed the way I behave and view life. That song is Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy." Many people would say that this song isn't a very well done one, but the life lesson in it is priceless.

[QUOTE]In your life expect some trouble
But when you worry
You make it double
Don't Worry, Be Happy[/QUOTE]

The way I view those lyrics is unique, at least in my own way. That is pretty much my life strategy, the way I go about things.

[QUOTE]Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style
Ain't got not girl to make you smile
But don't worry, be happy
Cause when you worry
Your face will frown
And that will bring everybody down [/QUOTE]

If you really look at those lyrics, you'll see what I mean.

[JC Goodwin]

Well their anit a song that changed my life. Lots of bands thought and lots of songs. Any way i listen to Metal basicaaly cause i like really heavy music such as death metal cause alot of the beliefs i have are reflected in some band i listen to like Decide and Immolation. But also i love to head bang and just go to the flow of music. Cause i like a band that produces that kind of raw energy that make the feeling inside you rage and release from your self. But i aslo like to listen to emo cause alot of it i listen to if im down and it perks me up.