Have you ever experienced a loss-of-words but a song helped fill in the blanks? Moreover, are there instances when lyrics are more emotionally powerful than speech? Like language, human song can both express and induce emotions. As humans, we have the inherent ability to create music through song production; vocal music is a universal art form that does not require any specific skills or musical knowledge (Racette and Peretz 2007). It is through this unique form of communication, comprised of both language and music, that humans are one step closer to allow others to feel the way we feel. The perception of songs combines the cognitive processes of language and music into a single act. Coordinated in points of emphasis, grouping etc., often patterns of speech and intonation influence compositional choices in order to ensure a cohesive experience with melody and words. Although music and lyrics can be treated independently, most frequently they are viewed as one. Currently, there are three positions regarding the synchronization of lyrics and melody: assimilation, independence, and interaction. The first point of view, assimilation, argues that lyrics are subservient to melody such that lyrics can only be interpreted as one of many musical layers (Langer 1957). Where proponents of assimilation see lyrics as meaningless absent of music, those that support independence view language and music as uneven partners with language being the dominant party. As theorized by Émile Benveniste (1985), music remains a less sophisticated system to language, as the basic units of music (i.e. musical notes) do not designate any other meaning than its sound. On the other hand, verbal language has developed into “a full-fledged semiotic system with... ... middle of paper ... ...tance is decided upon which has a lesser effect without the other, music has an advantage in terms of being able to elicit strong emotions memories regardless of the presence of lyrics. However, if importance is measured through creating a stronger sense of empathy and social communication, lyrics become entirely necessary. Both music and lyrics play a crucial role in generating an emotional response in the listener through interactive and independent processes. Although vocal music is one of the most popular art forms, surprisingly little research has been dedicated in addressing the relationship and interaction between music and lyrics. Yet with the information that has been discovered thus far, lyrics appear to be the more intimate partner of the two. Focused on interconnectedness and linked with empathy, lyrics help us say what we may be too embarrassed to say.
Art is always a highly debated topic. What is art? What is artistic? Which is better poem or song? Music and poetry are both great ways to express artistic passion, and each have something a little different to from the other. Two greatly artistic pieces is the song “Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band, and the poem “Living Room” by david Yezzi. In this case, though it is a great piece, the song “Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band is not as artistic as the poem “Living Room” by David Yezzi. The use of similes, rhyme scheme, diction, symbolism, and just overall theme, truly makes “Living Room” the more artistic piece. Each have their pro’s and con’s, and each have powerful poetic devices, some more than others. Though both pieces have artistic grounds,
Music is regarded as a method of passing a message. Though some songs do not intend to do that, the message in them is still perceived. The song, “Get up, ...
Song lyrics have set off a great generation of our leisure time than reading poetic devices, therefore song lyrics are better than poetic devices. Song lyrics have dropped numerous lines that attach to us now a days and make us listen to the line over and over unlike poetic devices. Song Lyrics have so much meaning by word choice and by relations.”Mr. Rager” by Kid Cudi, is about people fed up with society and plan on taking a journey. “Dreams” by Edgar Allen Poe, is about a man who dreams of a greater life. Mr. Rager, the song by Scott Cudi, has a better meaning than Dreaming, the poem by Edgar Allen Poe, by personification, allusion, and symbolism.
In todays society poetry is all around us, we use it in music to deliver messages to the average radio listener. According to SelectUSA (The creative Media industry in the United States) The United States music industry in 2011 reached 15.2 billion dollars. With the information given a person can tell that a lot of time and money goes into music in today’s society. The music people listen to have many different elements that an average listener would not pick up. Many songs have poetic techniques that give great meaning to the song that makes the song unique. The song I Love the way you Lie by Eminem and Rihanna and the song Airplanes by B.o.B are similar in ways they use poetic devises and how the over all message of the two songs can relate to the average person that listen to the song.
There is a growing body of work in the philosophy of music and musical aesthetics that has considered the various ways that music can be meaningful: music as representational (that is, musical depictions of persons, places, processes, or events); musical as quasi-linguistic reference (as when a musical figure underscores the presence of a character in a film or opera), and most especially, music as emotionally expressive. Here I will focus on the last topic, for I believe it will be useful for researchers in music perception and cognition to avail themselves of the distinctions that aestheticians have worked out regarding the musical expression of emotion.
Music connects to the emotions present
Studies have demonstrated that certain sorts of rock music can heighten feelings. This means youth and adolescents who are inclined to negative, fierce, or depressive contemplations are more prone to have these sentiments (and follow up on them). By the same accord, youngsters who are characteristically content and happy are more averse to have the negative verses in specific tunes influence them in any capacity. To them, it’s simply entertainment (Kwan,
For many of us, one of the most accurate and effective ways to express the feelings that really matter to us is through music. We don’t only grow to attached to songs that are catchy, but also those with lyrics that we can relate to. It is not uncommon to feel like sometimes, artists can convey the way we feel better than we could ourselves. The storybook-like lines you read at the start of this page are a collection of lyrics
"Emotional Responses to Music: Implicit and Explicit Effects in Listeners and Performers." Psycology of Music. N.p., n.d. Web. April 2011. .
The youth of today are more likely to have a favourite song rather than a favourite poem. Although the feelings and hidden meanings expressed in songs are often unacknowledged by the listener, they often have qualities that resemble those of a typical poem. These qualities include word choice, mood, hidden meanings and imagery. Using the songs “Luka” by Suzanne Vega, and “April Come She Will” by Simon and Garfunkle, I am going to prove that songs can be considered a form of modern day poetry.
A person can do more than just dance to music; they clean, laugh, sing, cry, and make some of the greatest memories while enjoying music. Music can take us back in time to past memories, whether they are good or bad. It can make us think of different phases of our life. Just hearing one song can take us back years. It can make us think of a certain person at a particular part in time. The words and lyrics in songs have a way of relating to some people. (White) (Lyon, Suzanne)
“The parallels between musical and linguistic boundaries are obvious” as stated in author Peter M...
“Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little lamb; Mary had a little lamb, whose fleece was white as snow.” For centuries “Mary had a little lamb” has become one of the most universally recognized nursery rhythms since being published in 1830. Centuries later it is still one of the most popular songs of the world. Merriam Dictionary defines music as “the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity.” With that in mind, music is found everywhere. Whether it’s in the Great Wall of China to the jungles in Africa, music is found everywhere. The main purpose of this paper is to show that music is in fact a universal language by comparing music with other official languages, showing how music influences emotions and how music literacy and emotions helps people understand music as a language. In order to fully execute my purpose of proving that music is a universal language, I will be focusing on using personal experiences, researching articles and specific musical examples from class.
Music can move a person in incredible ways, whether by healing, inspiring, saddening, or even angering. But when a song touches in a positive way it imprints a lasting memory of itself in the heart and soul. That might explain why some of the most classic and popular songs through the centuries are love songs. The creative ocean of love lyrics and melodies is probably as vast as a Universe and among the shining stars are two humbling songs that will continue to move the emotions. "Somewhere out there" and "Dreaming of you" are two musical creations that have planted a lasting impression in many people’s heart.
Through music we are able to comprehend someone’s personality, their views, their culture, and who they are as an overall person. The music you listen to is a reflection of who you are and your own personal thoughts. As I reflect on the music I listen to I came to the conclusion that I gravitate towards songs that depict the emotions we feel through lyrics while being able to relate it to my own personal experiences.