Why Do We Like Music?

[Tomorrow]

I was feeling sort of philosophical today and had an epistemological self-discussion about how can we tell how much time has elapsed from Event A (like starting a CD) to Event B (turning off the CDP) without the help of time pieces. Most people can estimate elapsed time reasonably accurately. (Well, my wife thinks my "5 minutes" is really "30 minutes". ) But since I haven't met a thought that likes to stay in my brain longer than a few nanoseconds (my elapsed time estimation), my thoughts drifted elsewhere...and turned to music. I had a second, related wondering.

What is it about music that makes us and our brains enjoy music? I know neural research must certainly have been done in the field, but couldn't readily come up with any.

So let me ask my fellow audio fans. What is it about music that makes YOU enjoy it? The podium is open.

 

[Wafflesomd]

It's totally badical.

 

[MDS]

It's totally badical.

No doubt.

Here are some of my reasons:
1. Songs tell a story. Some are deep and thought provoking (and also historical in context), like say 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitgerald' and some are just zany and comical like 'My Girl Bill' and 'Amos Moses'.

2. Songs remind you of events in your life; whether it is where you were when you first heard it or because you can relate to the lyrics of the song. I remember the first time I heard 'I Can't Drive 55'. I was 17 and had a 1977 Z-28 4-speed. I suddenly felt the urge to spin the tires and speed shift.

3. Music just gets your toes tapping and brings up your mood, although of course there are songs that are sad and bring you down and I appreciate those too.

It's actually very complicated but I can't imagine a life without music. I work from home most of the time and my music is on all day long. I gave my TV away 3 months ago in preparation to buy a new one, yet still have not, and I don't miss it.

 

[avaserfi]

I completely agree with MDS's reasons for loving music as they are the same as mine.

Now lets get to the neurological reasons . There have been and are many studies involving music and its effects on a variety of physiological/neurological responses. I actually had the pleasure of working on one of these experiments for a short time (one year). In general many people who listened to music had lower blood pressure and a general calming effect on the subject compared to the control. While we did not have the equipment or funding to get more neurological readings such as the various transmitters that are affected, hormone levels or general neurological reactions we did do a metanalysis of other research which was extremely interesting. Through this research we found that listening to music correlated reasonably highly with good mental health. The various neurotransmitters found to be released were similar to those released during sex serotonin for example, except in much lower amounts. Certain hormones are released along side many other processes being altered. One thing I found very interesting is the whole brain is affected, albeit differently, to interaction with music.

You might like this link although it is fairly simplified: http://www.bethabe.org/Resource_Center97.html

 

[stratman]

No doubt.

Here are some of my reasons:
1. Songs tell a story. Some are deep and thought provoking (and also historical in context), like say 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitgerald' and some are just zany and comical like 'My Girl Bill' and 'Amos Moses'.

2. Songs remind you of events in your life; whether it is where you were when you first heard it or because you can relate to the lyrics of the song. I remember the first time I heard 'I Can't Drive 55'. I was 17 and had a 1977 Z-28 4-speed. I suddenly felt the urge to spin the tires and speed shift.

3. Music just gets your toes tapping and brings up your mood, although of course there are songs that are sad and bring you down and I appreciate those too.

It's actually very complicated but I can't imagine a life without music. I work from home most of the time and my music is on all day long. I gave my TV away 3 months ago in preparation to buy a new one, yet still have not, and I don't miss it.

All of these points are perfect, I can tell you a specific time in my life by the music. Also, music is drug-like in it's effects on a person's mood. Music can be repulsive, joyous, scary, funny and run the whole gamut of emotions in between, life without music is no life at all.

 

[Sheep]

I think Avaserfi has the best explanation. Music changes you. The change depends on the music, but I know that I like to listen to music when ever I can, with the car being one of the best places... to bad it's dead.

And for those that like to understand songs, I give you this website..

www.songmeanings.net

If you ever hear a musician say the song doesn't have a set meaning, the listener defines the meaning, they lied. This website has pretty much any song you could think of, and the people that discuss the meanings really do know what they're talking about. I'll give you an example.

One of my current favoirte songs is called "Taking Cassandra To The End Of The World Party" I didn't really know what it was about, other then the literal translation of the lyrics. When I looked up the song on Songmeanings, I was gifted the true meaning.

It's a bit of an abstract run down on the greek story of Cassandra, who was given the gift of prophecy by apollo (because of her great beauty) but was then cursed to never be believed when she refused to return his affections.

modernly, it's nicknamed the 'cassandra syndrome'...

..I think in addition with the story of Cassandra, it's about man ignoring the dangers of what they're doing.


People die from smoking...but mankind still smokes.
America learned about the dangers of building an entire state below sea-level, a hurricane came and demolished it, and they want to rebuild it.
The body count of anything is proof that something is wrong and needs to be fixed but "no one listens to the..."

Here are the lyrics to the song.
No one makes it out alive, but I know where the killer hides tonight
No one makes it out alive, but I know where the killer hides

I saw this night and the next, erupt in flames but years ago
Women and children scurry like roaches stomped out by fire
I warned these insects not to move but no one ever listens…

”Don't believe this girl, she preaches mayhem!”
“She's the devils ***** and a liar!”
“I want to see the look in her eyes,
when body parts ways with life!”

No one listens to the damned

No one listens to the damned
At six miles up it will explode, I can see it all
No one listens to the damned
At sea level you will be drowned, I have seen it all
No one listens to the damned
Beneath the surface the monster will have you
No one listens to the damned
But god damned no one will believe me

No one listens to the damned
No one listens to the damned
No one listens to the damned
No one listens to the damned…

And this is the music video!

After I found this out, I fell in-love with this band. It makes the songs much more meaningful.

SheepStar

 

[Haoleb]

When im listening to a really good recording and I am able to clear my mind of thought and just flow with the music it takes me to a place where I am not thinking about anything. Just letting the music take me away.

A bit like the same reason why I like alcohol i suppose.

 

[gmichael]

I have a better question. Why does my cat like music? Whenever I leave the music playing, there she is, sitting on the living room floor between the two main speakers.

 

[zhimbo]

Daniel Levitin is a researcher (and musician) who does a lot of interesting work on music...

http://www.psych.mcgill.ca/levitin/home_research.htm

Links you to tons of information. The link to "Articles about our research" is a good place to go for non-technical discussions of his work.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

One of the things I like about music that has not been mentioned so far is the way it moves in three dimensions. Imaging/soundstaging has always been a top priority for me because of this, and it is also why I do most of my listening in a darkened room. Some sounds have "solid" forms resembling abstract sculpture (as well as changing with time.) My own visual art is strongly influenced by what I "see" in music.

 

[majorloser]

"Music soothes the savage beast"

That would explain the "drug-like" effect as quoted by the caveman.

 

[j_garcia]

I have music on as often as I can, even if it is just in the background. What I listen to definitely reflects my mood, but I can modify or amplify my mood by the music I listen to. It is a part of me, and it always has been. Even when nothing is playing, I usually have music going on in my head - I often have recently listened to songs in my head when I wake up. We relate music to the things in our mind when we hear them, both external influences at the time and our own personal connection to a particular sound or song and that is embedded in you. It can immediately transport you to those memories.

 

[Highlander]

We relate music to the things in our mind...

When I was coming to the end of my walk along this ridge I was humming to myself "I can see for miles" by The Who. How very appropriate.

 

[Wafflesomd]

I was helping out at my old High Schools marching band Invitational yesterday.

Most of the bands seem to be going the way of drum corps. style shows and music, which IMO, is great.

What amazes me, is how some of the music is just so powerful. It's those damn chords, they get me everytime. Loud powerful chords, when they give me chills, it's just amazing.

 

[pzaur]

www.songmeanings.net
SheepStar

Sheepstar - great site!

Music is one of the few things of this world that can cross cultures without translation and also has the ability to touch/bring out every emotion in the human spectrum.

One of my favorites: You'll Have Time - Shatner/Folds

And then there's Mahler's Symphony No. 5 (not Mambo No. 5....)

-pat

 

[stratman]

Sheepstar - great site!

Music is one of the few things of this world that can cross cultures without translation and also has the ability to touch/bring out every emotion in the human spectrum.

One of my favorites: You'll Have Time - Shatner/Folds

And then there's Mahler's Symphony No. 5 (not Mambo No. 5....)

-pat

Hey I went to the site, looked up a song I'm familiar with, the opening lyrics were wrong, went to the artist's site to make sure(since they have their lyrics posted), yeah they're wrong, wouldn't that change the meaning of a song?

 

[Sheep]

Hey I went to the site, looked up a song I'm familiar with, the opening lyrics were wrong, went to the artist's site to make sure(since they have their lyrics posted), yeah they're wrong, wouldn't that change the meaning of a song?

Most of the time with that site, the lyrics are an interpretation because the CD wasn't out when it was posted. Others like to change it so it follows easier(pretty stupid IMO). Just read the titles and see if they say "CD book lyrics".

Either way, the lyrics are usually right, with 1 or 2 errors. Most of the posts correct them, and then people discuss the song.

SheepStar

 

[Davemcc]

I was helping out at my old High Schools marching band Invitational yesterday.

Most of the bands seem to be going the way of drum corps. style shows and music, which IMO, is great.

What amazes me, is how some of the music is just so powerful. It's those damn chords, they get me everytime. Loud powerful chords, when they give me chills, it's just amazing.

I spent most of my teen years in competition marching bands. Marching bands and drum corps really do have a distinctive sound.