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Originally Posted by Janszoon
I would say no and I don't think it's just restricted to culture. One example that springs to mind is The Church. On several occasions I've heard people refer to them as "depressing" which is unfathomable to me as I find their music to be beautiful, mellow and atmospheric, but certainly not depressing. Granted that example is a band not a specific song but I think it makes the point. Another example is the numerous times that I've heard punk songs that I find energetic and upbeat described as "angry" by other people.
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Depressing might not be the most accurate description of The Church or their music, then again one to think about how much does that person know about the band, if their only experience of The Church (for example) is "Under The Milky Way" then they are basing their opinion of The Church's music on the one song. Now if they said The Church is a favorite of theirs and their music is depressing, of all the ways to describe the band's music why would they say "depressing?" What intrigues me isn't what people say is why they say it. Anyway calling a band "depressing" is not the same as dismissing a band. Sometimes it good to feel sad, and some bands I'm into because they are just that, they're depressing.
Music: Can it have a universal understanding?
Music could be considered to have an universal understanding, in that it transcends borders and cultural differences and regardless of language difference music speaks to the soul, but it still up to the person who listening to it whether they like it or not.
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Originally Posted by TheBig3
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Is it possible for 18 people to listen to the same song, who've never met, who don't come from the same regions or life experiences, and get the same meaning, or at least gist, from a song?
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No, they might not get the same meaning (for example) what if they came from the same country with the same background there are no guarantees they'll like the same music, all for various reasons. Yet in the case of the 18 people with different backgrounds out them if you could find out a few who had some emotional connection to the song, it would be for different personal reasons, I would think.
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Originally Posted by TheBig3
Why I ask: Perhaps this defines me as certifiable, but every now and then I'll listen to a track and it will paint a scenario for me. I apply it to places I've been in my life, but regardless of locale, its the same situation. And it doesn't change even if its 14 years after the first time I've heard the song. So to come to the radical root of the question: Do musical notes, or arrangements, or some form of counterpuntal interplay draw a certain perspective inherently, if only within a cultural grouping (i.e. Does it draw the same distinction in, say, The West).
Thanks.
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TheBig3,
There are different points, some are general and some are more on the personal level of listener's experience. I understand the part where you explain your emotional connection to a song, but I don't fully understand the radical root question.
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Originally Posted by mord
Actually, I like you a lot, Nea. That's why I treat you like ****. It's the MB way.
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"it counts in our hearts" ?ºº?
“I have nothing to offer anybody, except my own confusion.” Jack Kerouac.
“If one listens to the wrong kind of music, he will become the wrong kind of person.” Aristotle.
"If you tried to give Rock and Roll another name, you might call it 'Chuck Berry'." John Lennon
"I look for ambiguity when I'm writing because life is ambiguous." Keith Richards