How does / did you favorite artists/ writers affect you?

I've been thinking about this for a few days and a comment from a bud in another thread spured me on to starting this one:

Permanent Waves said:

I certainly understand that! I have identified with many Rush lyrics and still do. I find much in them to be cogent encapsulations of many of my beliefs/values and a few even beautiful expressions of meaningful sentiments.

Click to expand...

Beliefs and values are the key terms there. I could have made the same statement.

I've lately been thinking about the formation of my beliefs and values. Not doubting them, I beleive I'm a well balanced and kind person with a strong moral frame work.

More along the lines of: "Did my atheism spur my love for the works of Douglas Adams or did my love of the works of Douglas Adams lead me to atheism?"

Yes, it is far from that simple. But there is a cross over of the two. I could go on about musical artists who's lyrics I agree with and when I started listening to them but I won't. I'm still considering and honestly it is mainly a curiosity, I am who I am and I'm happy with who I am.

How about you? Do you feel that you like an artist because they express a common belief? Or maybe you share a common belief that developed through listening to that artist? (or reading his / her work?)

Ironic isn't it?

Back in the early 80's, I read the 3 John Nichols novels that made up his New Mexico trilogy.
I found them very well written and....strangely enough....moving? :yes:
Little did I realize that fate, in the form of a layoff and new job for my wife, would lead me to old John Nichols stomping ground in New Mexico!? :thmbsp:

Steve

I live my life by the lyrics of, If 6 were 9, by Hendrix. Look below.

I too am not religious and, as such, have derived much "existential support", if you will, from the skeptical and sometimes snarky lyrics on such topics from groups such as Rush whose members are all well known "atheists/agnostics" (non-religious).

I was lucky enough to be raised with no religion or political dogma, free to decide for myself upon such issues once I reached the "age of reason", which, for me, was about age 12-14. It was when I was 14 that I really started to discover music and subsequently gravitated towards bands who seemed to, via their lyrical content, affirm my beliefs and values (and lack thereof) and, in general, whole weltanschauung. This was a substantial source of moral support in a largely irrational society, as were many books/articles written by members of the intellectual class I readily devoured (and still do).

In terms of music, one major album from which I derived such support was Rush's "Roll the Bones" which came out in '91 when I was 14. Truly Rush summed it all up in the lyric: "Why are we here? Because we're here. Why does it happen? Because it happens". No matter how much I have plowed the depths of intricate philosophical literature in search of the "meaning of it all" (which is actually a misguided venture imo, though fun!) for the past 20 years, there is no better answer to the perennial questions of existence besides, simply, "Because". That is, after a certain point, the human mind (at least given our present status of knowledge) simply runs up against the basic brute facts of existence as such and can penetrate no further into the nature of things (some claim that in principle this will always be the case, c.f. Kant's noumena or "cognitive closure" for instance). When we reach this ultimate limit of our cognition the most pragmatic and healthy thing to do is to stop worrying about it (at least in an existential angst sense; it is still infinitely fun to ponder these enduring questions in an detached intellectual way imo) and get on with living! To "Get out there and rock and Roll the Bones!"

Here's something I wrote awhile back about Roll the Bones in another thread. It sums up some of what I am speaking of:

RTB is a great album, was a great intro to the band for me, and I even derived much "existential support", if you will, from some of the lyrical content found within that I agreed with (and still do) at the time as it encapsulated much of my pre-philosophical (before my serious study of philosophy starting in my mid teens) thought on many issues my early adolescent mind was just starting to seriously grapple with and, upon doing so, discover that my views were diametrically opposed (and still are and probably always will be unless the structure of logic and evidence should undergo a true paradigm shift which of course is close to impossible) to much of the received (and unexamined) "wisdom" of contemporary US "thinking" on such subjects which I find is severely lacking in cognitive merit. A very cathartic and supportive album in that way and a welcome friend in such "intellectual isolation" (as other Rush lyrics/albums subsequently became soon after and remain up to this day) heaped atop the already omnipresent standard teen angst many of us strain under during that turbulent age.


I could go on and on and list dozens of Rush lyrics as well as the lyrics of dozens of other bands/artists but won't. What is the most important thing to realize here, I think, is that music has a way of becoming "moral poetry" when it weds emotive or intellectual sentiment to melody. It can be a very powerful conveyance, as well as supporting edifice, of one's beliefs and values when executed well in this manner, and, as such, eternally gratifying.

Well,

What kind of a ‘Pheasant-pluckin’/‘Cattle-truckin’ question is that, ‘Goaty’? Are you taking a PHD in ‘Psyche’ or something? ‘Man’, this could get kinda personal, maybe too personal, without skimming over the surface just a little. And maybe I’m not quite getting to what you were asking, exactly, but here’s my shot on ‘influences’:

OK - it’s just gone all quiet in here. A Spanish/French CD just finished playing. Now, without going over to it and copying things down, I would not be able to tell you what it is called; or what it is all about *. “BUT”, it sounds fantastic to yours truly; and I have played it a few times in a row, every week or two, since it was given to me, last year. This is called a ‘raising-of-the-spirits’ by me – another aspect of ‘influence’, in addition to heightened ‘philosophical and/ or emotional awareness’, from lyrics.

To answer your question ‘properly’, would take me more time than I probably have left [‘old’ gringo]. I say this because, in addition to learning from teachers in class-rooms, relationships [i.e. my fellow man, ladies/women back at their/my place, ‘marriage’, fatherhood.], I have learned almost as much and sometimes more from melodies, rhythm and lyrics! [“M,R&L”, if you will.]

I have ‘soaked-up’ M,R&L, since I was ten and maybe younger. From them [and not to mention ‘Movies’], I have taken many of my ‘Permissions’. ‘Permissions’ were what I used [and still use] to encourage me to ‘go-forward’.

M,R&L that I latched onto came from various sources; not least of which was listening to am/fm radio for decades and decades, in both Canada and the UK. Which I’m still into. Much of what I ever ‘bought’, I’d heard on radio first.

The above gave me examples of how/when to listen, ask questions, respond to the needs of others; how to hold up my head, look everyone in the eye, speak my piece when appropriate; and not only that - the options on what to do when any/all of the above are/is royally screwed-up, were abundantly ‘offered-up’ for consideration, too. Plus, as already mentioned, the ability of certain pieces to raise the spirits and otherwise evoke emotions, is tapped-into, almost every day, here. Like, how do you feel when listening to at least one of: DSofTM, Physical Graffiti, Bad Co., Born To Run, Frampton Comes Alive, Back to Black [even]; or Shostakovich’s 5th?

So, through all this, it looks like I’ve arrived here feeling very comfortable in my own skin, ‘thank-you-very-much’! It’s been like receiving ‘affirmations’ from myself by taking-in words and music, that appeal to me [that’s the key/essence], from writers and musicians who, in their time, represent thoughts and feelings ‘approved’ by the ‘Collective’ – the whole of [‘media-buying’] humanity.

Anyway, musically, I came in just before Rock & Roll showed up and have stayed ‘tuned’ ever since.

Just a scant few of the earlier M,R&L that influenced me are:

• What is Life by Kathleen Ferrier [don’t go there, if ‘depression’ does not appeal!]
• Art Thou Troubled by Handel [heavy; but kinda-cool, when sung by KF, above]
• Planet Suite by Gustav Holst
• Bolero by Ravel [These first four being noticed by the ‘pre-teen’ me]
• Heartbreak Hotel by Elvis
• All Shook Up by Elvis
• Long Tall Sally by Little Richard
• Summertime Blues by Eddie Cochran
• All I have to Do Is Dream by The Everly Brothers
• Bird Dog by The Everly Brothers
• Wake Up Little Suzy by The Everly Brothers
• Lola by The Kinks
• Sunny Afternoon by The Kinks
• Suzanne by Leonard Cohen
• ‘The Songs of Leonard Cohen’ [Most of]
• It’s a Beautiful Day by It’s a Beautiful Day [Most of]
• Abraxus by Santana [Most of]
• Child Is Farther To The Man – By Blood Sweat & Tears [Most of]
• Rotary Connection by Rotary Connection [All of]
• The Magic Garden by The 5th Dimension [Most of]
• Stand Up by Jethro Tull [Most of] - http://www.collecting-tull.com/Albums/Lyrics/StandUp.html
• It’s All Over Now by The Stones
• You Can Make It If You Try by The Stones
• The Little Red Rooster by The Stones
• Gimme Shelter by The Stones
• Miss You by The Stones
• Little Deuce Coup by The Beach Boys
• California Girls by The Beach Boys
• Creeque Alley by The Mamas & The Poppas
• Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles
• A Day In The Life by The Beatles
• She’s Leaving Home by The Beatles
• Candles In The Rain by Melanie Safka [All of]
• He Ain’t Heavy by The Hollies
• Bus Stop by The Hollies
• Carrie Ann by The Hollies
• Pin-ball Wizard by The Who
• Who Are You by The Who
• After The Goldrush by Neil Young [the whole ‘bloody’ thing!]
• Are You Experienced/Axis Bold As Love by The JH Experience [Most of]

‘AW, SHUCKS, JIMI’ – THAT’S JUST CHAPTER ONE – FINISHED-OFF BY WOODSTOCK . . .

Except, I did not catch Roy Buchanan till way after he’d gone – a big loss; now a big gain :yes:

Cheers/later, og/Dave :thmbsp:

PS: * Proxima Estacion: Esperanza. By Manu Chao

I can relate to certain artists, but nothing I have heard has influenced me one way or another.
I would bet many of us share a common belief with lots of people, and OTOH we would strongly disagree on a different subject with the same person. Opinions are interesting to discuss but they are just that, opinions, be it about values or morality, politics or religion, on and on.
I do understand the OP, there are times when an artist's work can work wonders on a person's psyche. It's all good.

Oh, here's one that I forgot:


Cheers, og/Dave :thmbsp: