Mar 18 2009
Music That Matters
A few times, I have listened to the radio and gone, “Hey, that’s a nice catchy tune!” and you’ll hear me humming along until I finally Google the lyrics and get a rude shock. ( Have you had such an experience?)
Often, I come across lyrics that do not make sense or are just … well, trashy. Is it because people do not pay much attention to lyrics these days? Is music now merely a background soundtrack in our lives thanks to the iPod?
Thus, it was such a refreshing change when two-time Grammy Award-winner George Duke came along on Primetime Morning recently.
He agrees that music can do more than just entertain and that there is definitely more to it than just your “bling bling” and “booty calls” as he puts it. Just a quick listen to his songs will attest to that. There is plenty of melody, relevance and meaning in his lyrics. His passion in music evidently lies in making a statement with every piece.
Duke: “I think it’s important we talk about the issues of the day. I think that’s one of the most important things a musician can do. Musicians are the link — that spiritual wireless medium — that can touch people in a place that words can’t. Whether we speak the same language or not, the language of music works. “”I think it’s important for the artiste to take a stand on certain subjects. To write about Sudan was an important thing for me because I think it’s a tragic situation.”
Having said that, I do not want to overlook the value of lighthearted, easy listening music which is nice to listen to on a lazy Sunday afternoon, or fun and fast tunes that double up perfectly as workout music, giving you that extra boost an energy drink cannot.I like all kinds of music as long as it has good rhythm and harmless lyrics, although I admit I listen to pop most of the time.
But when music like George Duke’s comes along, I cannot help but feel we sometimes forget there is so much incredible music in our world we should be listening to and appreciating — music that is truly deserving of our attention, time and money.
Don’t you agree?
