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?
21 responses so far
Maybe he is a great musician. However before your post, I never even heard his name. And I just finished playing his album ‘Jazz Moods – ‘Round Midnight’ which was released on 15-June-2004, nothing special I’ve found and felt.
I agree music can do more than entertain, but his music is not just for me.
Mosaic is great this year, especially since Ivan Lins came…but I’m broke
He has a voice most women will melt when exposed to 
Check out his collaboration with trumpeter Terence Blanchard called “The Heart Speaks” where his songs are given new interpretations.
[Suz: Would you like to preview my soon-to-be released songs? The lyrics aren't trashy as far as I can tell
Preview is by invitation only, y'know 
]
Hi Joon,
yea, maybe not everybody’s cup of tea. Who are your favorite artistes? Are you a jazz person or a hip hop lover?
i think what shapes our ideas or our appeal to certain things might depend on the kinda of experience or journey we had in life or our background… I guess i related to george’s Sudan link so what’s going on there is just so painful… anyway love to hear from you more…
suz
Hi Yappadoo,
Sure! I’d love to have a peek at what you’ve written. so what is it called?
suz
Hi Suzanne,
Just happened to chance upon your blog for the first time and saw this entry about music!
Yes, singers have a unique privilege to influence through their songs, their lyrics. But how many can “afford” to go too far off to sing/write about issues that may not sell? Perhaps the producer can afford them just one such song in an album!
The amazing thing about music is that one can sing with heartfelt conviction, and that sincerity carries through, even across languages that one doesn’t understand! Unfortunately, my “vocabulary” is limited mostly to gospel music + chinese pop
Anyway, if you have time, search for Jay Chou’s “Olympic song” on Youtube – the version he sung “live” in the Forbidden City. Just sense the message before translating the lyrics.
Hi suzanne,
Thanks for the comment. I didn’t expect that.
I’m not either jazz person or hip hop lover. I just listen music that I can feel something from. It can be pop, jazz or hip hop, and classic.
Majority is pop, of course because much higher chance to listen in anywhere.
Btw, you know any nice English music that can sing to lover? It should be ok to sing for person who has deep deep voice.
Hi ,
I do agreed that music can do more than just entertain . I like lighthearted, easy listening music which nice to listen to but not those heavy metal music….haa..haa..which i cannot take it.. But not sure about George Duke’s music, will try to look around for it.
hi everyone,
I am very happy to be here to share with you some of my thoughts on the topic of “music”. First of all , i like nostalgic classic songs, a little for hip-hop. Whenever music is great , it brings a happy sense,no no ,brings temperamental change for mood,let people relaxed and put bad temper into sky ,no happy ,no sad,just a feeling to enjoy , forget everything , it is like drugs .(hah)
Do you agree with me , my friends ?
Music should carry more than just a catchy tune. I am the kind who goes for theme or story, which can be packaged into a nice Music Video. Some of your Korean musicians are really good at that, which makes me an avid listener of Brown Eyes music. The music video tells the story while the music translates the feelings, a treat to visual and audio senses.
Hi Xianghui,
You’re right about the delivery. If the singer is not sincere or genuine in his/her delivery, the words mean nothing. I remember once watching Beyonce on Oprah and while she’s someone I consider a good singer, i never really saw her as a great singer.
But there was one time when I was absolutely mesmerized! She sang a song – quite boring melodically and lyrically and not the type that’ll get much airplay on radio… but wow, she definitely sang with such conviction i was pretty much glued to it. Her delivery was excellent and you could see she’s very engrossed in her song. I don’t know who she was singing to or thinking of as she sang that song… but definitely left a lasting impression on me
don’t they give you goosebumps when they sing like that?
suzanne
Hi Joon,
…
some of my fav love songs are by savage garden. Very melodic and the words are beautiful. I also like stevie wonder’s ‘isn’t she lovely’ but I think too deep a voice for this one might not work
Hi Cindy and Jason,
hmmm… your comparison to drugs- that’s interesting haha. I think i know what ya mean… i guess it’s when you let yourself drown in the music and it helps you escape momentarily from the real world 
I think i use music to relax me sometimes… so no heavy-duty for me too. definitely prefer those that are happy than sad like you mentioned jason
suzanne
Hi Louis,
yea! some music videos are great huh? K-pop is good at that i agree.
Do you understand Korean by any chance? The lyrics are quite good too…
i’m wondering… can you sometimes sense that there is a korean/chinese or american flavour to music by the way it’s arranged and sounds? I sometimes listen to a tune and i go ” gosh, that’s so korean style! or chinese style!’ Not sure if it’s just me…
but yea, when i hear a so-called ‘ korean-flavoured’ tune… it doesnt have to be sung in korean… there’s a sense of nostalgia…
just my thoughts..
suzanne
Thanks, suzanne.
I just now purchased the album and the song, ‘isn’t she lovely’. But did’t play before I did, since you recommended. =p
Hi Su,
I played some and I love it. I’d never get a chane to know about Savage Garden, if you didn’t recommend.
Thanks a lot. I really appreciate.
Suz: check thy inbox
hey suzanne bit long but yea..um personally i think daughtry is one of those that has great music n most of the time with meaning within the song..i mean has anyone seen the vid for what abt now?..really makes u think abt urself..wish savage garden didnr spilt..
Hi Su,
Oh I see ,you look very nice on pretime morning on channelnewsasia, a good job… best for you…
Hi Suzanne ,
saw yur comment on korean songs… haha , how does music / songs sounds korean , jap , chinese or english… ?? i do believe instruments used in the song will bring out the “dish” .. but , its always the vocalist who brings out the taste of the songs he/she sings… Music does play a big part in our life i have to say …
Hi Joon, listen to George Duke’s earlier projects with Stanley Clarke during his prime in the 80s. Also the song Shine On. These are great.
Topic of the day\’s Music is a language of love but when there\’s no reply and only fantasy how can music grow??
Hmm I think I have to agree with you the fact that now..songs have became..pretty meaningless. I mean, lyrically. I just love songs with good written lyrics that is able to connect and relate with me.