Music

"Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought" --E.Y. Harburg

*Edit: had to change it from 11 to 12 (i forgot Neon! How could i have forgoton Neon?!)

Music is HUGE for me. It's like food, and water and air (it is to most teenagers, most adults don't know ;) it's the key to understanding us).
I think the way to get the most enjoyment out of music is to get rid of any inhibitions you might have. Stop thinking pop is fake, or that death metal is crazy, that violins are classical or that techno is boring. You have to appreciate music for what it is! Strip it down and see it through the eyes of the people who made it. Pop's morals, death metal's philosophy, electric violins in rock bands (the BEST!) and techo's beats! There are a lot of other things I missed, but you get the general idea!

I thought I should show MY music and my favorite songs (and why). You can tell most about people by the music they listen to (and what they listen for!).

Favorite Songs

Ok, this killed me inside but i came up with my top 12 songs! To fit the bill, these songs had to have influenced my life in one way or another, be memorable because of a special occasion, or be so good i could listen to them for years (in many cases, I have!)

Neon by John Mayer
The city at night in a song, its that simple. I love the city, and this impossibly-hard guitar riff (John Mayer's speciality!) that starts off the song just captures it. I always smile when i hear this song, its brilliantly written and a great sound. Its a song you take to heart, i reckon i might want this played at my funeral, so much does it grab me. It should grab you to, just listen to it!

Skylark by Mel Torme (only his version counts!)
This song is so damn infectious. You'll be singing it everywhere, and I did on many occasions! It's the best "crooning" song, and is full of that old style 30's charm. Mel Torme's excelent voice makes it brilliant, and the flutes and muted trumpets just peak it over all the other songs.

Meditation by Joolz Gianni
The opening note to this song is an A. You know why you should care? Because that opening note pierces you in its brilliance, and slows life down to a snails pace. An instrumental piece mostly done on the sax, this song is the single most relaxing thing ever created. It is just plain beautiful, and life can only be fulfilling if you have listened to this song, believe me!

Endlessly by Muse
I have to say, tears spring to eyes when I hear this song. It grabbed what I felt after the Liz (not her real name!) incident and put it into song. Full of emotion, from longing to love to sadness to anger. It truely captures love, with crazy sounds (Mandolin trills, muted piano, techno-ey beat) and a fast pacing (even though the song seems slow). Brilliant lyrics, and perfect vocals. It makes you depressed about how love can hurt, but pushes you back up because it shows you that it really is worth it, no matter the cost.

The Crowd by Cat Empire
It is impossible to not be smiling by the end of this song (especially if you live in Melbourne). It could have been called "Ode to Melbourne", it really catches Melbournes vibe, and puts it into the most enjoyable song I know. It's the little things; like every time the chorus comes more people have joined in, all singing harmonies (the Crowd, get it?). Awesome brass, especially because it's not involved until second half of the song (the BEST entrance). The lyrics are as infectious and smart as the beat, you need to dance and sing this song by the end! I love it!

Hazy Shade of Winter by Simon & Garfunkle
I love S&G's style of music, and this one is their best hands down. It's very unknown to most, but is worth it if you can get your hands on it! They're guitar work is awesome, creating an infectious chord progression with a great feel to it. The lyrics are really S&G, as are the harmonies that they use (brilliant as ususal!) in every one of their songs. A top song!

Father and Son by Cat Stevens
One of the most well written songs ever. It's very much a story in a song, with the Father singing about how he is about to die, then the Son replying with how he can't take it at the moment. The best part is how they repeat these and have the other singing over the top (the impulsive Son trying to interupt the Father singing to get his point across, then the Father trying to calm the Son during his singing). While both parts are sung by Cat, they are so different. The Father singing calmly, and the Son singing powerfully and emotionaly. A brilliant piece of music, and one that brings tears to the eye.

Sic Transit Gloria (Glory Fades...) by Brand New
Truely captures the teen sex scene. The lyrics are so powerful and ironic (as Brand New do so well), it really shows how most teen sex is pressured and horrible. A great line from the song is "The tickle, the taste of, it used to be the reason I breathed and now it's choking me up". This song will shake you up, I should warn you. I actually felt sick after hearing it, so powerful is the song. Awesome guitar work with a great chorus, but not one you'd have on at a party ;). Well worth a listen if you like songs with messages.

Life Sentance by Epicure
Brilliant guitar work, as per usual by Epicure. A great one to sing along to, as the chorus is the most catchy music ever! Vocals are amazing, another trait of this Australian band. Awesome lyrics, a progressive song with a well suited track. Very hard to explain, as the beauty of this song needs to be heard. Get you're hands on it now!

Corner of the Earth by Jamiroquai
"Not your typical Jamiroquai" would be your first thought during the instumental opening of this song. This truely is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Mother Nature could not ask for a better track to be represented by. Classical picking, sweeping violins, trumpet solo's; this song has it all musically. The lyrics carry a powerful message and is subtly funky in a way only Jamiroquai could do it. Makes you want to go hug trees, lol!

Apossibly by The Apex Theory
Opens with one of the BEST guitar riffs you will ever hear. Then breaks into a heavy chorus that makes you just want to headbang (lol). The dynamics of this song is something to watch, they way it's quiet on the verses (and the singer almost whispers sometimes, brilliant atmosphere) and then loud and heavy metal for the chorus. All this backed up with very well thought out lyrics and great muscial talent! Look out for the robot-y sounding bit and watch how well silence is used! Awesome!

Aisle 10 by Scapegoat Wax
One of the oddest songs to have ever been made, but is absoutly rockin! The beat is infectious, and the urban sound really pumps you up. Extreamly strange lyrics and some odd vocals at the end, but it's unforgettable (for all the right reasons ;) lol) This song is from the soundtrack of the game Jet Set Radio Future (which by the way, is one of the best video game soundtracks around!) Really funky and hip-hoppy, gotta love it!