For the Love of Good Music
“The greatest achievement of our civilization if you keep religion and science to one side has been music. It’s a continuous tradition of reflection through the articulate sound on what it is to be human ……..a constant attempt to build abstract structures that mirror our emotional nature as rational and social beings.This great achievement can be imparted to the young and it changes their lives. Changes not only the way they see the world but also of seeing one another.” — Roger Scruton, Philosopher
Nearly 25 years ago, the band Queen lamented the fall of music in their anthem, “Radio Gaga”, saddened by the fact that it had been relegated to some background noise. Though a music lover myself, I didn’t think things were so bad, until recently. I must confess that I have a vested interest as my love for music from a young age has come to my aid in the most unexpected places.
Another Brick in the Wall — Pink Floyd: This is the most vivid example that to this day I cannot believe really happened. I was sitting in an interview for my B school admission with 2 professors (from Finance & Statistics — yikes!). The conversation slowly moved to my love for 60s and 70s rock, then to the Beatles, Zeppelin, Floyd, etc. The stats professor then proceeded me to defend my love for this song and its anti educational theme with the decision to seek admission in the college (maybe he was just pulling my leg). To say I didn’t expect this is an understatement, but my years of being immersed in music had me prepared. We went deep and I’d like to think that I surprised him a bit. And yes, I got my admission into the course as well.
Roadhouse Blues — The Doors: Having completed my course, it was a final session with our HOD (someone for whom my respect has only increased in the last 10 years). He advised us, wished us well and then requested if he could sing something for us. I will never forget what happened next, he proceeded to belt out the song with full gusto in our classroom. The guys started banging on the benches and joining in on the chorus — there was a thunderous energy. What a way to say goodbye!
Carry on My Wayward Son — Kansas: At a recent workshop, we were asked to share some piece of writing that had inspired us and I could think of nothing better than the lyrics to this song. Though I must have listened to the song for the first time some 15 years ago and innumerable times hence, I hadn’t paid much attention to the lyrics, till now. I felt as if someone reached into my mind and my heart and put the mess inside into words. (Here’s a sample: “Masquerading as a man with a reason / My charade is the event of the season / And if I claim to be a wise man, / Well, it surely means that I don’t know!”)
So today when people relegate music to ambient noise or just repetitive electronic beats accompanying shallow and meaningless words, I want to join with Freddie Mercury and cry out “Let’s hope you never leave old friend , Like all good things on you we depend, So stick around ’cause we might miss you!”
