Music soothes the savage beast (or, in this case, the weirdo writer)

[changeyourstars8]

Music's always been one of the hugely important things in my life. One of the pictures framed in my parents' house is of me at about 7 or 8, holding a tape player that contained the Big Chill soundtrack, headphones on, grinning away.

I've always loved musicals-- Disney, live-action, whatever. I nearly wore out copies of FernGully and Beauty and the Beast and Newsies and The Little Mermaid and Singin' in the Rain when I was a kid.

When I was in high school and dealing with the guidance counselors, I'd go home and blast "You Don't Own Me" and remind myself that this, too, would pass.

Now, no matter what kind of a crappy mood I'm in, I can listen to "Come What May" and feel better. The beginning rhythm of it is calming enough, but then it gets to the first verse with him singing quietly and it's like the musical equivalent of a soft fuzzy blanket. And then the song moves from quiet to passionate and by the end of it I'm singing along (in fact, I am doing so even as I type this. Be glad this is not a phone post) and feeling fine.

Given all this, it's really no surprise that just about every actor I've had a crush on sings.

Scott Bakula sang quite a bit throughout Quantum Leap, and my thirteen-year old self was hooked. I like Broadway shows, but there is one main reason I watch the Tony Awards and Hugh Jackman is it. When Christian Slater sang a Sinatra song on Jay Leno, one of my friends IMd me immediately afterwards to say, "He started that and I thought, 'Stephanie's gotta be on Cloud 9 right now'", and I said, "No, I found Cloud 10".

Whenever I hear "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" on the radio I grin, because I think of Heath Ledger performing it in 10 Things I Hate About You. I love the movie My Own Country for many reasons, but when Naveen Andrews starts singing (I don't know the name of the song, it's in a language I don't know and if I tried to type out any parts of it I'm sure I'd butcher the spelling) I melt into a little puddle. Albeit a puddle with eyes so I can continue watching the movie. I rented Prince of Egypt just so I could hear Ralph Fiennes sing. And do I even have to mention all the many reasons I love Ewan McGregor?

Some people have food fetishes, some have shoe fetishes, I have a voice fetish. Flowers, they're nice; jewelry, can take it or leave it; sing to me, I'm yours. ;-)

What about you guys? Music an obsession, more of a background noise? Favorite songs and why? Favorite musical? Etc. and etc.

Comments

[newredshoes]

The thing about "Come What May" for me is that moment right before Satie's interlude -- that "I will love you": I want a man to make a sound that desperately in love with me someday. You know what I'm talking about -- Ewan just, oh.

As for the other questions, I have Richard III to read -- otherwise I'd talk your ear off! Music is extremely important to me. :)

[allthelivesofme.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know what you're talking about, and if there was ever a time I'd swoon while not wearing a corset for a college play-- yeah. Then.

And go ahead and talk my ear off whenever you have the time-- this entry will still be here, and it's something I'm always willing to chat about. :-)

[allthelivesofme.livejournal.com]

And as long as we're mentioning Moulin Rouge music--

"Elephant Love Medley" has just about the same effect on me . . . I love that song so much that I suggested naming one of Kath's and my novels after it in a way (Stealing Time) That part of the song where they're singing lyrics from "Heroes", the way he sings 'forever and ever'-- words cannot express the sheer ::ZONE:: factor of that part. :-)

[newredshoes]

Oh, for that one for me it's the transition into "I Will Always Love You." Purr.

And his "Why does my heart cry?" bit on "Roxanne" is great too. Plus the first and last verses of "Your Song" -- "and this one's for you... and you can tell ev'rybody..."

Also, the first "I will love you" at the end of the "Come What May" finale -- that's beautiful harmony between him and Nicole Kidman.

[allthelivesofme.livejournal.com]

That part, too. I'd always felt kindof ambivalent about the song "I Will Always Love You" because I heard it so much when I was younger, but man, talk about suddenly gaining a whole new appreciation for it. Heh.

And the Roxanne Tango-- I love the setup of that song, how the two main voices contrast so much . . . one of them rough and angry and cynical about having been through the situation, and the other going through it right then and just sad and crying out for answers.

I did accept a dare from my friend and play that one at the wedding reception. ;-D

[rosevaughn.livejournal.com]

You should have played it during the wedding. ;)

[shadefell.livejournal.com]

One of the most painful things in my life is that I can't sing.

Wait. I can sing. I don't have a vocal problem preventing me from opening my mouth and making some noise. But I sound awful. I'm slightly deaf in one ear and couldn't carry a tune if I had a bucket to put it in.

And that hurts.

I love music so much. My mom is a singer, and both my brothers have perfect pitch. They can pick up instruments and start plucking out tunes in a matter of minutes. My fiance can play by ear. I feel so left out, and it bothers me that I can't take part in something that moves me so much.

I used to play cornet in band. I took lessons for years and years. I quit the day I realized that I was playing the wrong sheet music and hadn't been able to tell the difference between my playing and what everyone else was playing. Nobody else noticed, either, because I sounded as bad as I usually did.

So. I love music. I love listening to music. And I do love singing along, although I usually do it only when there's nobody else around. But my inability to carry a tune also hurts me deeply. :(

[allthelivesofme.livejournal.com]

Aw, I'm sorry. :-(

And I'm sure it's definitely not the same thing, but at least there is the singing-while-alone option (I use that all the time so that no one will wince at me trying to reach notes that I couldn't hit unless someone dropped an anvil on my foot). ;-)

[rosevaughn.livejournal.com]

Well, you know me and my music...lol.

For me, music is more of a relaxant (is that even a word? lol). If I'm stressed, angry, sad, etc., I put on one of my anime soundtracks and read a book. It's not really a fetish with me. But...Moulin Rouge is one of my favorite Musicals. And Chicago. As to favorite songs...usually they're on anime soundtracks.

Now Anime on the other hand...If a man can tell me what GIS SAC 2nd GIG (Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex Season Two) means and can have a conversation with me about the complexities of the Laughing Man and Individual Eleven, or not run away screaming when I start talking about DBZ...Then I'm a puddle of goo...

[allthelivesofme.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I never could've guessed that you like anime. ;-)

And didn't you and I rent Moulin Rouge, and that was when we first saw it?

[rosevaughn.livejournal.com]

Yep. At first, I really didn't like it, but then we watched it again...

[allthelivesofme.livejournal.com]

I remember sitting through the first part going, 'What in the living heck did we rent???' and then it got to "Your Song" and from that moment on I was smitten. LOL

[rosevaughn.livejournal.com]

That's kinda what it was like for me.

[finniscs.livejournal.com]

okay, so I already posted here: http://www.livejournal.com/users/finniscs/65427.html about this but if we're talking what turns us into a puddle of goo about a guy... well, that would be his armpits. for me. heh. just kidding, though thats part of it. ewww. am I sick or what?

seriously, I cant find much attractive about a guy in a suit. hes got to be outdoorsy all the way. hes got to be able to take care of himself and anyone else around him. yeah, a hero like guy. but he's gotta have vulnerabilities too. like he cant be afraid to show emotion.

and nice biceps and a sixpack dont hurt either.

yah.

[allthelivesofme.livejournal.com]

Kath, I've always figured that you were sick. I think it's one of the main reasons we're friends-- birds of a feather and all that. Hee.

And I hear you on the suit thing. They're nice once in a while, but you can't go wrong with jeans and a t-shirt.

[rosevaughn.livejournal.com]

Why even bother with the jeans and t-shirt? ;)

[allthelivesofme.livejournal.com]

You win. LOL

[rosevaughn.livejournal.com]

*bows* Thank you, thank you...I'm here all week.

[photoaddict.livejournal.com]

Yes, music is a complete and total sanity saver. And as good as thundering bass (Metallica 'Harvestor of Sorrow') or screeching guitar (Jimi Hendrix 'Are You Experienced') or piano, is the voice. Especially in harmonies. That is why The Beatles "If I Fell" will always help me out of any down, sad, or furious mood I am in. The same way that "I Get Around" is a complete pick-me-up. But so is Van Halen's "Best of Both Worlds." Now the female voice. I will never be able to put into words how or why it is so appealing. I remember being at a party way back in 1992 and someone had put on Indigo Girls "Virginia Woolf" From the Rites of Passage album. I was completely mesmorized by the harmonies. But every few weeks I'll hear something new that just is a great piece of work. Yeahb I'm a hopeless bastard for the female singing voice.