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. :)

[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. :(

[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...

[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.

[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.