Janet Collins
Billy MThe Soundtrack To Self Realization
March 26th 2007 10:49
Radiohead
Music means a lot to the world, it means a lot to the people of the world. We’re often hearing about how a particular band or artist has spurred some form of self realization, caused an epiphany of insight. But can music change a life? Can it change the way one views their situation, their relationships? There’s no doubting it’s a powerful medium, possibly the most powerful. It can inflate, deflate, comfort or disgust. It can influence political ideals and create cultural revolutions. It has been the soundtrack to war, love and all in between. It has divided and united. But can a band change a life? Can a band change my life?
I’ve gone through my fair share of genre. I’ve been through the commercial pop of my youth, the angst ridden rock rebellion of teenage years, the pretentious indie scene and the soul explosion. Somehow, I’ve managed to end up with Deep-Funk Indie Euro Prog Underground-Post Punk. It’s a technical term, you wouldn’t understand. But, if just one group could bring on this spiritual revelation, who would it be? How do you go about answering that?
Has Radiohead changed my life? I’m not sure. Can you attribute such a dramatic notion of self development to a band? I don’t walk around with a photo of Thom Yorke tattooed to my forehead, nor do I talk of maths and buzz like a fridge. But I do feel a sense of musical purpose when listening to his wailings. I haven’t changed my life according to Radiohead, but to me they are certainly more than just a musical group.
Possibly, a band can’t change your life, rather it enters your world as you are about to change. It can influence, both socially and musically, but can it dictate who you are as a person? I don’t believe so. I do, however, still plan to call my first born child Thom Yorke.
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Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
What is about Radiohead that gets to males in particular? I've had so many guys tell me about their spirtual epiphanies at the hands of Radiohead?
I must be missing something, cos I hate Radiohead (and I know that it's practically a punishable crime to admit that out loud). Can't stand em'. Of course, I write a celebrity gossip blog.....so I'm hardly 'deep'. That's probably the problem. LOL.
Other than your terrible musical tastes (hehehe), you've written a great post!!!
So true!!!
Keep up the good work
Kylie
Comment by Jonathon
Anthroblogogy
i'm more into the 'retro psyche-core progressive house soul r'n'b new skool trip-hop'.
you dig?
Comment by Billy M
Thanks for the comments, even if you did just insult the Great man and his Great friends. I know, Radiohead has the ability to divide listeners and send them into a violent, angry brawl – but I like em. . Maybe it’s generational, they might have picked up on the feelings of the 90’s youth, or possible they just provided us with an excuse to feel sorry for ourselves. There’s nothing I like more than wallowing in my introverted moodiness.
Jonathon,
I am diggin’ that brutha! I don’t mind breaking out a bit of 'retro psyche-core progressive house soul r'n'b new skool trip-hop’. I love my obscure sub-genres!