09-05-2009, 08:11 PM
I believe that everything is sacred whether it is Sarah McLachlan singing In the Arms of an Angel or Ozzie Osborne strutting onstage singing Crazy Train. But having a strong desire to increase my positive polarity, I am very wary of embracing anything that could push me in the opposite direction. I am a rocker and have played rock professionally for nearly 30 years. I am a major fan of Led Zeppelen, Ozzie and Black Sabbath (Let's not forget the legendary Spinal Tap!) My band has been opening act for Blue Oyster Cult as well as Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad. This music is close to my heart.
However, I began to remove certain songs from my repertoire when I realized that words have spiritual power. For example, one of my favorite songs musically is Stranglehold by Ted Nugent. I even bought an effects pedal for my bass that gave me the right tone for playing that song. But the lyrics are about stalking a woman and threatening her with violence. He warns her of the time "I got you in a stranglehold baby, then I smashed your face." I love the groove but I don't want those lyrics coming out of my mouth onstage.
I think it really comes down to what type of effect a particular song has the listener. I personally love blues and blues rock where the lead guitar is the actual "voice" of the band such as Hendrix, Cream or Stevie Ray Vaughn. I don't pay close attention to lyrics and my rock heros tend to be guitar players rather than vocalists. It's not until I have to sing a song that I really pay attention to the lyrics because those words will be coming out of my mouth. But once I began to equate a song with a certain message, it exists on a completely different level for me. It is at that point that my consciousness accepts or rejects the message.
I doubt that most people listen consciously to music. It's like the background music to our lives. Often, when I hear a song on the radio, distant memories surface. I remember hearing the song at certain times with certain people. I don't pay attention to the lyrics unless something unusual attracts my attention. I think there is great music in all genres, and all genres have songs with negative lyrics. I still enjoy listening to Nugent, I just reject the message of Stranglehold.
Keep on rockin'!!!!!!
However, I began to remove certain songs from my repertoire when I realized that words have spiritual power. For example, one of my favorite songs musically is Stranglehold by Ted Nugent. I even bought an effects pedal for my bass that gave me the right tone for playing that song. But the lyrics are about stalking a woman and threatening her with violence. He warns her of the time "I got you in a stranglehold baby, then I smashed your face." I love the groove but I don't want those lyrics coming out of my mouth onstage.
I think it really comes down to what type of effect a particular song has the listener. I personally love blues and blues rock where the lead guitar is the actual "voice" of the band such as Hendrix, Cream or Stevie Ray Vaughn. I don't pay close attention to lyrics and my rock heros tend to be guitar players rather than vocalists. It's not until I have to sing a song that I really pay attention to the lyrics because those words will be coming out of my mouth. But once I began to equate a song with a certain message, it exists on a completely different level for me. It is at that point that my consciousness accepts or rejects the message.
I doubt that most people listen consciously to music. It's like the background music to our lives. Often, when I hear a song on the radio, distant memories surface. I remember hearing the song at certain times with certain people. I don't pay attention to the lyrics unless something unusual attracts my attention. I think there is great music in all genres, and all genres have songs with negative lyrics. I still enjoy listening to Nugent, I just reject the message of Stranglehold.
Keep on rockin'!!!!!!
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