Music, the sound of this world, the thing that brings communities together. The talent it takes not just to sing or play music, but to perform music is just out of this world impressive. Recently, however, I feel that music has been kind of slacking in terms of how music used to be.
When considering musical greats, personally, I have to think back to the middle of the 1900’s to Johnny Cash, Michael Jackson, and even KISS. These people are called the greats for a reason, and the time period for all of these legends matches up almost perfectly.
While many artists today try to compare with these icons, nobody can truly replicate how their music spoke to the audience of the 1900’s. Take Johnny Cash and Zach Top, for example, while yes, they are both very accomplished artists, “I Never Lie” by Top and classics like “Ring of Fire” or “I Walk The Line” by Cash will never compare, because they just don’t have the same appeal or the same passion that Johnny Cash had for his music.
Speaking of passion, one artist that really stands out to me is the “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson. Even that name, the KING of Pop, Jackson, was so good at what he did at the time that he was called the king of an entire genre of music. With songs like “Thriller” and “Man in the Mirror,” Jackson shows his true feelings through not just the lyrics, but the music itself. Especially in Thriller, the fast-paced music accompanied by the lyrics and the music video just makes it a fantastic song.
Another artist who pops into my mind when thinking of love is the original loverboy, Marvin Gaye. When thinking about songs like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” which just so happens to be Gaye’s biggest hit, what comes to my mind is modern-day artist Bruno Mars. Lots of Mars’ songs replicate Gaye’s style and lyrics, take “Locked Out of Heaven,” for example; both songs talk about how the author feels about his love interest, talking about how there is nothing they wouldn’t do to help them, or how Mars feels like he will never be good enough for this girl because she is so perfect.
However, solo artists are not the only kind of music that hasn’t exactly gotten better with age. Certain bands just don’t feel right when listening to them.
One of my favorite bands ever, KISS, which I coincidentally discovered by accident, puts me in a great mood every time I hear them. One of my favorite songs from them, “I Was Made For Loving You,” just completely blows bands like The Foo Fighters out of the water. Since both bands are in the same genre of music, I expected them to be kind of the same, but for me, KISS is just the better band overall and can not be beat.
Although my favorite genre of music overall is gospel music. The way that music can go hand in hand with my religion is just perfect for me. It inspired me to not only be a drummer for my church, but also to take lessons from one of the top gospel drummers that I know, Wardell Potts Jr., or “Mr.Pocket.” Gospel music truly has changed my life and done so much for me.
“Where words leave off, music begins,” Heinrich Heine said.
