What Music Inspired You?
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 11:49AM I just read a quote from Stephen King, the writer, about how life is too short to re-read anything, and I was struck by how inapplicable that is to music. What would we do if we couldn’t return to hear some piece of music that moved us, or saved us or soothed us? 
I remember when I my “second wife” left me for some rich fellow with lots of cocaine. I was so devastated on so very many levels, sometimes it was actually difficult to breathe. I got out of that depression by making as many positive moves as I could, from buying a house (when humans could afford to BUY a house), to learning to ski, to trading glasses for contact lenses, to making love to everyone who would let me.
But the big thing, that is the thing that I did every single morning when I woke up, was to put on Stravinsky’s (http://www.time.com/time/time100/artists/profile/stravinsky.html) Firebird Suite (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Firebird). You know the legend of the firebird, the phoenix. It rises from it’s own ashes into an even bigger and better version of itself. Stravinsky wrote a thematic piece of music that creates that feeling. That’s what I wanted to do and what I was trying to do. And I believe that is what I did.
But I couldn’t have done it without hearing, every single morning that I was home, the Firebird Suite. When it comes to the finale of that song, it feels like my heart is going to burst in my chest from the sheer joy of being alive. That’s a powerful piece of music, let me tell you.
And thinking of that got me to thinking about the various pieces of music throughout my life that have given me a joy of living, a gratitude that I am here, and a goal to shoot for as a musician, composer, singer, recording artist.
I remember hiking through the Devils Punchbowl out near Palmdale with fellow singer/songwriter Don Dunn (www.dondunn.com), Michael Omartian, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Omartian), record producer, and Mark Tulin, bass player for the Electric Prunes (www.electricprunes.com ).
At one point, we became separated; Michael and Mark on one side of the stream and Don and I on the other. We hiked away from each other figuring that we would intersect up the side of the canyon somewhere.
An hour later found us about a quarter of a mile apart on either side of a yawning canyon. We yelled to each other and the organic echo was so fantastic that we immediately and spontaneously broke into the Crosby, Stills & Nash song, Find the Cost of Freedom. (www.crosbystillnash.com ).
Because we were all singers and musicians, we had the harmonies instantly and listening to that song echo off the canyon walls was thrilling. Even the memory of it now makes me feel good, makes me feel glad of the hike, the friendship and most of all, the music.
The first time that I heard Good Vibrations (www.thebeachboys.com), I was driving a car. I literally had to pull over and just listen. The same thing with Owner of the Lonely Heart by Yes. I HAD to pull over. I simply couldn’t drive and take it all in.
So I invite you to ruminate over what music inspired you, soothed you, saved you. Take the time to explore your musical memories and then I suggest this challenge: to create something that is THAT good. Go after it with all your strengths and talents and use those memories as the bar, as the goal you have to reach.
And in truth, it almost doesn’t matter if you make it. There is much to learn and glean from trying your best. If you are shooting for the stars, that’s almost enough.
Almost, …but not quite.
Reader Comments (6)
Wow...I am speechless...I have to go listen to Make Your Own Kind of Music...Both Sides Now...and a bunch of other songs...
Namaste,
Bobby
James…Listening to the tunes of the 60’s and 70’s is both therapeutic and inspiring. Anything with lush harmonies and rich lyrics works for me. And, there were countless artists to draw from. One song that always has left a in indelible mark on me is, “The Wichita Lineman”, by the incomparable tunesmith, Jimmy Webb. Ever time I hear the tune, I say to myself, “now why didn’t I write that”? It’s certainly a great yardstick and something to strive for.
Take care,
Max
max, what a nice surprize to hear from you. and you are right. witchita lineman is a remarkable song. all the more so for that stellar line, "and i need you more than want you, and i want you for all time." i wish i had written that one. and i get back november 16th. we play then, for sure, sorry that we couldn't connect so far.
bobby,glad that i encouraged you to check out the inspirational music that has impacted you thru the years. it's amazing what still has legs and what doesn't hold up at all.
James….Don’t forget, you’ve got some stellar lyrics of your own. My personal favorite is: ”It wasn't just the things she taught me, it was the way her life was lived , it was the sacred joy she carried into everything she did”
Take care and we’ll hookup when you get back for sure this time
Max
Sadly, I am not a musician. I've tried, but my main talent is in writing words.
And, as I have recently found, making fractal art. A digital, mathematical form of art, which today many people regard as simply knob-twiddling and mouse-pointing.
Yet, I feel it's real enough to express me.
Many times music inspires my visual art. And it often inspires my every day life, as it always has.
Music doesn't always lead to tunes or words. Sometimes it inspires something entirely different.
There's often music in my pieces.
blusilva, you are absolutely right and that's because all creativity comes from the same source. it's like water running down a mountain. it follows the path of least resistance and creaativity is the same. it finds it's way out of us however it can. at the risk of sounding maudlin, it's another example of this miracle we call life or consciousness or the god connection.