Monday, February 13, 2012

Pain For Perfection - -

I keep getting flashbacks, I mean my memory is very vivid when it comes to certain conversations that my mother and father had in our backyard  in India. It would be a moonlit night and my father would be in his easy chair and my mother, sometimes my aunt too, would be sitting on the veranda steps and they would talk till midnight about life itself. They would discuss how certain kings lost their kingdoms to the British, because of their own negligence. Sometimes they would discuss how fine art was a result of struggles people went through. The last king of the famous Mogul Empire had lost everything to the British, because his own courtiers were unfaithful to him. That last king ended up dying far outside his kingdom. His name however lives because of his poetry. A lot of modern day singers have selected his poetry for their song and they are beautiful. Yet since the singers have not gone through the pains that the king/poet had to go through, one cannot hear the spark in their voices. One can only appreciate the beauty of the king's poetry.

                                                                                 

It is Grammy Monday today, I mean a lot of us have gone to work either to sleep or to discuss Adele.  When I first heard "Rolling in the deep", I thought of Adele as a forty some years old woman, who is hurting. I was shocked to find out that she is so young.  Yesterday during the Grammys she mentioned something about bad relationship, I came to understand that she is not just singing that song, she has lived that song. That is the reason that song touches so many people's hearts.

The results of what autotuning is doing to our young people and their songs will be visible only after comparing them to Adele. I hope that no one has to go through what Adele has gone through in her journey of such a young life. On the other hand, I wish that today's singers (including singers from India) try and understand that beauty in singing will be heard if they sing from their heart.

Last week they played a song on the radio, that had the glimpse of a shattered heart. At first I thought that some one was copying Adele. Then my mind went towards Heidi Klum, as she has just broken up with Seal. Then I laughed as Heidi Klum is not a singer. Within a second I said, "Could this be Katy Perry?"  Right after the song ended the announcer said, that it was Katy Perry. Growing up is hard, but music is harder.

17 comments:

Shelly said...

I do think you are right, Munir. The best songs are sung by people who have lived what they are singing about. At least, those are the songs that touch us emotionally.

klahanie said...

Greetings Munir,
A poignant posting that resonates with the memories of your times with your parents in India.
And the tie in between the poetry of that last king and the inspiration to some of today's contemporary music artists, is a thought provoking angle.
True expression of music comes from the heart. Adele, whose fame has reached out from Britain so rapidly, is a most emotive example.
Thank you for this posting.
With respect and kind wishes, your way, Gary

fishducky said...

As any good voice teacher would tell you, you must sing not only from your diaphragm, but from your heart.

Belle said...

I find the poetry of King David in the Psalms inspiring. He wrote from experience and his heart. Wonderful post, Munir.

Granny Annie said...

A painful poetic romance is usually immature. A loving romance, filled with give and take and sharing and commitment, hard work and dedication is mature and lasting.

My parents had that as your parents had that. They all sat outside at night and pondered life and wondered if their children would find such comforting existence.

I am so very happy that I did.

Lisa said...

Heidi Klum broke up with Seal!!?? I have so much to catch up. When Whitney passed away, my younger son said Whitney who? He really did not know. And he saw me crying, he said if you cry for Whitney, it means you would cry for everybody. Well he's not completely wrong.

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Yeah Adele has had heartbreak but on the plus side, her life is far more interesting and filled with money than mine.

Tracy said...

Munir,
I love Adele...her voice is magnificient and her sense of self is even better! Very refreshing...yes my husband and I watched the Grammy's and discovered how 'our of sync' we are with todays' music....

Chatty Crone said...

Happy Valentine's Day. sandie♥

Anonymous said...

Being a huge music fan I have to agree. The music that touches me the most are songs that are heart felt. As for listening to your parents talk about odds and ends I think that children learn a lot about life that way. Thank you for coming to fiisit me even though I can't always return the favor. I will be over as my eyes allow me too. Take care my friend..

yaya said...

I think all forms of art must be driven from the heart. But I also think that a life well lived has many trials that are overcome. I can remember my parents and other relatives sitting around talking about things and I would find it very interesting as a child to just sit and listen to them. I guess it's a small world after all!

Sarah Tokeley said...

The best singers are definitely the ones who make me feel they've really lived through pain.

DWei said...

I'm not sure what to think of this because my favorite songs are usually ones without lyrics. ._.

Crazy Life of a Writing Mom said...

I love this! And your memories sound so beautiful.

It's amazing how much experience can bring out. I kept trying to be a writer. It wasn't until I wrote about my love for my son who died, that my words finally flowed.

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Song writing and performing has to be a lot like writing books...the more experiences you have the more passionate your writing. :)

Clint said...

I agree wholeheartedly---music comes from the heart, and when a singer does not have the true feeling of the meaning, the song is just a melody with little meaning.

I like music that comes from the bible verses---those songs always have great soulful meaning.

Ruth said...

I love songs that speak to me.
I don't know how I keep missing your posts. :/