How do you listen?

[thetruth]

I was wondering, in general, how do you listen to music? When I listen ot music I very rarely listen to the words as words but rather hear them as another instrument. Like the vocals are there more for the sound instead of the meaning behind the words. I believe this is why I love japanese music is because, even though I don't understand it, the sound of japanese sung is rather smooth and pleasent. So do you listen to vocals as a message or sound? Do you focus on particular instruments or whole sections? DO you normally visualize something when listening to music like your at the concert or playing the song yourself or are you just letting it be a background noise?

[Shylock]

You pretty much just summed up how I view vocals. I understand the importance of lyrics, but I'm more interested in... well the music in music. If I can understand the lyrics, great, but the mood, the melody of the song convey exactly what emotions the artist is trying to evoke. I guess that's why I like foriegn music a lot too. "Music is a universal language; it knows no race and no borders." - Sawao Yamanaka

[manofepictales]

Lyrics have their place, but I almost solely listen to music for how it sounds. I listen to a lot of metal, and good luck trying to grasp what some of their vocalists say. Besides that, the lyrics aren't usually very good.

I still dig on metal, though, since there's a lot going on and that's usually how I like my media. I am also a fan of how the vocals sound a decent amount of the time, but that gets a lot of hate.

I dig on random pop songs, including some foreign. Dragostea Din Tei, Barbie Girl, Everytime We Touch, A Thousand Miles=masterpieces.

I'm listening to some Cellador right now, actually.. I listen to music mostly when I'm on the computer, in the car, or playing video games.

[thetruth]

Whuch bings up Video game music. What would that be considerd? But I always struggle with myself when it comes to listening to music over the games. Music from the game sometimes makes the game. But music from Final Fantasy is one rason why I love most of the games. The only time I find myself listening to other music while playing is either a sport game or im leveling up or something like that.

[manofepictales]

Eh, unless it's Zelda or Shadow of the Colossus or something I don't have qualms about putting on my own music.

I try to give it a fair shot, but usually it's uninspired. I don't play that many RPGs, though... Never really was a fan of the genre (besides the Pokemon craze, of course).

[Shylock]

Actually, I beleive it was Harry who recently showed me some music from Final Fantasy which was mind blowing, but that could be the exeption to the rule. Some of the 8-bit stuff has a special place for me. As for playing other music over it, yea during sports games, and I found my self doing that over Mario Kart. Radiohead goes surprisingly well with it

[manofepictales]

Nothing beats listening to some Children of Bodom will playing SSX 3, which is what I used to do. It doesn't really fit, looking back.

Shooters beg for music to be played during multiplayer, though.

[cledro]

i have certain songs that i just like the beat and flow of the songs, and i enjoy the actual sound of the music. but in most cases, i def listen to the lyrics of the song. they are there for a reason, and if they are meaningful, then it adds to the beauty of the song. a song can be very powerful, i have listened to songs and actually cried, listened to songs and laughed, smiled, or become energized. listen to last kiss by pearl jam and really listen to the lyrics, and you will know what i mean.

[zayuri]

I also view the vocals as just another instrument added to the mix. However I do love looking at the lyrics and seeing the messages that they try to convey. When I listen to music, I like to break apart all the instruments. Like by focusing on maybe the bass for a while, then the drums, then one of the guitars. You know? I don't know why I do it.

[harry044]

i always like to listen beat music ..i always listen and mostly put stress on beats used in music ..the voice of guitar or either the instruments used in it...