When we have a meal at a restaurant, most of us usually either think the food is good or that it is not-so-good. We can only express how much we enjoyed or did not enjoy the meal. But a chef who eats the same meal would be thinking analytically: As he evaluates the meal, he thinks about the ingredients that went into the dishes, the processes in which the food was cooked, how the different ingredients came together to produce the desired effect, how things could have been improved, and how it ranks amongst the food from other restaurants.
When we watch a movie, most of us usually either say it was a good movie or a not-so-good movie. We can only express how much we like or dislike it. But a movie director would think in terms of the cinematography, the flow of the plot, the quality of the script, the filmmaking techniques used, the post-production quality, etc.
When we look at a printed publication, we usually read it for what it is, and sometimes we would say ”Hmm, this is a nice publication.” But a printer would look at it and think about the paper types used, estimate the complexity and scale of the job, evaluate the way in which the publication was bound, the evenness and tones of the colours, the accuracy of the die-cut, the quality of the varnish or lamination, etc.
What am I getting at?
Well, what I’m saying is that different people evaluate things differently. Some look at it in simple terms of “Yes, I like it” or “No, I don’t like it”. Others think much more deeply and analytically, especially those who are familiar with that particular subject matter.
In the same way, I find myself listening to new songs nowadays very analytically.
Too analytically, in fact. Too much for my own liking.
I find myself being very critical of the songwriting that went behind this new song which I’m hearing. I’m thinking about the melody line, I’m thinking about the chord progressions, I’m thinking about the structure of the song, I’m thinking about the arrangements to the song, I’m thinking about the strength of the chorus, etc.
Thinking too much.
Sometimes I’ll say “This melody very ordinary what.” Or sometimes I’ll say “The structure is very interesting, there seems to be an extended second verse.” Or sometimes I’ll say “The verse was great, but somehow the chorus didn’t seem to give the listener the pay-off that it seemed to promise.”
Thinking too much.
Sometimes I wish I could just think with my heart instead of with my head, especially when it comes to songs.
I think one would enjoy a song much better if you listened with your heart. Just let it come to you. If you like it, you like it. If you don’t, you don’t. No need to try and justify why it is so. Sometimes “gut feel” is the best way to appreciate something.
And that’s the attitude I’d remind myself to carry for tomorrow’s Songcraft session. (I’m all pumped up and looking forward to tomorrow’s session!)
