Every day, I receive an average of six e-mails from readers both here and abroad. It’s heartwarming that most of them like the things I write about. While many ask questions related to audio matters, some are content to merely express pleasure in sharing my preference for music that is old and sentimental. Eloquent love songs such as The Way You Look Tonight, As Time Goes By or When I Fall In Love unfailingly evoke poignant romantic memories in someone, somewhere in the world.
What is it about an old-fashioned love song that draws even young people? By some stroke of good luck, I got this e-mail from a dear friend in London that offers an explanation.
Paul Strawford, who visits Manila frequently and considers the Philippines his second home, writes:
“It’s not a time warp; it is my life. I have a song for every major or minor event in my life. There are songs that were written from big hearts about tragic events that happened just as I was becoming aware of The World (I love Neil Young). There are songs that inspire, make you happy or sad, remind you of girlfriends, breakups, etc. Is it just coincidence that they are all pre-1984?
“It does not matter if the ‘50s or ‘60s were ‘The Beginning of Rock ‘n’ Roll.’ Waiting for unique materials after 20-plus years is a long time. Not all of the great composers lived long, but their music lives on and is rarely improved upon. Perhaps, what they all had in common was that they flourished at a time when one had to do things by himself: he went out to observe or participate. Back then, people demonstrated, they marched, they got involved. Without the Mods, would there be The Who? Without underground clubs, would there be Boy George or The Beatles? Without David Bowie, would there be Joy Division or Wire? Without Elvis and John Lennon, would there be any modern music at all?
“The computer has stifled many forms of personal creativity. People demonstrate from a blog. They can view the world on their screen so they see no need to venture outside to see it or risk getting hurt or arrested. So where is the meaning? I believe this is one reason for the decline in unique new music and the interest in retro songs. Not enough kids get together in a bedroom to play guitar anymore. Plus, how many can afford the cost to be noticed or are allowed to develop a different interest when today’s kids are loaded with hours of homework and pressured to obtain more and more diplomas? They have no time.
“As for me, I miss the so-called underground music we had after school, I miss the too-few years I was involved in Northern Soul: the friendships I formed, the excitement I felt, and the difference it made in my life. [Note: Northern Soul is a type of mid-tempo and up-tempo heavy-beat soul music (of mainly African American origin) that was popularized in Northern England in the mid 1960s, from which sprung dance styles and fashions that emanated from the Twisted Wheel club in Manchester and spread to other dancehalls and nightclubs.]
“Try explaining sitting on a stinky bus for a few hours to get to a club that opens in the early hours of the morning, playing records made by people who were and still are mostly unknown. It does not make sense to people today who can just download the same songs. They will never understand because it was an emotional affair. It died because of sudden media exposure, unwarranted police interference and the simple fact that the core got married, had children and could not afford the time or money for it to continue.
“I do hope the equivalents of underground clubs exist today, I truly hope there is an equivalent of Northern Soul, and I hope it lasts no more than five years so it can become the time warp of kids ages 18 to 23 today. I don’t have to like the clubs or their music, and I don’t have to be involved. I just wish they are there, somewhere, so people can have their own unique version of their own time warp. They can share mine. However, although they can enjoy the tune, they will never understand what it means. This is how it should be. It was and is my life. If it warrants an explanation, there is no point. I have no idea how to explain or recreate the emotion. Call me a grumpy old bloke, I don’t care. Lorraine Chandler sings to me, and she says she loves me, baby.”
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For comments or questions, please e-mail me at audioglow@yahoo.com or at vphl@hotmail.com. You can also visit www.wiredstate.com or http://bikini-bottom.proboards80.com/index.cgi for quick answers to your audio concerns.