Rock exists in a multitude of dimensions, and it is evident that for each individual, the meaning of this music is undeniably different, based on experiences and age. Right now, I’ll have to let you know what 
it means to me. This particular genre of music has greatly influenced me for a very long time, ever since I was young. I am often inclination to stand up and fight for it, whenever someone has a word or two to put it down. I am blessed not to come against such ‘blasphemy’ for a long time, but it is sad to say that the origin of this genre is slowly dying out. What stands for rock these days is pitifully painful, and as long as you are able to head-bang and shout out verses and lyrics out in an animalistic manner, you are a rocker. Rubbish. To actually appreciate the lyrics, listen to it with your heart, and take in certain anomalies that sound wrong in a song- and let it make up the part of the song that you love most; is what makes up this genre to me, at least.
it means to me. This particular genre of music has greatly influenced me for a very long time, ever since I was young. I am often inclination to stand up and fight for it, whenever someone has a word or two to put it down. I am blessed not to come against such ‘blasphemy’ for a long time, but it is sad to say that the origin of this genre is slowly dying out. What stands for rock these days is pitifully painful, and as long as you are able to head-bang and shout out verses and lyrics out in an animalistic manner, you are a rocker. Rubbish. To actually appreciate the lyrics, listen to it with your heart, and take in certain anomalies that sound wrong in a song- and let it make up the part of the song that you love most; is what makes up this genre to me, at least.I’ll have to let you know what bands that I speak of – Led Zeppelin, The Who, Pink Floyd, U2, Supertramp, Dire Straits, The Rolling Stones, Cream, The Doors and many other legends are all exemplary bands that have the classic attributes to what I speak of. They played and wrote music that stands the test of time, and that have a certain quality to it, that lets you know that it won’t fade away. I’ve also learned that in my advancing years, I can only write from my heart when I listen to such ba
nds play. I become more into myself when I listen to Pink Floyd and U2 songs, just as I am listening to Pink Floyd’s ‘Us and Them’ right now. I’d have to owe the appreciation that I have of this beautiful experience to my dad, uncle, and of course, to my brother. I remember when I was young, not too long ago, as I would listen to the music of Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven, from behind the closed doors of my brother’s room. I always had that awe, wonder and a certain feeling of heightened awareness of the music that he loved. They were legends, something untouchable and utterly beautiful, that seemed to have existed since the dawn of man. Sacred and holy.
Apart from that, I always thought that it took someone older and matured, in other words; wise, to value those songs. There was always a border and a limit within me, and I
felt I wasn’t good enough for the grandiose of this music. Slowly as I grew, that boundary dissolved and disappeared, even without me knowing it, and I grew to love these bands
immensely. It all started from Led Zeppelin and Stairway to Heaven, progressing to U2’s With or Without You, to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. The best part is, I’m still learning of new classic bands. Just when you think you know them all, there’s more. And since I wasn’t born in that era, it has become like a valuable learning experience for me. Something irrefutably worthwhile to the growth of my soul.
If I seem like I’m preaching, it is only because this is the only way to express my thoughts on this particular area that is under scrutiny by me, right now. One of the hardest things that I’ve encountered is the feeling of sheer frustration and discontent of not having many peers of my own age to share the wonder and exuberance of such music with. It’s depressing at times. But of course, there are a handful of people that I do know, that also appreciate it. Those that were actually born during that era, you have no idea how lucky you are. I do know that what I speak of may seem slightly trivial and petty, after all its only music. But if you think real hard, music is part of the epitome of life, alongside culture and belief. So I really think that this is just a fraction of what I should be doing in this area.
Bands in that era, the 60’s and 70’s to be precise, wrote the best music. Real music, at its finest. They don’t make music like that these days, its all protocol
and formatted nowadays, manufactured and ready to cater for the synonymous interests of today’s generation. Nothing extraordinary or simply different, everything sounds the same and has the same chords and vocals. They even tend to rip off song choruses, as heard in Gym Class Heroes ‘Cupid’s Chokehold’, with Supertramp’s Breakfast in America.
Maybe it was the ‘flower power’ generation, with its endless influences of drugs, alcohol, environmental issues and not to mention groupies. Mind you, this is an amateur writing. Not that there’s an ample lack of these influences in today’s day and age, but things then were more…authentic. Then again, imagine what the people of then must have thought about their era. To me, good music irrevocably consists of a memorable air about it, which immediately takes me to another place such like how Pink Floyd’s ‘Shine on You Crazy Diamond’ makes me feel, as if Waters’ is playing atop a mountain, during the solo. It is indescribable. Once in a while I do have to say that a good piece is made today, but incontestable to the genuine feel of yesterday’s creations. The camaraderie of the band mates, their origins, and the emotional journey that they traveled together, are among the aspects that prove and build the essence of good music.
nds play. I become more into myself when I listen to Pink Floyd and U2 songs, just as I am listening to Pink Floyd’s ‘Us and Them’ right now. I’d have to owe the appreciation that I have of this beautiful experience to my dad, uncle, and of course, to my brother. I remember when I was young, not too long ago, as I would listen to the music of Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven, from behind the closed doors of my brother’s room. I always had that awe, wonder and a certain feeling of heightened awareness of the music that he loved. They were legends, something untouchable and utterly beautiful, that seemed to have existed since the dawn of man. Sacred and holy.Apart from that, I always thought that it took someone older and matured, in other words; wise, to value those songs. There was always a border and a limit within me, and I
felt I wasn’t good enough for the grandiose of this music. Slowly as I grew, that boundary dissolved and disappeared, even without me knowing it, and I grew to love these bands
immensely. It all started from Led Zeppelin and Stairway to Heaven, progressing to U2’s With or Without You, to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. The best part is, I’m still learning of new classic bands. Just when you think you know them all, there’s more. And since I wasn’t born in that era, it has become like a valuable learning experience for me. Something irrefutably worthwhile to the growth of my soul.If I seem like I’m preaching, it is only because this is the only way to express my thoughts on this particular area that is under scrutiny by me, right now. One of the hardest things that I’ve encountered is the feeling of sheer frustration and discontent of not having many peers of my own age to share the wonder and exuberance of such music with. It’s depressing at times. But of course, there are a handful of people that I do know, that also appreciate it. Those that were actually born during that era, you have no idea how lucky you are. I do know that what I speak of may seem slightly trivial and petty, after all its only music. But if you think real hard, music is part of the epitome of life, alongside culture and belief. So I really think that this is just a fraction of what I should be doing in this area.
Bands in that era, the 60’s and 70’s to be precise, wrote the best music. Real music, at its finest. They don’t make music like that these days, its all protocol
and formatted nowadays, manufactured and ready to cater for the synonymous interests of today’s generation. Nothing extraordinary or simply different, everything sounds the same and has the same chords and vocals. They even tend to rip off song choruses, as heard in Gym Class Heroes ‘Cupid’s Chokehold’, with Supertramp’s Breakfast in America.Maybe it was the ‘flower power’ generation, with its endless influences of drugs, alcohol, environmental issues and not to mention groupies. Mind you, this is an amateur writing. Not that there’s an ample lack of these influences in today’s day and age, but things then were more…authentic. Then again, imagine what the people of then must have thought about their era. To me, good music irrevocably consists of a memorable air about it, which immediately takes me to another place such like how Pink Floyd’s ‘Shine on You Crazy Diamond’ makes me feel, as if Waters’ is playing atop a mountain, during the solo. It is indescribable. Once in a while I do have to say that a good piece is made today, but incontestable to the genuine feel of yesterday’s creations. The camaraderie of the band mates, their origins, and the emotional journey that they traveled together, are among the aspects that prove and build the essence of good music.
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