Why Does Music Do What It Does?

I was going to Starbucks this morning to get my daily coffee, venti bold with room. I didn't have to work today, so I just threw on whatever clothes were close at hand, which not surprisingly included a Radiohead t-shirt. 


So when I walked in the door at S-Bucks, this dude was sitting at a table by the door and said "hey, is that I Radiohead shirt?" "Yeah." I said, "doesn't it rule?!" I thought that was the end of the conversation, but oddly enough this guy had more to say. "I have a couple of their albums " he said, "what do you think of them." At this point my instinctive reaction was to say "OMG! They freaking rock!!!" and start to hyperventilate, but I played it cool and instead replied "I think they're pretty brilliant." 


What surprised me was that he then said "Why?" I thought "Because they're awesome! Duh!" I actually don't remember what I said, but I tried to wrap up this conversation so I could get some caffeine in my system.


So as I stood in line, I began to wonder what it is about music by Radiohead, or Sigur Ros, or The Beatles, or any number of artists that appeals to me. And furthermore, what is it about Kenny Chesney, or Lynard Skynard, or Lady Ga Ga that keeps them behind my ipod's velvet rope.


What is it about music that appeals to us in general, and as individuals specifically? I mean, everyone loves artists like the Beatles, right? Right? Damn straight. And just as universal is the disdain for say... Chris Gaines. Why is that? Is there an alternate universe where Chris Gaines is the greatest? Let's hope not.


I think part of what is appealing about music, is that it is consistent. What I mean by that is that you can hit the repeat button, and the song is the same as it was the last 100 times you heard it. You can rely on it. Music will be there for you unchanged. Stable. An unchanging dependable constant. Like Pi.


So when you listen to your favorite artist, they will be dependable. Or at least their music will be. And it becomes a part of your daily life, just like going to work or getting your Starbucks.


But what about the music? It's just sounds. What is it about the combination of sounds that appeals to the masses, or to the individual?


Maybe taste in music is learned. People often learn their religion or political views from their parents. Is this the same with music?


Maybe it's geographic. Do people in the South like country music more? Are Northerners more into hip-hop? 


Maybe it's socio-economic. Do people in unemployment lines listen to the same tunes as Warren Buffett? 


I'm sure it's a combination of all of the above. But what amazes me is the power that music has to stir emotions, and that, my friends,  is universal. Whether you're happy, or sad, want to get you groove on, or just want to chill and contemplate the universe there's a song out there for your needs.


So for me, music is part of my daily life, and judging by the sight of ipods everywhere you look, my guess is that it plays a part of everyone else's daily life too. The artists on this blog plus many others a pumped into my ears every day, and my life is better for it. I can't exactly tell you, or the dude at Starbucks this morning, why. It just is.


What artists do it for you? and why?