"Saw you on a Sunday afternoon
Riding the B train
Yes, I was coolin' on the train
You had an air about you I had to know and soon
First sight and I didn't
Even mind the rain!
Your glow was the ailment to all my pain inside
I sat beside your body and asked your name
Your fragrance made it hard to explain my plight
Of how you're driving me insane"
~ Jezebel ~ Boyz II Men ~
First, yes, Boyz II Men, I went there. But what better inspiration can I use to make a plea to promote music that is genuinely sensual in nature? I am not here to say that this particular music be held at an esteem higher than other types. I just simply enjoy it and it is my wish to hear it played everywhere I am. For that is what would be totally awesome for me.
And the question is often asked to any one who listens to music as often as I do, What kind of music do you like. I've always had a hard time answering this question because my immediate thought is good music. Plain and simple. Of course that is both true and useless at the same time because it is so reliant on such a highly contingent variable as taste. And lately I've re-fallen in love with Jason Mraz at the release of his most recent album, Love Is A Four Letter Word. But even with Jason's music, I had difficultly isolating the amazing factor, so to speak. But on the way home tonight, I choose not to chose and set my iPod on shuffle and this above song by Boyz II Men came on, and this lyric in particular stood out to me and then it hit me. I like sensual music, and by that, I mean that when I listen to it, every sense I have (the normal five plus intellect) is experiencing a sense of pleasure, or at the very least, positive neutrality.
The lyric is sung in a rhythm and melody that, to my taste, makes my body (touch) sway just so; the talk of scents and sights excite my eyes and nose; even my mouth is involved, if only to utter the ever stressful introductory question, "what's your name?". Their voices are soothing and their word choice invigorates my imagination and my intellect, too, is considered. All in all, a lovely song. Much like many of my favorite songs across genres, from this one, to more contemporary artists like Jason or even classical ones like Beethoven.
And so, admitted though it may not always be appropriate to say to someone I've just met, the best I answer I can give to the question, What kind of music do I like? is music that offers sensual pleasure - in just the way I've described above.
