Isn't it a performer's duty and right to elicit an emotional reaction from his/her listeners, and isn't that what the applause is for? If you don't touch the audience's emotions, what point is there in performing a song?

An illustration - Allan Taylor's song (now almost an anthem) 'Roll On The Day', which deals with the death from pneumoconiosis of a retired Yorkshire miner, and is eloquently explicit in its description of the subject's wish for death to relieve him of the misery and suffering of his disease. It's a subject which is very frightening and close to the hearts of mining communities, yet Allan tells how the most stirring singing of the chorus comes from the people in the clubs in coal-mining areas.

The songs I relate to, and which I personally have 'borrowed' and commit 'songicide' on regularly (LOL), are those which have touched an emotion - sorrow, joy, wistfulness for the past, whatever. And the ones that grabbed me hardest are the ones that made me uncomfortable.

Anyone else feel the same?

Johnny:0)

Johnny :0)

A good song's still a good song, and its message, no matter how difficult, can be accepted by an audience.