Shambles asks, and I paraphrase, "Why songs?" What is so special about songs?

I think music moves me emotionally. Psychology says we only have two basic physical states related to feeling, arousal and calm. Music, for me, can trigger both of those states. Psychology says we label emotions on these two physical states based on their perceived context. Lyrics provide the context.

I know many who are moved greatly by classical music and I think they must find a way to place a context on the physical state. Lyrics simplify that process.

So first of all, songs evoke feelings for me. Some songs I feel so greatly that I often cannot get through them, I get teary-eyed and choked up and the words just fade away. Sometimes I'll sing them for myself just because I know how they will make me feel. Other songs cheer me up. Van Morrison's album Moondance is a sure mood elevator for me.

Songs can often place us in times and places we have never been, but might wish we had been. Certainly one of the attractions of folk songs.

Songs are part of our community. They may remind us of our roots, of our common bonds (as workers, fellow citizens, or human beings, etc.), or our common goals or ideals. Singing together is a unifying experience. To those who have not experienced it, it is difficult for me to describe the harmony and oneness I feel when "it's just right" and a group of people, who may not know each other in any other way, cooperate in making beautiful song.

Songs are powerful. Woody's guitar was not likely to kill fascists, but his songs were a threat to the powers that be. A good song can lead me to sing thoughts I would not want to speak outside of song. I love the blues lyric "I feel like snappin' a pistol, baby, in your face, You know that graveyard will be your restin' place." In black and white, it scares me to death. Political songs have the power to change minds as well as unify those already committed to the cause.

I just love songs, some better than others. I can't imagine my life without songs.

Roger in Baltimore