In reading a number of threads on Mudcat there appears to be a distinct split between those who want to know the origins of songs and tunes and those who don't.

For example, I am interested in finding out all about the traditional songs and tunes of my own culture yet many on this forum would seem to class me as 'anally retentive' and subscribe to the opinion that as long as it's good enough I'll play it, I don't care where it comes from.

Now, while I'm not saying for a moment that a song or tune's origin should be the only criteria for playing it if these things are ignored then the world would be an impoverished place. I shall tell you why I think knowing the origin of a tune or song matters.

1) If we all stick to the "top 100" songs and tunes I would presume that for most Mudcatters this would be Anglophone songs and 'celtic' tunes. This immediately cuts out a huge proportion of other music from around the world. Okay you may hear a tune you like and find out it's Swedish and from that delve further into Swedish or Scandinavian music. But if you're not interested in where the tune is from would you bother to look for other good stuff from the same source? Or are you happy to pick up a tune from someone else, mis-remember or even not bother about the name and play it in ignorance of gems you may have missed?

2) A major problem in this shrinking world of ours is the cultural colonisation of it by the USA. What with MacDonalds being on every street corner to Hollywood to Rock'n'Roll to baseball caps much non-US culture is disappering from the world. Now to citizens of the USA this probably doesn't signify too much but for the rest of us it means OUR roots being dug up and replaced by US roots. By knowing where the music comes from we can keep at least some of these cultural roots separated from what is rapidly becoming a bland, world wide culture.

3) Personally, I find that knowing as much about a song or a tune, its origins, the context it was written in, who wrote it, who recorded it etc etc add to the whole experience of the music. If I hear a tune I like I'd much rather hear some of its personal details rather than:
"It's called ********"
"What's that mean?"
"Dunno"
"What's it about?"
"Dunno"
Not a very interesting conversation is it?

It may be just me but it seems to me some one who is not interested in the origins of a song or tune is happy for another to come along and donate a song or tune to them; a person who is interested in the origins of a song or tune is more likely to go out and actively look for new material.

T