Rock and roll in its purest form is an expression of rebellion. Whether it is rebelling against society, government, religion, social constraints or one’s self, rock music has always been a forum for the disenchanted and the disenfranchised. People who in some way or another were pushed aside by some part of society have written the best music, not just rock and roll. Happy, satisfied people never make good music that lasts, because good music is born from struggle. Without the tough steel town of Birmingham, England, the world may never have known Black Sabbath. If Kurt wasn’t raised in a broken home we may never have heard grunge. The human experience as told through music can be one of our best insights into the souls of musicians, and us.
To hear a song that really hits a nerve with you, that blows your hair back and sends chills down your spine that can be one of the greatest feelings in the world. Sometimes a complete stranger can express the way you feel better than you can yourself. Although rare, every once in a while a song, album, or artist comes along that defines, or re-defines your take on the world.
In my mind there is almost nothing better, I could not put a price on something so great. Listen to The Wall all the way through from beginning to end. That album reflects more struggle, pain and emotion than almost any other album ever written. If you don’t believe me listen to the song Vera, side two track four. This song is a minute and a half long, in the grand scheme of things it means nothing, but close your eyes and listen to this track. In my mind it is one of the greatest songs of love and loss ever written. The lyrics tell the basic story, but this song goes way beyond just the lyrics, or even the music. The most compelling aspect of Vera is the raw emotion in the vocals. For me this is especially apparent in the last verse, beginning with Roger Walters singing the name Vera. The sadness in his voice is so apparent it’s almost shocking.
It’s songs like these that really define for me what it means to love music. When a song expresses the way you feel better than you ever could, you know you have found something truly great.
Austin Drake is a sophomore at WCU .