Music That Grabs Your Insides and Twists

Is it just me (and I honestly don't think it is), or is there music out there that evokes such an amazing physical response when you hear it, that you want to scream, or cry, jump up and down, or just shake your head in concurrence? I often am moved this way when I hear music and it blows my mind that there are people who are just indifferent. How is this possible?


I went out with a guy a while back and when I asked what kind of music he liked, he responded with something to the effect of, "Eh, I'm not really that into music." That should have been my first clue to run the other direction. Sometimes there will be a song that reminds me of someone close to my heart. Take for instance, "Whiskey Girl," by Toby Keith (even though for Auri it should be called "Patron Girl"). I got really attached to that song right before Auri moved to California. Every time it came on I would cry. I know it's a song coming from a man's point of view, but it reminded me of Auri (cuz she doesn't like the fruity stuff) and it still does. It's just that now I don't cry when I hear it.
Then there are songs and albums that take you back to an entire period in your life. The first Trapt album is like that for me. It reminds me of a three month period in the Summer of '04 when I dated Kevin. I listened to that album over and over and over for months on end. I loved the music, and I think I also liked it because I considered it pretty hard at the time. Kevin loved death metal, so I thought maybe this would put me in his good graces. That obvioulsy didn't get me anywhere. Now every time I hear it, I think back to the last time I drove away from his house after he told me our relationship, "... wasn't romantic enough." Ugh! I still love the music, though. My current obsession is none other than the Twilight Soundtrack. Don't laugh, or I'll beat you. Every time I hear each of the songs on the album, I'm immediately taken to that particular scene in the movie. I'm crazy, I know, but stick with me. Maybe if I had my own knight in shining armor I wouldn't have to get all wrapped up in books and a movie (which I've now officially seen 6 times) because I'd have my own hottness to obsess over. ANYWAY... There are a few particular songs on the album that I play over and over again. I think if I had never heard them before and had nothing to associate them with, I'd still feel the same way about them. Have you ever come across a song that when you listen to it, it feels like it has wrapped itself around your insides and is pulling on every emotion you've ever been capable of feeling? There are a few songs on this album like that for me. I can't get enough of them.... and they're too damn short. 2 minutes? Seriously? I need more!


There are also individual songs that evoke such reactions from me. If one of these songs comes on the radio, I'm immediately taken back to a specific time and place.


The Hustle - Takes me back to mimicking the snow report on X96 (local radio station) during the morning commute in high school. They played the song in the background while they did the ski/snow report. Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix - Sitting on the edge of Auri's bed (I was probably 17 at the time)and telling her that if I ever smoked pot, I wanted to do it while that song was on... (by the way, I still haven't).


Volcano Girls by Veruca Salt - Driving through the back parking lot of our high school on our way to lunch. It came on in the car the other day and we both burst into tune when it started! The kids were laughing at us. I guess that officially means we're old!Maybe I should learn to play something like the piano or the guitar.... I've thought about it before, but have never really considered it. Probably because I get so wrapped up in it, I don't want to have to concentrate on creating it. I just want to listen and feel. And I'd have to cut off my nails. Plus, I can't sing, so that wouldn't be any fun. And the one time Di tried to teach me to play something very basic on the piano, she left me fuming because it just didn't click. That should be enough of a hint. I'm content to be the observer, not the creator.