The recent discussion of music as a reference point for emotional feeling, both creating a feeling through the act of listening as well as reflecting an emotional state already present in the observer which they then relate to the song. This exchange is an interesting one, creating a precarious relationship between the songwriter and the listener. Music creates an atmosphere where it is okay to be emotional and expressive, so by listening to an artist I feel connected to them as I am taken through their thoughts and emotions.

Personally, while I do place a significant emphasis on the actual music played, I generally look to the lyrics as an essential part of the experience. I want to hear the story that is being told to me and assign it a meaning.

One of my favorite artists is Sufjan Stevens. He is currently working on constructing an album for each of the 50 states, exploring stories and the character of the state through a collection of songs. As such, there is a great emphasis placed on the lyrical explorations into the human condition. On his album, 'Greetings from Michigan: The Great Lakes State' he closes with a song titled 'Vito's Ordination Song'. The lyrics are as follows:

I always knew you in your mothers arms,
I have called your name,
I have an idea placed in your mind to be a better man,
I've made a crown for you, put it in your room,
and when the bride groom comes there will be noise, there will be glad, and a perfect bed,
and when you write a poem, I know the words, I know the sounds, before you write it down,
When you wear your clothes, I wear them too, I wear your shoes, and your jacket too,
I always knew you in your mothers arms,
I have called you son,
I've made amends between father and son,
or if you havent one rest in my arms, sleep in my bed, there is a design to what I did and said

The imagery is loaded with both relational experience at a family level and as a religious experience. Notions such as the crown, making amends between father and son, and the wedding as well as several others appear often in a Christian context as God's means of approaching humanity. For me the crux of the song is in the chorus "Rest in my arms, sleep in my bed, there is a design". I have written several posts about attempting to define a religious identity and the comfort that you don't have to identify with anything, that it is as simple as falling asleep, is comforting to me.

Sufjan says on his website concerning the song, "Don't worry. Put away your mirrors and your beauty magazines and your books on tape. There is someone right here who knows you more than you do, who is making room on the couch, who is fixing a meal, who is putting on your favorite record, who is listening intently to what you have to say, who is standing there with you, face to face, hand to hand, eye to eye, mouth to mouth. There is no space left uncovered."

I find this very soothing, perhaps identification is not what's important.