When we like something, a piece of art, what is it that we really like? A confusing statement you say? If you're not confused, skip the next paragraph.
Let's say, you like a great rock song. You love listening to it when you work. And when driving down the US 101 South highway, you love rocking to it. When you hop on the shower, you sing it. And sometimes, blare it so loud that your neighbors know it as well. But they have different opinions about it, contrary to yours. But when I ask, "what is it that you really like", I ask if it is the musical composition that you like, or the voice, or the lyrics. Or, is it the way that the song makes you feel, that you like? Let's say, if the vocalist has views that are completely opposite to what you believe in. Does that make you feel less of the song? Does that change the way you feel about this music? If so, would you say, it's more about the piece of music or about a piece of you that the song touched?
I really have no conclusion in this regard. I am perhaps as lost as you.
Is liking something more about yourself? Is it always about how it makes you feel? Is all art then simply an exercise in self-exploration? Art then has no real intrinsic value than what you give it and what you project onto it.
Or is liking something more about a piece of something? The art itself then has a real intrinsic value. What you like about that piece of art then could be an accurate portrayal of that intrinsic value in the piece of art or something different. However, what it means to you has no effect on the piece of art as it stands on itself.
Or is liking something about a mix of what you project about the art and the intrinsic value of the art piece as well? The dynamics there would be an interplay between your own emotional makeup and the value of the art piece.
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Enjoy this art piece while you are at it:
(Disclaimer: I do love this art piece but I am not familiar with any contrary views from the vocalist or the band members of this song at all. The above example was just for the purposes of this post. I did have some issue with another band that came up, when the person who had the problem was not me, but someone else. Maybe an issue for some another post.)
"What it's like" by Everlast
We've all seen the man at the liquor store beggin' for your change
The hair on his face is dirty, dreadlocked and full of mange
He ask the man for what he could spare with shame in his eyes
Get a job you fuckin' slob's all he replied
God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in his shoes
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to sing the blues
Then you really might know what it's like
Mary got pregnant from a kid named Tom who said he was in love
He said don't worry about a thing baby doll I'm the man you've been dreamin' of
But three months later he said he won't date her or return her call
And she sweared god damn if I find that man I'm cuttin' off his balls
And then she heads for the clinic and she gets some static walkin' through the doors
They call her a killer, and they call her a sinner, and they call her a whore
God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in her shoes
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to choose
Then you really might know what it's like
I've seen a rich man beg
I've seen a good man sin
I've seen a tough man cry
I've seen a loser win
And a sad man grin
I heard an honest man lie
I've seen the good side of bad
And the down side of up
And everything between
I licked the silver spoon
Drank from the golden cup
Smoked the finest green
I stroked the fattest dimes at least a couple of times
Before I broke their heart
You know where it ends
Yo, it usually depends on where you start
I knew this kid named Max
He used to get fat stacks out on the corner with drugs
He liked to hang out late at night
Liked to get shit faced
And keep pace with thugs
Until late one night there was a big gun fight
Max lost his head
He pulled out his chrome .45
Talked some shit
And wound up dead
Now his wife and his kids are caught in the midst of all of his pain
You know it crumbles that way
At least that's what they say when you play the game
God forbid you ever had to wake up to hear the news
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to lose
Then you really might know what it's like
To have to lose...
