It’s quite true that the way we experience music is intrinsically connected to our mood and state of being at the time. In a moment of clarity, hip hop artist Frank Ocean summed it up pretty well:
“When you’re happy, you enjoy the music. When you’re sad, you understand the lyrics.”
— Frank Ocean
This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession
by Daniel J. Levitin
This is one of the most acclaimed and enjoyable books on the alchemy of what we do that has been written in recent years. Whether you’re a passionate hobbyist, a crazed fan or a thoughtful performer wanting to better understand your audience’s minds, it’s a great place to start.
