Filed under: Comment
No … it’s not that they’re both past their heyday.
Nor is it that they’re both living on past glories.
It’s not even that they were much better with their old team mates around them.
It’s this. And for some reason, I find it utterly beautiful, albeit in a wonderfully ramshackle way.
There’s something about a crowd singing that gets me every time.
It is – for me – the musical equivalent of how I feel when I watch a movie or documentary about triumph over adversity.
Over the years, I’ve been in many situations where I’ve been there when it happens.
A football match.
A concert.
Where – intentional or not – the crowd take over and lift the arena with song.
And I always stop when it starts and look around the venue with open eyes and open ears.
For me it’s almost spiritual.
I know that sounds utterly wanky, but it’s true … and I am sure that’s part of the reason some people find going to Church such a special experience. Hell, I’m an atheist and I find hearing a choir in full song in a cathedral utterly hypnotising.
But the thing is, whether you experience it or partake in it … the end result is always positive.
That feeling might only last a few seconds, but the energy of that shared moment affects everyone and transcends everything.
Worries … pressure … pain … they all momentarily disappear and everything feels alright.
It’s audio prozac and creates a moment you remember forever.
Which is much better than most ads will ever achieve.
Even after being researched to within an inch of their life.
Probably because emotions make people feel much better than rational arguments.
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Is this post part of the “better together” campaign?
Comment by George September 12, 2014 @ 6:13 amyoure a regular noel fucking coward arent you auntie.
Comment by andy@cynic September 12, 2014 @ 6:20 amIs this a limey joke? Explains why it’s not funny.
Comment by Billy Whizz September 12, 2014 @ 6:45 amyes. and the punchline is british fucking politics.
Comment by andy@cynic September 12, 2014 @ 7:02 amVery droll.
Comment by Rob September 12, 2014 @ 8:22 amI like the final paragraph. It’s a nice way to think about it.
Comment by George September 12, 2014 @ 6:15 amwhat the fuck has nottingham fucking forest got to do with a desolate scottish shithole except no fucker would want to live in either?
Comment by andy@cynic September 12, 2014 @ 6:19 amYes … I appreciate there is no real connection, but they are both located by water and mist does roll in at wintertime so at least there’s that.
Comment by Rob September 12, 2014 @ 8:22 amrationalised like the fucking planner you are.
Comment by andy@cynic September 12, 2014 @ 8:24 am2 forest posts in a week. what the fuck have we done to deserve your hatred. prick.
Comment by andy@cynic September 12, 2014 @ 6:21 amThe worst end to a bad day. Thanks Rob.
Comment by DH September 12, 2014 @ 6:29 amHope you’re doing OK.
Comment by Pete September 12, 2014 @ 6:52 am+1
Comment by Rob September 12, 2014 @ 8:23 amWhat about negative emotions?
Comment by John September 12, 2014 @ 6:31 amThat’s what happens after he’s seen the forest soccer team lose.
Comment by Billy Whizz September 12, 2014 @ 6:46 amWe are wired to be emotionally influenced by music so it can lift and subdue our emotions. But I believe environment also plays a part in our response to music and at a concert, where you are surrounded by thousands of like minded people, I believe you would end up finding the music an uplifting experience.
Comment by Pete September 12, 2014 @ 6:52 amreading this fucking blog will do that to you dodgy doddsy.
Comment by andy@cynic September 12, 2014 @ 7:01 amYes … our emotions are slaves to sound, but where concerts are concerned – at least for me – the effect of the crowd singing is always incredible powerful and positive, even if it can also be very moving at times.
Comment by Rob September 12, 2014 @ 8:24 amyoure right campbell, it does sound utterly wank. especially when i know youre talking about a bunch of retarded queen fans.
Comment by andy@cynic September 12, 2014 @ 7:00 amThanks.
Comment by Rob September 12, 2014 @ 8:25 amI share Andrew’s confusion regarding the linkage between Nottingham Forest and the Mull of Kintyre but I agree about the emotion of a crowd being unified in song. It is a glorious thing to witness and experience.
Comment by Lee Hill September 12, 2014 @ 7:59 amNothing could lift an arena subjected to a Queen concert
Comment by Northern September 12, 2014 @ 5:09 pmJust think how much sponsorship money they could make if they allowed Prozac to sponsor them.
Comment by Rob September 12, 2014 @ 8:04 pmMore like this lot
Comment by Northern September 12, 2014 @ 9:49 pmhttp://www.snorestore.co.uk/acatalog/earplugs-for-sleeping.html