The Universal Language

I’ve often heard music be described as the “universal language” or the “language of the soul.”

This implies that music reaches people no matter what their origin or nationality or creed may be. You don’t always have to understand the lyrics of a song. Sometimes a song can have no lyrics and still touch you. Many people argue they can’t listen to a song without understanding the lyrics.

I’m of the camp that thinks this is a non-issue. As I listen to a song by one of my favorite foreign artists, I can feel the emotion of what he’s saying. I don’t speak his language but already I can tell it’s an outpouring of emotion. This is also assisted by the fact that it’s the first track of the album and the album picture has a transcription on it that reads: — why didn’t you tell anyone? — no one asked

This is a sentiment I’ve shared in the past.

Before I was struggling in the shadows and didn’t want to burden anyone with my problems. Why didn’t you tell anyone? Nobody asked. I don’t know the whole story but this implies the artist went through something that at the time he would have rather not talked about. Perhaps he’s finally coming clean about it on this track. I’ve looked up the lyrics and really, I don’t speak Japanese but I feel the mystique of not knowing makes it that much sweeter. Why is it some people need to understand every word of a song and focus so much on lyrics while others gravitate towards music in foreign languages or just like the feeling of a song? I guess it’s a mystery.

Cover image: Untitled album by KOHH