I love mashups. I share them here because they are in some cases better than the original.
What elements of a mashup make me share them here? I thought it might be interesting so that you can understand my thought process when I select these songs. I am constantly changing and this will change in the future.
- Creative. They have to be different enough to be unique, but have enough of the original tone/feeling to resonate with me. If I start listening to it and I get excited about it, I think that others might find it enjoyable as well.
- Surprising. We have listened to old songs for a very long time. We know them note for note. Some mashups are delightful reimaging of a song. If I am surprised when listening to a mashup it is going to get shared.
- Artists that I like. Some mashups have artists that I like, and some include those I have never heard of. Listening to mashups is a struggle at times because my rigidity in thinking about certain artists makes it difficult for me to listen to them. I still listen however on the off chance that I like them. Rarely is that the case. However, just like #2, I like being surprised and I always hope for some creativity.
- Overpowering rhythm. For some songs, I don’t know the artist or heard the original song but the rhythm/lyrics are overpowering and worthy of attention. Many small creators on YouTube make some amazing mashups but have few views. I share them because they are worth being shared.
- Historical context. Some songs are a history lesson and listening to them was a critical part of older generations growing up. Some music I didn’t grow up with or remember but good music has no age. I include music that I didn’t know as a child but still find amazing.
- Opens your heart. Music can open your mind and heart to what is possible. For example, I am listening to a new mashup now and I can feel my heart opening. I don’t need to intellectually understand something to know that it is having a positive effect on me.
- Nostalgia. I don’t like nostalgia and I avoid it because it is a waste of time. We can’t recapture the past. However I know that not everyone feels that way, and practically speaking most mashups include old music. Songs I don’t want to listen to in their original version anymore, but when redone are fresh and inviting.
- Creative music videos. Many mashups have creative music videos. It’s fun to see what people reimagine when we listen to songs.
- Tribute to original artists. It is touching when artists had such a big effect on music that we are compelled not only to remember them but use what they did as a basis for our thinking/creativity. It’s why we are never out of debt to the people who originated the ideas. I feel incredibly grateful to be here at this moment to have the chance to experience culture.
- Mood. Listening to mashups always brings joy/pleasure to me. Humans can be creative and use our energies on things that make the world a better place. Great job!
These are my random thoughts. What do you think?