My friends and relatives from back in my younger, Nodak days can probably attest: If you were riding in a car with me for even the shortest period of time, chances are you were going to hear some loud tunes. Not always loud music (although more times than not it was something jammin’), but for sure at a loud volume level. And many, many of them can tell you about the goosebumps.
You see, I get so into the music… the music flows through me so much… that I get goosebumps. I always have. Spiritually, more often than not (back in my more dogmatic days as well as in my current state of “I don’t know anything for sure”), the times when I have felt the closest to whatever God may be, it has been because of music.
Let me clarify, every time I get goosebumps because of music, I’m not in some sort of meditative state. Most of the times I just hear a great song, especially if the music is enveloping me (like in a car or on the headphones), and the feeling flows over me, and I get goosebumps. Sometimes more. I never know exactly when the feeling will hit, but it is more likely to happen if it’s a song I know very well, or if it is an uplifting song about outstanding human traits, or a song that reminds me of a special person or time.
Anyway, on these occasions when someone else has happened to be with me (mainly in my younger, wilder days when I was with a more varied group of passengers), I usually showed them the effect by holding out my right forearm. Just to let them know what music does for me. On almost every instance, the person has been sort of blown away. Like “Wow, really?”. No big deal. I just figured I was sort of a minority at this level of musical passion. I had a few buddies that were into music, but not quite to my level. by that time I knew that most people enjoyed music in a different way than I did: Not as an integral part of their life, but as a soundtrack that was played by the radio, or MTV, or someone else. It didn’t make me feel like a weirdo or anything. I kind of enjoyed it.
But I’ve never really discussed the physical reaction with a whole lot of people. Not since the puppy days. Until about a month ago.
I was overwhelmed by a song on the way to work (Paul Pena’s mighty “Gonna Move”, which has gotten me before) and along came the goosebumps. A little later in the day, I asked the my fellow employees about it. It was shift change, so there just happened to be three of us hanging out (maybe four…Joe and Becky for sure, maybe Andy). ”Do you guys ever get goosebumps listening to music?” To my surprise, and later I realized not to my surprise, everyone immediately responded “Yes”. Not just “yes”, but “yes” in a “of course, I can’t even believe you are asking me” way.
It was another of those many times when I knew why I do it… why I own a record store in 2010.
I do it for people like us. People who are so into it that it literally and uncontrollably moves us… physically, emotionally, spiritually. People that break it down, collect it, analyze it, read about it. People that recognize that life would be terrible without it. People that embrace the song, the album, the instruments, and most of all… its amazing creators. I think I speak for Kristian if I say he feels the same way.
Will we gladly take care of people that are casually into it? Of course. If we can spread music in any way, it’s all good. But for me, the driving force is connecting with people that know that the full, goose-bump-inducing power of music cannot be experienced by downloading a single song, or by only listening to it with half-ass sound quality, or by only sitting in front of their computer.
If you are one of those types, come down and see me.
A dozen songs with the ability to “goosebump” this particular Record Store Geek:
Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson – “It’s Your World”- Stevie Wonder – “As” and “Another Star” (See “I’m Not a Conductor, But I Play One on the Treadmill“)
- Stevie Wonder – “That Girl”
- Triumph – “Fight the Good Fight” (The all-time ‘bump champion for me. Lyrically and musically… I simply cannot stop and feel the overwhelming power of Ric’s voice and not one, but two, of the greatest guitar solos ever).
- Incognito – “I Love What You Do For Me” (After I typed this song on the list, I dialed it up on the iTunes and it emotionally messed me up in the best possible way. I hadn’t heard it in so long, I was brought to posi-tears by Maysa’s unbeatable vocals and the lyrical significance of the song as it relates to my wife/best friend).
Michael Franti and Spearhead – “Crazy, Crazy, Crazy” (The first song they played at our ASU in-store… it reminds of my son while presenting a philosophy I wish all of mankind could embrace.)- Michael Franti and Spearhead – “Soulshine” (Both Michael and Stevie could have five songs on this list, as they reach deep into the soul.)
- The Cars – “All Mixed Up”
- Whiskeytown – “Turn Around” (One of those reminder songs… reminding me what it was like to be scrapped by someone)
Derek and the Dominoes – Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?- Boston – “Peace of Mind” (First album. First concert in 8th grade. First love. First real friends. Simple message that has rung true to me for 30 years.)
- Alison Krauss and Union Station – “The Lucky One” (Although the lyrics pertain to a happy-go-lucky man, the song reminds me of my youngest daughter – who is simply the most inspirational person in my life).
There’s many, many more – these are just the ones that popped up into my head.
Tags: Hoodlums Music, It's all about the music, Michael Franti, Record Store Geek, Record Store Geek recommends, Stevie Wonder, Top Ten lists of a Non-Critic