Do you listen to songs in languages you do not understand?

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  1. thirdmillenium profile image60
    thirdmilleniumposted 14 years ago

    Some times the music would be so riveting that you keep listening.Do you that?

    1. profile image0
      Lady_Eposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, the last one was Cuban.  Don't have a clue what they're on about in the song but I love the rhythm.  I'm the same with Indian songs too. smile

      Sounds crazy, but after a while I sing along with them, not knowing what I'm saying - guess the brain memorises it. lol

    2. weblog profile image58
      weblogposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I do that, it's the music that attracts first and it will be great if we can understand the lyrics later on.

    3. profile image0
      cosetteposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      oh HELLS yeah. especially in Spanish. one of my favorites is the band The Gipsy Kings

    4. bukan profile image60
      bukanposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      It depend on the suthing voice for that particular Music rhythm whether i can understand it or not, I will that thing...

    5. profile image0
      Brenda Durhamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      No.

    6. Dr Suleiman Dex profile image60
      Dr Suleiman Dexposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I write a Column about Global "Indie" Music. Some of the best performed and most compelling Music and/or Bands may not always or ever sing in English, though more do than US Bands singing in a foreign Language. Some of the best vocals I've heard recently, are by a Band known as "TYR". They are in Finnish, are as impeccable as they are not understandable. However, in their video context-you will most likely get the "jist".

      1. mega1 profile image79
        mega1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

        Thanks for TYR - listening to them now and am falling deeply in love.  Its probably a good thing I have no idea what they are saying altho I get an idea of what they are singing ABOUT - booking a flight to Finland tomorrow.

    7. NunezWillLearn profile image59
      NunezWillLearnposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, I do. You can say I love it. Actually I love to hear songs that has a good music. words in the song hardly has any importance. I visualize the beats

  2. THE LIP profile image60
    THE LIPposted 14 years ago

    Yes I keep doing that most of the times and it is actually quite entertaining.Time and again I learn a song has been copied(inspired)from another language and that arouses my curiousity to see hat the original was like.At other times I listen to a song simply because of the beats it has or the way it has been picturised even though I don't understand the lingo.

    As a matter of fact I've seen several regional language films n enjoyed them thoroughly even without sub-titles even though the language is alien to me. I strongly feel that good music or a good film transcends languages and reaches the core of the heart with thier genuine sincerity.

  3. frogdropping profile image75
    frogdroppingposted 14 years ago

    Yes, I do. It's often the music that attracts me, over the lyric of a song. I'm a music lover - the words are secondary smile

  4. kirstenblog profile image77
    kirstenblogposted 14 years ago

    I do that quite often actually, there is an appeal to other languages I think. French is obviously a beautiful language and I have actually enjoyed rapping in french and rap music is not really my thing. I have a bunch of dessert music and the singing is in one of the middle eastern languages, Farsi I think. The different language adds a level of mystery to the music and you can imagine it means what ever it inspires.

    1. mega1 profile image79
      mega1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Is "dessert" music like - pecan pie polka? and chocolate dream dance? and cherries jubilee jump?  I love the concept of dessert music.  Have been waiting all my life for it

  5. Choke Frantic profile image59
    Choke Franticposted 14 years ago

    I really like listening to foreign music. For me its mostly in German and Japanese, which I partly understand. I like listening to it because the music expresses the general theme of the song, and I love the mystery of trying to figure out what its about. Its also fun to think you hear English words in there ^_^

  6. eiphrille profile image61
    eiphrilleposted 14 years ago

    yes... there are so many talented artist all around the globe..
    and language is not a barrier for me to appreciate good music...

  7. camlo profile image82
    camloposted 14 years ago

    I like to understand the lyrics -- but there is one song in French (that I don't understand) that I'd never want to hear in any other way, and that's Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg - Je T'aime ...

  8. Shinkicker profile image58
    Shinkickerposted 14 years ago

    Yaeh, I'll listen to music that's in a foreign language. I think it's a shame that the western media don't play more foreign language music. There such great tunes out there.

    1. rebekahELLE profile image86
      rebekahELLEposted 14 years agoin reply to this



      I so agree with you. that's a huge plus with youtube, itunes, online radio where we listen to other languages and cultural music. I love it even if I can't understand it.

      look at opera. they have subtitles now which kind of takes away from the beauty of the performance.

  9. profile image0
    Denno66posted 14 years ago

    I love listening to music in Slavian. The tongue is so musical anyway.

  10. gracenotes profile image91
    gracenotesposted 14 years ago

    Yes, I do.  I have even sung in other languages.  Poorly, but I did.

  11. rmcrayne profile image94
    rmcrayneposted 14 years ago

    I love the Gipsy Kings.  My understanding is that they are from the South of France but sing in Spanish language.  A good friend of mine, who is from Mexico, says she has difficulty understanding them.  Whatever language they are singing in, especially in the case of their many love songs, I think it’s delicious. 

    As Choke referred to re:  English words, the Gipsy Kings sing My Way (popularized by Sinatra), and that part comes out in English. 

    I also have a few Turkish and Arabic songs I really liked while living in Turkey.  A friend used to have several albums by a young German boy.  The boy’s voice was so rich and those songs were beautiful.

  12. europewalker profile image79
    europewalkerposted 14 years ago

    I like to listen to French music. I really would like to learn the language.

  13. Cheeky Chick profile image59
    Cheeky Chickposted 14 years ago

    I have some Latin music on my ipod.  The Spanish language seems so passionate, but of course, I have no clue what the words are saying.  I love to dance to Latin music as well...salsa, cha cha, casino rueda...LOVE TO SHAKE MY BOOTY!

    XOXO

    Cheeky

  14. Ultimate Hubber profile image72
    Ultimate Hubberposted 14 years ago

    Not much, but sometimes to some Arab and Spanish songs.

  15. prettydarkhorse profile image65
    prettydarkhorseposted 14 years ago

    sometimes, I understand spanish language a bit, so it is ok, if the rhythm and beat are okay I would love to listen to it, specially if the melody is really nice..

  16. profile image48
    SamiTheFinnishBoyposted 14 years ago

    I´m listening arabian and japanese music. I know japanese a little.

  17. profile image0
    Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

    I LOVE to listen to CDs in Celtic. Beautiful music!

  18. drej2522 profile image68
    drej2522posted 14 years ago

    Crazdwriter!!!!!! Heya

    I listen to opera..is that weird? yessss...I don't understand a word!

    1. Dame Scribe profile image57
      Dame Scribeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      lol same here, love sopranos

  19. profile image0
    Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

    Hey drej! Finally got home from a fun yet tiring weekend smile

  20. drej2522 profile image68
    drej2522posted 14 years ago

    Cool cool..what did you do?

  21. profile image0
    Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

    I'll tell you in the Last one thread

  22. Scott Ko profile image61
    Scott Koposted 14 years ago

    I love listening to Brazilian Bosa Nova Jazz

  23. thranax profile image71
    thranaxposted 14 years ago

    Swedish.
    Basshunter:

    Dota
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OzWIFX8M-Y

    Botten Anna
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYQUsp-jxDQ

    I Bet you get addicted to them.

    ~thranax~

  24. carina75 profile image59
    carina75posted 14 years ago

    you listen music with your soul not with your mind, so you don't need words for it.yes, defintely listen music whose words i don't understand.

  25. profile image0
    Mamie B.posted 14 years ago

    I listen to Andrea Bocelli and Celtic songs.

    I love pop, rock, easy listening, hard rock, techno, opera, country, heavy metal, soul, R & B, instrumental, classical..... I don't like every song.

  26. myra636 profile image60
    myra636posted 14 years ago

    I grow up on music from around the world my mom owned a bar on the water front and we had songs form all most every where on the jukebox and now my husband is from Morocco and he plays music from from all over allso.

  27. profile image0
    Mamie B.posted 14 years ago

    Song: Je t'aime.

    Camlo, where did you hear that old song? It came out around the very late 60s or early 70s. I was just a kid but old enough to find it very romantic and sensual. I really want to hear it now!!!

  28. profile image0
    Mamie B.posted 14 years ago

    Song: Je t'aime.

    Camlo, where did you hear that old song? It came out around the very late 60s or early 70s. I was just a kid but old enough to find it very romantic and sensual. I really want to hear it now!!!

    1. camlo profile image82
      camloposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Hi! yes, I was also a kid at that time ... Perhaps a bit too young to understand the connotations, but I was around.
      Later I appreciated it for its sensuality. I've heard that the lyrics are actually quite innocent -- which is why it sounds so good (to our ears) in French.

    2. camlo profile image82
      camloposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Just looked at your profile -- I'm 5 years younger (between you and I)

    3. Rayalternately profile image59
      Rayalternatelyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Here you have it, then... still as lovely, even now. smile
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHiMDB19Dyc

      1. camlo profile image82
        camloposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        It creates a wonderful atmosphere, doesn't it? I think I'll download it from Amazon :-)

  29. profile image0
    B.C. BOUTIQUEposted 14 years ago

    no, not usually..but I do liste to the German group Rammstein

    1. camlo profile image82
      camloposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I live in Germany, and my ex-boss here was a fan of Rammstein -- another reason why I find them utterly appalling :-)

  30. myra636 profile image60
    myra636posted 14 years ago

    night night all enjoy the music

  31. profile image57
    aeorabeamposted 14 years ago

    I love to sing along to music in other languages, it reminds me of when I was younger and made up lyrics.

  32. Rayalternately profile image59
    Rayalternatelyposted 14 years ago

    For me, song lyrics can often disappoint and spoil an otherwise great tune. When they're sung in an unknown language they can't ruin it, and with some languages that just sound great anyway (Spanish, Italian, or French for example)you can imagine your own story. Never look up the translated lyrics though, too risky! big_smile

  33. Sunny River profile image60
    Sunny Riverposted 14 years ago

    You bet. Foreign music is one of my favorite types of music. I love the music itself and the lyrics really aren't that important sometimes.

  34. Valerie F profile image60
    Valerie Fposted 14 years ago

    I very often listen to and even sing music in languages in which I am not fluent. If I sing them, of course I have to understand at the very least the gist, and in memorization, I spend a lot of time on the words, so I end up more or less understanding them in the context of the song anyway.

    I generally prefer to understand or make an effort to get the gist of the lyrics even when casually listening out of the habits I established as a music student.

    However, there are cases when I've had song lyrics translated and decided I enjoyed the music more before I knew what the lyrics meant. Rammstein comes to mind.

    1. camlo profile image82
      camloposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      You're right there -- about Rammstein I mean ...

      1. camlo profile image82
        camloposted 14 years agoin reply to this

        Worked at the Rammstein Concert here in Cologne last Sunday and Monday -- the show is absolutely brilliant. Would recommend it to anyone, even if you don't like the music

  35. richie222 profile image60
    richie222posted 14 years ago

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't music, per say, international and only the lyrics geared to a particular language? Do-ray-me is written the same way in every language, be it English, Russian, German, etc.

    1. Danny Decay profile image67
      Danny Decayposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      TRUE!

    2. Valerie F profile image60
      Valerie Fposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Actually, it's not true. Not all nationalities use the diatonic "do-re-mi" scales, and musical notation has not been the same throughout history, nor is it exactly the same across cultures and nationalities. Some music, like from India, is nearly impossible to transcribe accurately with western musical notation.

  36. akirchner profile image93
    akirchnerposted 14 years ago

    All the time - because I love not having to know the 'exact' words and I can just sing along and enjoy the music....I love music but sometimes having to think so hard or listen so intently to the exact words is difficult!  My favs are Latino and Italian - but love others too - to me it is about the beat, the 'feel' of the piece and what listening to it makes me happy or sad or whatever.  It is like listening to instrumental music without knowing the words - or picking up words here and there and going to search them out and find out what they mean.

  37. Mocha Momma profile image61
    Mocha Mommaposted 14 years ago

    Yes I do, its typically tribal and meditative style music...

  38. Rhianni32 profile image70
    Rhianni32posted 14 years ago

    Yes I do. I have a hard time hearing lyrics anyway and focus more on the melody of the singers voice and how it blends with the music and less so on the meaning of the words.

  39. Danny Decay profile image67
    Danny Decayposted 14 years ago

    Sure do! Norwegian Black Metal bands like "Burzum" and "Darkthrone" sing in their native languages.

  40. torimari profile image69
    torimariposted 14 years ago

    I think 70% of the songs I listen to are in different languages...French, Russian, Japanese, German, Italian (I understand). So much good music around the world why not? I learn the lyrics to the song and their meaning eventually so it means more.

  41. Colebabie profile image61
    Colebabieposted 14 years ago

    All the time. For the most part I have no idea what Fonseca, Shakira, Beto Cuevas, Manu Chao, or Juanes is saying, or what I'm saying when I sing along. But I love it anyways.

  42. EOCedeno profile image59
    EOCedenoposted 14 years ago

    Yes, I listen to Spanish and Latin sounds as well as Arabic music. One other language is Thai. They have good music. There is always something from the "soul" of the sounds that will reach to your "soul".

  43. profile image0
    bloodnlatexposted 14 years ago

    I listen to death metal from time to time.  The songs are in english, but you'd be hard pressed to make out what they are screaming about though.

  44. spiritactor profile image60
    spiritactorposted 14 years ago

    Often!  Simply because I find listening to English-language songs only limits musical perspective.  I LOVE the fact that you can hear a myriad of styles and rhythms from all over the world. Makes life more spicy!

  45. wsp2469 profile image60
    wsp2469posted 14 years ago

    To answer your question as asked: yes, sometimes

  46. arindam1234 profile image60
    arindam1234posted 14 years ago

    what a nice act. cha cha, salsa, hip hop all are mad music. Latin tune is rally different.

  47. tobey100 profile image59
    tobey100posted 14 years ago

    Sure do. Truly good music will carry you places whether you understand the language or not.  Josh Grobin is a good example.  He's not really my cup of tea but for some reason I have no trouble listening to him in Italian which I can't speak a word of.

  48. mgnzlz profile image60
    mgnzlzposted 14 years ago

    I listen to spanish songs sometimes, I hardly understand any of it! It just sounds so beautiful.

  49. SoftCornHippo profile image60
    SoftCornHippoposted 14 years ago

    Yes indeedy I do - and I sing along with em too!

  50. Stimp profile image60
    Stimpposted 14 years ago

    Shakira is my favorite artist when she sings Latin NOT english.  I love ALL of her work.  I try to sing along but i'm sure I'm really swearing in Spanish or something odd like that when I try lol

 
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