Art of My Heart: Music

June 29, 2012

"I despise a world which does not feel that music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy"

-Ludwig van Beethoven

Anyone who knows me even remotely knows that I am borderline obsessed with popular culture. Not the gossip rag nonsense regarding various celebrities’ sexual orientation, relationships or drug and alcohol-fueled escapades.

Rather, I’m endlessly fascinated with the ebbs and flows of the entertainment world, which musical artists are shaping the mass consciousness, what films are making an impact, etc. However, while I possess an appreciation of the arts on a grand scale, only a select few works manage to capture my heart in that special way that essentially makes them an indelible part of my entertainment DNA.

I will likely do a future blog post delving into my favorite films (as this is my personal favorite artistic medium). This time, though, I’m outlining the five male vocalists which I feel most represent my musical taste and with which I most identify.

5) Musiq Soulchild (1977-present)

How You May Know Him:

Unless you’re a big fan of R&B, you may not have. Aside from a few moderate hits, Musiq Soulchild has largely stayed off the pop charts. Rather, his career has been marked by a steady, more low-key following within the R&B community, where he has amassed six hit albums in the past 12 years. Sales-wise, he may not be in the same ballpark as someone like Usher, but his under-the-radar nature enables him to avoid having to commercialize his music unnecessarily.

How I Became a Fan:

Around 2000, I caught the video for his single “Just Friends (Sunny),” which was featured on the soundtrack to Nutty Professor II: The Klumps. The film was a massive disappointment, but the song always stuck with me. Its subject matter is simple (a guy asks a girl out just because he wants to get to know her better), but the laid-back vocal delivery and romantically implicit lyrics hooked me right from the start. It probably helped that – at this point, at least – I was far too shy to actually ask a girl out. The song was a fun way of fantasizing about it in the meantime.

Why His Music Resonates With Me:

The let’s-be-friends-but-possibly-more message of “Just Friends” carried on through several of Musiq’s other tunes, most notably “B.U.D.D.Y.” and “Halfcrazy.” In addition, he has made some of the most romantic soul songs of the last decade in “Yes,” “Whoknows” and “Dontchange.” His music is melodically driven, lyrically sincere and distinct in that it pays tribute to R&B of old and still maintains its status as so-called “neo-soul.” For someone like me who spent the better part of his life pining for the kind of love Musiq sings about, it’s easy to see why I was drawn to it.

Signature Work:

“Halfcrazy” and “Dontchange” – both off his sophomore release Juslisen – are his highest-charting singles to date.

Personal Favorite:

For my money, “Someone” is probably the most underrated love ballad of his career, and that’s saying a lot.

4) Jamie Cullum (1979-present)

How You May Know Him:

If you have a penchant for modern jazz, you may be familiar with Jamie Cullum. If not, then you definitely should be. After breaking through in 2004 with his second album Twentysomething, Cullum has slowly but steadily developed a worldwide fan base with each subsequent release. He has even worked with Hollywood heavyweight Clint Eastwood on the title songs for the films Grace Is Gone and Gran Torino and has contributed music to the soundtracks for Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and Disney’s Meet the Robinsons.

How I Became a Fan:

Much like many of you, I had no clue who Jamie Cullum was… until 2006, that is. A good friend of mine – who is far more into discovering new artists that even I am – had heard that Cullum was coming to town for a concert. He played me a song, and while I wasn’t immediately stricken with Cullum fever just yet, the tune he played for me (a cover of Pharrell Williams’ “Frontin’”) was intriguing enough that I expressed interest in going to the show. However, I wasn’t prepared for the sheer virtuosity of Cullum’s energetic, charismatic performance. Literally climbing on seats at one point, the man plays piano, drums and guitar, and his passion for music is incredibly infectious. Needless to say, I was hooked.

Why His Music Resonates With Me:

Some artists are torn between paying tribute to the past (see #3 on this list) and blazing their own trail, but Cullum somehow does both. Each of his albums features a number of covers of artists as diverse as Cole Porter, Radiohead, Natalie Cole, Rihanna and Jimi Hendrix. However, Cullum totally makes these songs his own, transforming even the most antiquated tune into something fresh and ready-made for the current generation. In addition, his original songs – which comprise about half of each album – are even more connected to the modern world, often dealing with the search for love and the emergence of nostalgia. Check out “Get Your Way” and “Photograph,” respectively, for two fine examples.

Signature Work:

Since Cullum is relatively unknown in the U.S., it’s hard to say what American listeners would recognize, but “All at Sea” and “These are the Days” – both from his sophomore release – are among his most-performed songs.

Personal Favorite:

“Twentysomething” – in more ways than one – is the theme song to my mid-20s, embodying the confusion, frustration and even the joys that come with self-discovery. “It’s About Time” is also up there, as far as relatability.

3) Michael Bublé (1975-present)

How You May Know Him:

Launching onto the scene in 2003 with a dynamite update of the classic tune “Sway,” Canadian crooner Michael Bublé might not be the most mainstream pop artist on this list. After all, his entire catalog is comprised almost exclusively of covers of standard songs from as early as the 1940s, but original hit singles like “Everything” and “Home” helped him break through to adult contemporary radio and expand his fanbase. In addition, his best-selling 2011 holiday album and his incessantly packed concert tours signify that his profile is on the rise.

How I Became a Fan:

Some of you may regard Bublé as nothing more than a bland, suited white guy singing old songs, and truth be told, I used to agree. I too found his music too old-fashioned, too slow and lacking in anything real and tangible that I could connect to. That all changed when he released the first single from his Crazy Love album. Entitled “Haven’t Met You Yet,” the song is told from the perspective of a young man who has grown somewhat disillusioned with his search for love. Yet, despite his doubts to the contrary, he perseveres in his hope that his dream woman is out there somewhere. Needless to say, my own struggles with the dating scene caused me to relate, and it remains one of my all-time favorite songs.

Why His Music Resonates With Me:

Aside from the above, Bublé’s music is understandably old-fashioned in its sincerity, blatant in its sentiment and confident in its relevance. The same could be said of me. I’ve always considered myself to be something of an old soul, uncommonly perceptive and naturally able to cut through all the superficialities of a situation or an individual. Much like Bublé’s career involves a young man singing music that predates his existence (in a style many consider extinct, no less), I have often felt like a man out of time. So, why wouldn’t I want to belt out “Cry Me a River” or “Save the Last Dance for Me”?

Signature Work:

Much to my delight, “Haven’t Met You Yet” is his highest-charting single in the United States.

Personal Favorite:

Besides the song that started it all, nothing pumps me up more than jamming out to Bublé’s rendition of “Feeling Good” with the windows down and the stereo up.

2) Michael Jackson (1958-2009)

How You May Know Him:

The better question is… is there any way you don’t know him? “Thriller.” “Billie Jean.” The Moonwalk. If none of these words ring a bell, you seriously need to stop reading this and get educated.

How I Became a Fan:

This is a tricky one because I can’t remember a time I wasn’t a fan. Legend has it that I pleaded with my mother to play “Beat It” even when I was a toddler. Come to think of it, there’s an excellent chance I emerged from the womb already wearing a sequined glove. Over the years, my love and appreciation of the King of Pop’s music has grown considerably. A true entertainer through and through, Jackson was truly one of a kind and impacted my childhood and adolescence as no other celebrity ever has.

Why His Music Resonates With Me:

Regardless of your thoughts of all the controversy Michael Jackson faced during his life, his music has remained steady in promoting environmental issues, protecting our children, embracing love and criticizing hate and disrespect (including – in MJ’s case – invasion of privacy). In addition to all of that, his solo catalog (not to mention his incredible work as the frontman for The Jackson 5, later known simply as The Jacksons) features countless classic dance tunes and beautiful, heartfelt love ballads. From rock to soul, pop to disco, Michael touched on them all, making his music truly applicable to everyone and remarkably timeless.

Signature Work:

Basically every track on Thriller.

Personal Favorite:

When it comes to MJ, you really can’t go wrong, but up-tempo jams like “The Way You Make Me Feel” and “Remember the Time” are rarely ever skipped on my iPod. Ditto for slower anthems like “Human Nature” and “Man in the Mirror.”

1) Stevie Wonder (1950-present)

How You May Know Him:

Blind from birth, Stevie Wonder emerged on the scene in the 1960s as one of the prodigies of the Motown era (he plays both piano and harmonica like a boss). His career peaked in the 1970s with albums like Songs in the Key of Life and Innervisions. These led to chart-topping songs like “Isn’t She Lovely,” “Higher Ground” and “I Wish,” which soon established him as one of the pre-eminent names in soul music. Since then, he’s continued to record, with the Grammy-winning 2005 album A Time to Love as his most recent release. Stevie Wonder remains a living legend and one of the most acclaimed and best-selling musical artists of all time.

How I Became a Fan:

At first, I neglected my two-disc Stevie Wonder compilation, only ever really listening to the tracks that I knew from my childhood. Songs like “I Just Called to Say I Love You” and “Sir Duke” are, of course, classics in their own right, and for my teenage self, this was enough for me to consider myself a fan, though not to the extent I would eventually become. It wasn’t until years later that I finally gave his lesser-known tracks a listen and had matured enough to really connect with the deeper messages inherent in his lyrics and melody, ultimately using his tunes as the primary inspiration for my creative writing.

Why His Music Resonates With Me:

Most of Stevie’s best work (not his overly radio-friendly tracks like “Superstition” and “Part-Time Lover”) delves into the world of unconditional love, nostalgia, dreams and hope. These themes are all brimming with positivity and the yearning for a better tomorrow, on both a personal and global scale. Like his fellow Motown-era geniuses – such as the late great Marvin Gaye and #2 on this very list – Stevie uses his music to entertain as well as inspire. That’s the very definition of art.

Signature Work:

I don’t care who you are. You will instantly recognize the intro to “Superstition.”

Personal Favorite:

“Overjoyed.” So simple, elegant and heartfelt. In that way, it’s a microcosm of his catalog as a whole.

However you might feel about these particular artists, I’m sure that some artist, band or composer has managed to grasp your soul and affect your life in the same way that these fellows have mine. Feel free to share your own Top 5 in the comments section, as I’d love to hear more about your musical taste and the stories tied into it.

And stay tuned for a future edition of Art of My Heart, in which I will discuss the films responsible for turning me into a film fanatic.

-Rob