Are We the World?
Obviously, I have been spending quite a bit of time outside the homeland. But even before this, I tried to expose myself to music you don’t hear normally – in particular “world music”. My guess is it is referred to as “world music” because it doesn’t generate from an English speaking country. However, most countries DO speak English and everyone from Britney to Creed to Bon Jovi sells in every part of the world.
But “world music” doesn’t sell here. Granted, I don’t listen to the type of music that sells by the bushel in India or France or Japan. Most of that is pop music of the ilk I can’t stand – even in my native tongue. However, there are some amazing discs out there in foreign languages. Sa Dingding’s “Alive” is a beautiful record sung in five different languages and French singer Anaïs recent album “Love Story” is a really fine piece of pop. Dervish is an Irish band who sings strictly in Gaelic. I’ve even heard guys rap in Turkish, Arabic and French and it sounds great. And we hear “world music” everyday! If you’ve been to Cirque de Soleil you’ve heard it. If you’ve listened to a soundtrack – say “Black Hawk Down” – you’ve heard it. How many duets have you heard between some rock star and the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan?
However it still never catches fire here. Do you think we – as Americans – get turned off by a foreign language? I know myself that I’m more likely to pick up something from another country that’s instrumental than vocal. Do we need to know the words? Would I like Bon Jovi better if I DIDN’T understand the words (Lil’ Wayne too for that matter)? Or is it just like soccer – since it’s not our sport, we’re really not that into it.
Just a thought.
How many foreign artists do you own?