Things that don't matter.

Things That Don’t Matter: Singing in public places

There’s a brilliant book worth reading. It’s called ‘The Fortress of Solitude’ and the author is Jonathan Letham. It’s about two kids, one black and one white growing up in 1970’s Brooklyn. The book concerns itself with many things: race, youth, poverty and parenting. It’s beautiful, lyrical and very moving.

The most striking element of the book is the use of music as a soundtrack. There are numerous snatches of funk, punk and new wave throughout. Many of the songs mentioned are favourites of mine. From the urgency of ‘Once in a Lifetime’ by the Talking Heads, to the wit of ‘Rappers Delight’ by the Sugerhill Gang. If a book can make you dance along then this is surely it.

I’ve just read a great chapter on the way home from work. As I got off the bus, the song ‘One Nation Under a Groove’ by Funkadelic came on my ipod. I sang along to it, openly, and got a few looks from people who were nearby. I was not embarrassed for I was in the moment.

I see hundreds of people everyday, headphones on, faces looking miserably at the pavement. What are they listening to? Music should be celebrated sometimes and not used as a tool of isolation.

Come on, join me. Let’s all sing our hearts out on the streets. What a sight that would be.