People today step out of their house to go to work, school, do errands or to just jog, and they turn on their mp3 player. Why? Listening to a preset of songs pumps you up, makes you feel like you're in a movie about yourself. Be it action, comedy, thriller, or romantic. Presets of songs reminds you of events, memories. Some might put a glee on your face and some might trigger that Billy Corgan in you, sitting in the bus alone, watching passing cars and people with an emo face.
This morning, on my daily routine of sending my dad to work, who usually switches on the radio and tuning in to BBC news, i thought i 'd give it a go. Why not? Instead of turning on my mp3 player, why don't i just listen. Listen to what? Well, everything!
First up was news on the BBC mixed with the sound of wind blowing in the car window, carrying a faint sound of Hey Leonardo by Blessid Union of Souls. Then, waving my dad goodbye from the parking lot, Missery Business by Paramore blasted from the parking ticket booth. I stopped and listened to all of it while puffing my cigarette, just for the feel.
It didn't stop there. When i went to a mamak stall to have my tosai, i was treated with a rather percussive piece, a tamil song, which i quite enjoyed. Next, i visited a pirated cd stall, and the taukeh were swinging his shoulders to a very fast paced fengtau. Next to them, a local deli which sells sandwich was playing a selection of Jeff Buckley, Quincy Jones, The Beatles, and some unfamiliar jazz quartet. Quite a taste.
Later, i overheard a bit of Anuar Zain on a ringtone. At the bus terminal, Tiada Lagi Kidungmu blasted from a small record store. Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis was leaking out from a young boy's headphones. On my way home, i was treated with a traditional zapin song from the radio. All of that, are only a small selection from what I've heard, not including the vast sounds that came out from strangers singing, beggars tunes from the streets and from car stereos.
So you tell me, why did they invent the iPod Shuffle in the first place when music in all sorts of form can be heard around us? Get out of that comfort zone, stop listening to songs that you're already familiar with, surprise yourself and throw away those earphones! Why not listen to overheard music?
