Hello and Self-Introduction From A NewBee

[sbush411]

Hello everyone.

This is my first day to actually participate as a member on this site. Until now, I have been a very active participant of another Tori site. However, at the suggestion of two other recent members here - Mycloud and Almost Historical (AH) - who became treasured friends of mine at the prior site - I have decided to venture out and give this a try.

I personally consider Tori Amos to be the single greatest singer, and most brilliant lyricist, to have ever graced this planet. Her Genius becomes readily discernible by simply examining the depth, and multi-dimensional aspects of the messages contained within her amazingly cryptic lyrics. When this is combined with her extraordinary ability to write music, which is crafted such that it perfectly fits with, and furhter enhanches the intended message; one cannot help but be in awe.

This opinion is based upon an assessment of thousands upon thousands of singers and music going back 60 years and continuing right up to the present; which also includes every known genre in the music world today.

I actually possess a memory of virtually 100 % of the lyrics to over 10,000 songs. I also know from 80-90 % of the lyrics to an additional 20,000 songs. This would include songs by Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones,Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, Procol harum, Nat King Cole, Little Peggy Marcch, Kelly Clarkson, Sugarland, Sara Evans, Hayley Westenra, The Verve, Beck, Pink Floyd, Pnk, The Moody Blues, Tim McGraw, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Maroon 5, Rihanna, Nickelback, Allanah Miles, Avril Lavigne, Carrie Underwood, Christina Aguilera, Green Day. Jefferson Airplan/Starship, Evanescence, Kid Rock, Megadeth, Metallica, Guns and Roses, Genesis, Eric Clapton, The Yardbirds, The Byrds, The Dixie Chicks, Alicia keys, Jethro Tull, The Animals, Natalie Merchant, The Dave Clar Five, The Pointer Sisters, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Eminem, Arosmith, Johnny Nash, Michael Jackson,Jaet jckson, Mary J. Blige, Peter, Paul, and Mary, Britney Spears, Madonna, Bruce Springstein, Emmerson Lake and Palmer, Bob Seger, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, The Charlie Daniels Band, Seether, Amy Lee, Leona Lewis, Kenny chesney, Brad Paisley, Toby Keith, Kate Bush and literally thousands upon thousands other singers too numerous to list., in this post.

In addition to having a memory of so many lyrics running around in my head, I also have a personal interpretation of what I believe every one of those songs are about. (I recognize that any time you attempt to interpret the mind of another, there is always a significant danger of being wrong, however.)

At any rate, just so that you don't get the wrong idea, I have never spent a great deal of time trying to memorize lyrics nor in trying to analyze them either. Since I was 10-Years old (I am now 56) any time I would hear a song on the Radio once, by the time it was over I would know all of the lyrics and have formulated an idea of what I think it is about. Today, any time I hear a new song on the radio, while driving to the office at work, for example, by the time it is over, I will have know all of the lyrics and have come to a conclusion as to what I think it is about. On some long and more complicated songs, it maigh require a 2nd, and very rarely a 3rd listen to do that.

Over time, my knowledge of lyrics just kept on continuing to grow. Thus, after 46-years of doing this, I have amassed a huge encyclopedic knowledge of music. (I alo absolutey love Classical, such as Beethoven, Brahms, Tcaikovsky, Mozart, Chopin, Greig, Schubert, Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Mendelssohn, Strauss, Wagner, Handel, Haydn,Berlioz, Back, Dvorak, etc...)

Thus, I feel that when I say Tori is the greatest and most Brilliant singer to ever grace this planet, I believe I am speaking with some degree of credibility.

At any rate, I am looking forward to getting to know all of you Tori Fans. I truly believe that for anyone to be such a fan, they must also have an intellect well above the average - since her lyrics and music, are clearly designed to only appeal to those who have the wherewithall to appreciate her.

To learn more, I would also reference the "GOT A CLOUD SLEEPING ON MY TONGUE" Forum. Then click on "Who We Are." next Click on Page-26, and it's the 2nd One Down.

Looking forward to an exchange of exciting and meaningful dialog.



Steve B. (sbush411)

[Smokey John]

Heey welcome to the afteglow, it's always nice to have new people around

[mycloud]

Congrats on your intro Steve. You will find so much more info here. Also the people here are some of the best in the Tori Universe, and we just had our 6th year on line. This is no fly by night forum, just look at some of the post counts of the older members. I am proud and happy to be a member of this forum and I see soon, you will feel the same.

[almosthistorical]

Dear Steve,
I'm very happy to see you on this forum that I've become quite fond of. As always, you know how to post something that really explains what you think and feel, that's what I like so much about you
Hopefully, you're going to like it in here! And as mycloud said, post post post away - I will be happy to read what you think ;D
Love, AH

[sbush411]

Thank you Ah, Mycloud and Smokey John. It looks like Mycloud and AH are absolutely correct about this forum being such a great place. I love the organized structure and format. From examining it, I can definitely see where I am going tol enjoy interacting with everyone here.

I am also very glad to have two very dear Friends, (AH and Mycloud) here with me as well.



Steve B.

[butterfly8]

Hello,
My name is Maya and I'm from the U.S. I found out about The Afterglow from a friend of mine known as mycloud and became interested to join in order to share interests. I've known about Tori Amos for quite a while, my father had her albums Little Earthquakes and Under the Pink. As a child I'd listen to her music and I was struck by how unique her style was. Her lyrics and vocals were very abstract since they were so in depth with the music. The lyrics were very inspiring to me because one visual word would have several different meanings in order to remain a mystery to keep the curiosity intact. I became very interested in art, (especially poetry) and made many arts and crafts in my room and I'd put many pictures I'd made or collected out of magazines on my wall in order to express my inspiration from various subjects and many other music artists. It's shaped my perspective of things and has become this peaceful/creative atmosphere wherever I go when I have things like this in mind. Music is very important for me to have because it's a motivation when it comes to what I have to do and helps me get through the day or reach a goal to where I can feel free without anything nagging in the back of my mind. I listen to music and there are no limits, it just goes on forever playing in my head like thoughts, and with headphones I feel emotions from the music and I see images in my head relating often to how I feel. It's that time of solitude I really make for myself so that I can think about things and just be. For me music describes life and I really take joy in fact that it's part of it. Without it, I wouldn't feel as free as I do and that freedom is important and wonderful to have. It's nice to share thoughts and ideas and I look forward to being here getting to know others on this forum.

[mycloud]

It's nice to see you here Maya. We all love Tori and her music here. Plus this is a safe forum, I hope you can feel comfortable here and have fun.

[deborah77]

Hi and welcome to the Glow

[She-Ra Winehouse]

Welcome, welcome!

Maya, I never thought I'd meet someone else that got introduced to Tori by daddy. I had the same thing, I even had T sign BFP to my dad, since he bought it and then I stole it from him

Steve, I also remember the lyrics to a song quite soon, after the 3rd listen. It comes in handy sometimes, but singing along to every single Spice Girl song, does bring on some weird looks sometimes

Have a great time here, you're gonna love it

[dilutedspark]

hello and welcome!!

[sbush411]

Hello Maya (butterfly8) and Welcome to this forum. Just Like You and Almost Historical (AH),. I too came to this site as a result of McCloud inviting me. MyCloud is becoming a great recruiter for "The Afterglow." I will say that I am very glad he did. I agree with MyCloud where he says it is "Safe Here." This is a well organized and exceptionally structured forum. I am also finding that both the members and Staff, are extraordinary people - whom I am happy to be a part of.

I also want to thank Deborah77 and Dilutedspark for thier warm welcome, as well.

Shireen: Unfortunately for me, I have never had the ability to sing. Thus, I rarely every try to sing along to any songs. However, all my life, since I was 10-years old, every time I would hear a song, usually only once, I would know all the lyrics. It was only on very rare occassions, where a song may be very long and complex, that it would require a 2nd and even more rarely, a 3rd listen.

I have also managed to retain the memeory of practically every song I have ever heard since I was 10-years old. And of course, every new one I hear today, is still the same. I have so many thousands upon thousands upon thousands of song lyrics running around in my head today, even I can't believe it.

The same is true about books I read, as well. I have also read thousands upon thousands of Books, Including The Bible, in it;s entirety (Front To Back) The Hindu Bible (The Bahadgadvagita) in its entirety, The Muslim Bible (the Quran) in it's entirety, The "Tebetian Book Of the Dead" which The Dali Lama claims is the true fundamental Buddisht Bibloe - I have also read numerous other books on Buddhism, as well. Additionally, I have Read Several Books on Kabala, Theosophy, Books By Soreen Kirkagaard, Albert Camu, Aristotle, and a myriad of others on Philosopy, Existentialism,Transactional Analysis, Tons of books on Theoretical Physic (Such as those dealing with Black Holes, Relativity, String Theory) and a Host of History Books, and others. (Most of these within the past 3-4 Years) In my lifetim, I have easily read well over 6,000 Books Dealing With Fiction (such as everything by Leo Tolstoy, Doestoyevsky, Herman Hess, J.R.R Tolkien, Ayn Rand, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, JUST TO NAME A FEW), Tons of Books of Law, (Conducting Direct And Cross Examination, Hearings etc, our Legal Structure - OF COURSE THESE ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO MY JOB), Mahatma Ghandi, and other great and/or infamous leaders who have made a powerful impact on History, etc... Thus, I also have a memory of thousands of quotes, paggages, story lines etc.., also running around in my head as a Result.

My three greatest loves in life are:

Number-1 MY WIFE of over 34 years - We got married on May 29, 1974

Number-2 MUSIC

Number -3 READING

In spite of loving Music so much, it may surprise you to know that I have never danced in my Life - This is primarily because I don't know how to Dance. I have also never partied in My life, nor gone out to any night-clubs, bars, etc.., and I have never taken any Alcohol or smoked in My Life. This was not based on a conscious decsion, nor on any belief system against drinking or smoking. My ONLY reason for not doing that was that I tried to drink alcohol, and found I simply could not stand the taste of it - the same reason for smoking. THAT REALLY IS THE ONLY REASON - that I don't drink to this day. I have tried, only once, practically every type of alcoholic drink there is. When I was in the Air Force, many would try to pressure me to Drink. I was always willing to try anything once, Just, I would take one drink, and If I didn't like it, (Never did) I did not give it a 2nd chance. I also tried to smoke once, with the same result.

In spite of a lot of peer group pressure to do that in school, College, the Military, Friends, socail and work aquaintances, etc.., I was never one to really be overly concerned about peer group pressure. For me it was easy, If I didn't like something the first time, I had no intention of making myself learn to like it, just to please others.

Another surprise might be that in my entire 56-Years, I have never had any Prescription Drugs or Medications put in my body, to this day. Also, in the 38 Plus years of working, I have never taken off work for a single day of Sick leave, to this day.

For me, Music had a deeper intellectual appeal; as opposed to an appeal to dance or party, etc... Thus, the lyrics took on an immense value. Music with silly lyrics, that had a great beat and was designed for dancing to, did not have much meaning for me.

Of course, a song with great lyrics, that did not sound good, also did not hold much value to me either. for me to love a song, it had to sond good, and simultaneously possess an intellectual appeal, as well.



Steve B.

[She-Ra Winehouse]

Sept 5, 2008 9:05:26 GMT -5 sbush411 said:

Shireen: Unfortunately for me, I have never had the ability to sing. Thus, I rarely every try to sing along to any songs. However, all my life, since I was 10-years old, every time I would hear a song, usually only once, I would know all the lyrics. It was only on very rare occassions, where a song may be very long and complex, that it would require a 2nd and even more rarely, a 3rd listen.

Who said I could sing

[sbush411]

Hello Shireen86!


Aha. Now I see. (LOL) At least you're brave enough to try and sing along with songs. I have never been that brave. Lack of bravery is also the same reason I've never tried to learn to dance!!!

I know I have always wished to connect with someone who could sing, but needed a song writer. I can definitely write songs. My problem is I can't sing them. (I also have never develop an ability to play an instrument, either) I have written several songs, but don't know how to go about trying to find someone who would be willing to give them a try.



Steve B.

[butterfly8]

Hi Steve, you sure have alot to say about yourself. It's nice to meet you.

I love singing, it's so much fun! But I don't dance that much either, I only do so when nobody's watching. I read about what music you like, and how it has to be good music and good lyrics. Fair enough. Me too. Sometimes though I like music that some poeple I know find repulsive lol! But I to like to listen to various things. There's this thing about unusal or different sounds that are interesting to me. I always enjoy listening to the engineer workings in music like for example the percussion will go in one ear of the headphones and then it will move to the other ear. Other sounds like shuffling cards used in one of Bjorks songs and crackling ice and rice crispies is pretty cool. When I first heard the album Vespertine I had to get it and I was so exited the same way when I heard PJ Harvey's white chalk record because I also like folk music. I also like triphop from artists like Portishead and Tricky. I have no one favorite artist. I like too many now that I've discovered more. Lately I've been listening to Shirly Manson's band Garbage and found that their music really clicks with me. Even M.I.A. is great and I love dance music. I could go on and on but I have to go so...

[mycloud]

Maya, you should post some of your poems on here. I so enjoyed them on the other site. I feel people here would like them as well.