Monday, February 08, 2016

Preface To Valentine's Day 2016 - Heartbreak: Why? Why? Why?

Seriously, why?

Wasn't there also a Self Help Radio about jealousy one Valentine's Day?*  What is wrong with this show?  Valentine's Day is supposed to be about romance & love!  

As it says here, "Valentine's Day is a festival of romantic love, & many people give cards, letters, flowers, or presents to their spouse or partner. They may also arrange a romantic meal in a restaurant or night in a hotel."

Where's the show about giving cards, letters, flowers, or presents?  Where's the show about romantic meals or nights in a hotel?  Is it because heartbreak is an easier show to do?

Well, sure.

People are more likely to write songs about being sad than being happy, mostly because singing a song about being happy can easily sound smug or insufferable.  But the human condition is mostly one of unhappiness, & unhappiness needs consolation.  Music has been for many a major source of sympathy & empathy for many, from the teenager writing lyrics in her binder instead of notes to the elderly man at the symphony weeping to Beethoven.

(Plus, confidentially, there aren't a lot of songs about giving cards to people.)

* Yes, there was.

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