Beethoven, particularly the Ninth Symphony, has always made me get goosebumps. Some of his other work can bring me to tears, with the passion and beauty of it. I've been collecting variations of Pachelbel's "Canon" since I was a teenager (George Winston is my hands-down favorite), and have an entire collection of CDs of nothing but the "Canon." And I listen to them almost as medicine when I'm stressed, because it's beautiful, yet orderly. Schubert's "Andantino," from "Trout Quintet" is another favorite of mine, and many, many more. Christmas music I only listen to at Christmas, but much of it is so hauntingly beautiful, especially when performed well, that it, too, sends chills down my spine.

I too have my favorites, Holy Holy Holy by Keith Greene, almost anything by Lilly Goodman, stuff I want played at my funeral that tells who I am... We are most amazingly made. This 'house' we live in, we are so tied to it...tied to it in every way. It reacts to what we see, hear, feel, understand, fear, perceive...one day this 'house' will wear out, and there will be no more skin chills and orgasms, but we will still be hearing, seeing, feeling, understanding, and perceiving...

Every day on CBC Radio in Canada, at the end of the afternoon show, they play a different rendition of Pachelbel's Canon. They've been doing this for years and years. It's amazing how many recordings there are. G Winston's version is the only song on the piano I can play. My family never gets tired of it!

I'll go with most anything Beethovan, most anything Mozart (Wolfgang), Debussy, Ravel, Renaissance music. Bernstein's 'Chichester Psalms', basically, good music soothes my soul. Interesting article.

Every time I hear Charlotte Church's duet she did of "Pie Jesu", it moves me. Another song that brings me to tears every time I attempt to sing along is the song "By My Side" from the movie of Godspell. I was barely a teenager when this movie came out in the early 70's, based on the Broadway play of the same name. The feeling of pain and anguish the "Jesus" character was feeling upon knowing his death was imminent and knowing that the "Judas" character would turn him in....and the rest of the crew trying to prove to "Jesus" that they would follow him unto the end of time. I have tried countless times to get through it without choking up, but I don't believe I've been successful. Another song that just takes my breath away is from "Jesus Christ Superstar"...called "Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say)". I used to think Ted Neeley's movie version was the one of the best vocals I'd ever heard, but thanks to YouTube, I have since heard another version of this magnificent song by a guy named Steve Balsamo. His voice has so much range and is so powerful! Anyone who appreciates a strong, yet beautiful voice ought to go check out the video of him singing "Gethsemane" on YouTube. You can't help but be moved by his performance.

Samuel Barber's Adiago for Strings and the Agnus Dei choral arrangement to Barber's piece do it for me. As well as all the other pieces mentioned. I always knew there was something to beautiful music.

Not only music, but intense awakening of the soul gives me chills. If someone tells me something profound,

for instance or I hear the sounds of any composer who gifted us with music that linked to an cord of hope,

or peace and yes Love, then my heart accepts the gift and then responds with goosebumps. I will be singing

The Star That Shines, and I truly believe that goosebumps are beams from the heart that touch the soul. My

most inspired goosebumps are from The Holy Spirit and Christmas is the best time of the year to experience

lots of heart beams! I wish everyone a beautiful Season filled with lots of magical goosebumps!!!

Ode to Joy by Beethoven always reminds me of my grandma, also chill inducing are Flight of the Valkyries by Wagner, and Hall of the Mountain King. Another one is Hallelujah by Leonard Coen. As Ned Flanders would say they're spine tingly dingly.

interesting study, i've definitely gotten chills many times at concerts - or hearing new music for the first time. I cant for the life of me think of one piece of music that gives me chills EVERY time I hear it...no matter how many times ive heard it.

I usually get chills when I hear someone preform live - whether in person, or on tv...its the moment that moves me, not so much the specific song being song.

Edited - just read Stephanie's post below, Kissing You by Desiree definitely gives me the chills, not sure if its EVERY time...but most times...so im guessing there are others, hmmmm...now I have some thinking to do!

Dvorak's "Songs My Mother Taught Me". Just typing the title gave me all over chills. Mozart's "Requiem", Handel's "Watermusic", Enya's "Watermark". Brass quintets, woodwind quintets. A full chorus that thunders through your chest as they sing. Can you tell I am an opera singer and a horn player? :P

Totally not where I thought this article was headed. I have played in front of ashtray's,3 or 4 bugs bouncing off the neon's, a waitress or 2, and a few bartenders serving drunks that couldn't even get up to piss drunk at more than one gig. Its still amazing to me as a artist when someone gets in you. Actually tells you they cried or live that song. ANDnot asking for a fu.k in the same breath. My point and whats reallyamazing, is what I saw on 3 different occasions when I ran lights and mixed someparticular shows. Has anyone ever seen somebody light up on stage? actually glow like a light bulb during part of a song. I wont name names but if your In the biz or frequent shows. Don't think your crazy when you know its not the lights,cuz it does happen. Its not just a cliche producers use. I never though much about it till I saw it. The goose bumps were nothing compared to the electricity the crowd was getting. Even with so many years in and out of the biz I never believed it till about 5 years ago. And NO! I was in time out for drugs on those occasions so don't even go there.

The scientific term for this process is horripilation, which refers to hair standing on end, an unconscious process caused by the contraction of little tiny muscles under the skin, the erector pillae.

In animals it happens when they're threatened and their instincts make them "puff up" and look bigger to perhaps intimidate an enemy. In humans we react this way to sights of horror and also, very interestingly, to sounds or sights or even words and ideas which stimulate a feeling of awe or reverence.

I'm certain that the particular songs which eveoke this response are conditioned by cultural tradition. As described above, many of us respond to Pachelbel or Beethoven, because that's what we grew up with. There might be other selections which folks from other cultures, like the rocker above who gets into Morphine Carnival, prefer and respond to. To each their own.

An interesting question to research would be to see if there are any truly universal pieces of music which almost everyone from any culture, Eastern, Western, African, Australian Aboriginal, all respond to the same. I'm not certain on this, but I rather doubt it. Cultures vary so much, what's cacophonous noise to one may be transcendental bliss to another. Again, to each their own.

"messiah gives you chills"

thought they were talking about obama.

Junkie, great shout out to Horns! Haven't played in years but am thinking of picking it back up. I don't sing opera, but I am singing The Messiah with a group tomorrow night. I'm not a soloist, but we are decent enough for people to pay to hear us; and we do have excellent soloists. Surprisingly, my husband got me into this! My daughter sings opera and will be in a one act opera in the spring.

I can get this response from almost any type of music in our culture if it's the right song. I've had chills with hard rock, classical, and lots of things in between. As a child I remember hearing a song at the ballet and sobbing b/c I wanted to hear it again. My mom actually found out the name of the song and got me the album! (No, I wasn't spoiled or a brat, nor did I throw a tantrum-she told me she understood how I felt about the music.) We grew up hearing The Messiah every year b/c my mom always played piano; it still gives me chills, esp. with great performances. My daughter is a classical singer and in one performance she sang "O Holy Night"; at least half the front row was in tears (strangers.) As one commenter said above, I think it is something like the performer "lighting up" or feeling it. For me, as for most of my family, music has always been a huge part of life. I've sung in front of people (none professional) since I was probably 3, I played a few instruments, and I began composing at about 12. My daughter is MUCH more successful than I, however (which isn't saying much), and I couldn't be happier. I could no more do without music than stop breathing.

A music student singing John Lennon's "Imagine" on the 30th anniversary of his death. Wednesday on NPR.

The Arabian Dance from The Nutcracker, along with its opening bars...

Libertango as played by Yo Yo Ma on the cello...

Desperado by The Eagles...

Almost anything by Billy Joel, although the stadium concert where the audience takes over on the chorus of Piano Man is a guaranteed move-to-tears...

Hearing or singing Autumn Leaves...

My mother signing Ave Maria...

Pachelbel's Canon in D.

@ devilsadvocate -

I watched the Steve Balsamo do "Gethsemane". Truly inspiring. I know the Gospels tell of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, and His prayer, "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me." Later on He speaks of how He had the option to only ask, and 12 legions of angels would come to deliver Him, but He knew that mankind would be lost if He did not go to the cross. It had to be One in whom was the holy seed, for you and I would never have had the strength of resolve.

I grew up listening to Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar. My parents saw a live production of the latter, and bought the LP record. I listened to it over and over and over and learned it almost verbatim. When I became a Christian at age 17, my world changed dramatically and I never revisited those works. I do remember them though, and I feel that for all the beauty of the music, and the vision the words portray, it is the world's attempt to convey it's version of those events, and they don't quite get it right. But short of meditating and understanding the excruciating agony of the pre-crucified Christ, Jesus Christ Superstar does a fair job of directing one to consider those events. And Steve Balsamo does a fine job of it!

Definitely Handel's Hallelujah Chorus

and k.d. lang singing Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah at the 2010 Olympics......gives me shivers every time with her velvet voice.

Elvis Presley's performance of "An American Trilogy" from his Viva Las Vegas Show will raise the bumps on most folks too

I agree completely. I'm a grown man, and I'm not ashamed to say that certain pieces of music can give me chills and sometimes bring me to tears. Seeing certain paintings and drawings can also give me chills but none has brought me to tears yet. It's nice to know I'm not alone in this. Now I kind of feel sorry for those who can't have the experience.

I agree with kevin watching...I do feel sorry for those that don't have the feeling or experiences!

Love songs Earth Wind and Fire: Devotion, Salsa Music -Groupo Niche, rhumba's Lazaro Roz santero cubano, Barry White, Mariachi's "mi Negra" Patsy Cline "I'm Crazy". They say I came out dancing... since my mother worked in a record/music store when she was pregnant from me...in 1958/1959.

...I only to listen to music that gives me chills and that's pretty much ALL kinds of Music...Jazz, Opera, Ravi Shankar...I LOVE MUSIC and it makes me happy and I get "Horripilation" like one of the person's gave us the technical term...sounds like Nasty but O Boy it feels so Good! Agree everyone..

I love the study and I will archive this study in my book about my unconscious....chills...but if I listen to the music to give me the chills is it still UNCONSCIOUS? Or is it premeditated Horripilation? smile LOL!

Have a Happy Horripilation Everyone!

Little Drummer Boy.......no matter who sings it........gets me every time. Rob Thomas singing Little Wonders. I could go on and on. Lee Greenwood does it for me too, and I'm not American "lol"

For your information, those people ringing those 'damn' bells are collecting money for those much less fortunate than those of you who have a grant to study why some people get the chills when they listen to certain music.

I think you owe an apology to the Salvation Army and to the people of communities that volunteer to ring those 'damn' bells. I am one of those people in the community and will be ringing the bell today.

Not only do I get the chills when I listen to the hallelujah chorus but shed tears as well.

Twila Butler Eugene Oregon

like you, Stephanie, i get a lump in my throat when i hear "The National Anthem." i feel like throwing something at those idiots at a ball game that don't remove their hats. "Taps" makes me cry. it doesn't mean "lights out, go to bed" to me, it means a military funeral. i've attended too many.

But its a good embarressment. Just shows how big our hearts are.

The national anthem gets me also, and I have to be honest, when we go to parades and I hear either the bagpipes or even the high school band walking by playing the drums. I get all choked up. It's embarassing! But I tell myself, at least I have emotions lol

Pachelbel's Canon also moves me to tears every time. It is on my son's lullaby CD and it always chokes me up.

PJW: I think Lenny was smoking something when he wrote Chichester Psalms. Being a bass and having to chant "Uhu, Uhu ya lim yego, ect." is the price you have to pay to get closer to the stuff that sends chills down your back. My present favorite is Chantcleer's Bibel Ave Maria - not only chills, but tears and a choking sensation. - and I'm pretty much an unbeliever.

Am with you on 'Oh, Holy Night.' "Fall to your knees...........", just gets me every time.

I agree that a well-done singing or playing of the national anthem is very moving. I get really irritated when singers (even celebrities) at sports events try to add their own "interpretation". Usually, the song becomes unrecognizable.

Stephanie, ever notice how some people are musicians, and they put words to their music, but others are poets, and they put music to their poetry?

Definitely live music, especially, Tiesto.

I agree, live music almost always beats recorded. Took my wife to see Handel's Messiah performed at St. Aloysius church at Gonzaga University last Easter. (It was originally intended to be performed at Easter rather than Christmas.) It was performed as it would have been originally, small choir and they used the same type of instruments, including a small organ as would have been used when it was first performed. We had front row seats, the acoustics were great and the alto soloist had the most gorgeous voice I have ever heard. Smooth and rich, remided me of Karen Carpenter, only better I think. Talk about goosebumps.

The only things that gets me more than that is to hear my daughter sing Shenandoah (yeah, I know, everybody thinks their kids are good, but she is pretty good, going to college next fall on a music scholarship) and the hear my other daughter play Girl with the Flaxen Hair by Debussy. She is currently studying piano pedagogy at college. What a blessing to be able to hear and enjoy music (my parents and my college choir directory were most instrumental in teaching me to love music) and to have your children love music.. a double blessing.

And Aaron, from a Christian perspective, everything Christians do will one day end...visiting the sick, preaching, teaching, giving to the poor, baptism...everything, except worship. The singing will go on forever!

One of my "chills" songs is "I Can Only Imagine". "Will I sing for you Jesus or in awe of you be still". Also I love anything by Trans Siberian Orchestra. Saw them live 2 years ago. AMAZING! Some singers can bring me to chills, Sandy Patty, Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman. I agree with the article, if you are open to the experiance you will feel the emotions.

I wondered how far down I would have to scroll til someone mentioned Trans Siberian Orchestra - they are phenomenal - their CD's can bring me to tears, and always the shiver thing - - and seeing them live is beyond description - if you haven't discovered them yet = make it a point to give them a listen - you'll be glad you did

Trans Sibeian Orchestra are amazing. Also Moody Blues "Knights in White Satin" album. Almost liike out of body experience.

I would agree, where I'm a big fan of rock and metal, they just don't give you the chills like a good piece of classical music. I do find that I hear way too much Christmas tunes every year so as to reduce to emotional impact. At least one radio station in this town starts playing xmas tunes on Nov 29th and plays them non stop till Jan 1st.

captainthursday, ever listened to ISIS, especially thier final CD? Thier music (and lyrics) paint so many vivid imagines its amazing. Oceanic is also a great CD. Aaron Turner may not have had the best vocal range but it definitely helped make the music and set the (sometimes dark) tone. great stuff! enjoy!

padutchchick, probably most of us stuff it down and quench it. I can be in Walmart shopping....praise God for iPods that make shopping tolerable...and "I Adore" by Hillsong will come on, or I'm in my car singing to a cd that's playing...we're too aware of our surroundings and inhibited. I'm sure Jackson Pollock appreciates the display of emotion very much.

My dad was a WWII POW, too, and any music from that era affects me deeply (can't listen to "I'll Be Home for Christmas" w/out crying). They don't make 'em like that anymore.

I'm a Marine on extended TAD to CivLant... ;-) Thanks for bringing back a wonderful old memory for me. Every night after taps, one of our D.I.s would say "Click" (turning on his "radio") and the voices of 78 recruits would join in a low-volume rendition of the Marine Corps Hymn. Talk about chills! My eyes are welling up as I write this and I thank God that I was blessed to serve our country as one of "The Few. The Proud. The Marines." And, just as important, I thank God for each and every Marine that has served, is serving or will serve as well as those who understand and support them!

UUH-RAH, to you Marine. semper fi! ( from a Corpsman)

@yagotta...awesome! I was in the "triple threat" co (performing co for grad) in bootcamp and each night the chior would sing a different song. My favorite was "the lion sleeps tonight". The harmony would send crazy chills. The song "proud to be an American" had just been released (91) and we performed it at grad. There wasn't a dry eye in the drill hall.

Wow, have to admit reading that just caused some goosebumps here, too.

O Holy Night brings me to tears of joy every time I hear it and I'm not what youn would call a sensitive guy. To me it is the most beautiful song that man has ever written.

Celine Dion singing "O Holy Night" is like a glimpse into heaven.

You've hit the nail right on the head there...also, believe it or not, Louis Armstrong's version of "What a Wonderful World".

My favorite Christmas song of all time. Sandy Patty's version makes me cry.

O Holy Night is tough to sing, in that it is sustained and every line gets higher and for those of us with low voices are shut out just when you need it. Jackie Evancho does it very well at age 9, but she has to breath like crazy to support those long lines.

Josh Groban's version is hands down the best one there is.

amen!

I believe it is "the soul felt its worth," not spirit. I also get goosebumps over this verse, plus the final "O night divine, O night, O Holy Night."

I wish more people felt like us about Jesus! The world would certainly be a better place! By the way, the song "How Great Thou Art" give me the chills! Merry Christmas!

Opiate of the masses is not a music.

I wish more people didn't feel like you about Jesus. Or Mohammed, or any of the other religious figures. The world would be a MUCH better place.

I do get chills when listening to music, especially chorale music, but I get them often when I'm reading the bible too. Suddenly something I've read many times before but never noticed will jump off the page at me, and it's as if God is saying, "This is what I want you to know today." I bet many Christians have had that experience. I rarely experienced it prior to becoming a Christian, but it started happening immediately afterwards. So I relate it to the Holy Spirit. If non-Christians are having the same experience, I suppose that wouldn't be an explanation for what is happening to them. I only know what happened to me.

Just this morning the Sunday school teacher in my church mentioned how different passages jump off the page at him. Sometimes it is a verse one never saw before or a familiar verse that takes on a new meaning.

Brother Iz's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" doesn't just give me chills; it always makes me cry.

Try listening to Eva Cassidy's version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow as well. That voice combined with her tragic life will definitely bring on the waterworks.

Oh yes, "Circle of Life" gets me every single time! The first time I saw "The Lion King" I missed the first 10 minutes of the movie because it took me that long to get over the opening scene with "Circle of Life". Moving beyond words.

Somewhere over the Rainbow...how did I forget that one! Gets me every time...

Mozart's "Dies Irae" does it for me.

Have you heard Julie Andrews sing "In the Bleak MidWinter"? You must be a maestro to have written this. I am so moved I can hardly see to type and can no longer think of all the music I planned to list. Just want to say you all have inspired me to seek out some of the classical listings and create my own playlist to enjoy as we travel for Christmas. I have cried at so many mentions of my favorites you have shared: the hymns and military songs and our national anthem, taps, Amazing Grace on bagpipes.Ah! I am undone!

Oh, Ann, I know what you mean. Sometimes I put on "The Lake Isle of Innisfree" as performed on violin by Celtic Women, and then spend an afternoon of music-induced and tearful emotion. And the parting piece in fact was "Amazing Grace," on bagpipes .....

That particular poem, the lyrics of the piece, was my father's favorite and his request to be read at his graveside. Crappo, now I'm getting mistry remembering that windy afternoon on a sere slope in Southern California ....

I was unaware that Julie Andrews had recorded that song. I first heard it on an album of Christmas music conducted by John Rutter, and later performed several solo passages in it with a lovely Episcopal choir in Orange County, CA. I'll try to get the Andrews version.

Well, anyhow - I was at one time as a sideline a church music director and choirmaster, but mostly I am a singer. My older daughter is an opera singer, composer and instrumentalist, and I can't get through any of her performances, either.

Ah and mention of her brings to mind Gabriel Faure's "Cantique de Jean Racine," commonly known here as "Oh, Redeemer Divine." I've had it performed for my daughter's baptism, and a dear young friend's funeral. How odd ... but then that line, "We return these gifts to Thee .....'

If you want to be uplifted, see if you can find Nicolai Gedda's superb performance of "Je Crois Entendre Encore," from Bizet's "Pearlfishers." I think it's the most glorious love song ever written. "Oh, souvenir d'amour, oh, souvenir ... d'a ... mour ....."

I'm sure it is because of the lyrics, the message that is being received and experienced by the person's spirit and is perhaps, 'translated' to the mind and physical body, thus causing the soul (the total person) to experience chills. The beautiful music just adds to the experience. Also, surely, this probably happens most to those of us whose hearts are open to beauty, kindness, love...even open to Jesus (even though some may not realize it). Bible students know that God breathed His breath, His Spirit into Adam's nostrils and he became a 'living soul'. And isn't it interesting that the last thing a person does when they die is exhale...their breath or spirit back to the God who gave it in the first place? This is also, how and why our bodies are referred to as 'the temple of the Holy Spirit'! Our bodies do not 'belong' to us. They belong to the God who gave us our bodies, our talents...our life!

Oops! I didn't mean to preach, but, sometimes I just get carried away. So, I hope this does not offend anyone! This is really a good thing! Each and every individual is important to the Real God of the Universe. He wants us to LOVE Him for He loves us and is not willing that any one be lost. However, because of people's hard hearts, many will not choose Him and will be lost of their own choosing!

Questions: Do you have a God? Do you love your God, or are you afraid of Him? Does your God love you? How do you know? Does He ask you to do good things or bad things? Do you enjoy serving your God? Do you feel you need to be high on something to carry out His commands? Would a loving Creator, Father require you to be a terrorist or a suicide-bomber? Think about it to yourself. The God of the Universe is the only one that you really have to answer to anyway, NOT man. The God of the Bible says, 'Come now, and let us reason together'. Isiah 1:18 'Do not be overly wicked, nor be foolish: why should you die before your time?' Ecclesiastes 7:17.

In either case, it's the meaning one responds to. The precise meaning of an instrumental passage may be difficult to define, but if you respond to it, it's got meaning, of some kind, for you.

Well, pat a, just for myself, I'd have to say instrumentals do it more for me. I think it evokes fond memories of playing an instrument in jr. & sr. high school & in college, all the people I met & hung around with. A feeling of connection w/ other people, I guess.

Hi Pat

I have been investigating chills for years and wrote a book on them. To me, the chills come from truth and from music. Sometimes a combo . Don

Actually, for me just the opposite is true. My chill-inducing pieces are Mahler 5, Copland 3, the Dvorak Cell Concerto, some Brahms, etc. I think that the fact that you get chills is based on your personality, but the particular pieces that give you chills are based entirely on your past experience. I play the French Horn, so I grew up listening to a lot of late Romantic music, hence, that's the music I'm most 'vulnerable' to.

I think it's because the chills come from the emotions felt when listening to those particular pieces. It's easier to evoke those emotions in most people with concrete words than, say, a minor key, stirring chord progression, or change in volume.

I also think that people with musical backgrounds can be more affected by instrumental music because we can understand more deeply the "theory" behind the music. We know that different keys are meant to evoke different feelings, building chords mean building tensions, etc. If you understand what goes into composing a song, you'll be more able to feel what the composer intended.

Both do it for me. Maybe it's because I am a vocalist and an instrumentalist. Music's been ingrained in me since birth. My life is a soundtrack. A song can come in the radio and I can recall exactly where I was the first time I heard it. I smell something and it reminds me of a song or piece of music. It's weird.

Both do it for me too. I tear up and get goosebumps over more than just music too. Movies, voices, even preaching does it to me. And exercising too. I'm one huge orgasm. It embarrasses the family and I love it. LOL!

The human voice is a wonderful thing, and there's a quality to it that an instrumentalist or composer tries to mimic. Back in the 60's I was knocked out of my seat in Symphony Hall in Boston, at the opening of the 4th movement of Saint-Seans Organ symphony with the combination of two pianos, harp and strings and organ pedal if I remember the instrumentation correctly.

I get chills from all kinds of gorgeous music but for some reason, choral music does it more than most. My favorites are Loridsen's O Magnum Mysterium, just about anything by Eric Whitacre but especially Sleep, Stephen Paulus' Pilgrim's Hymn, Stroope's Psalm 23...this list goes on.

As for other music, Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor does it for me every single time more than anything else. Soaring chords on organ...such a rich and full sound!

RckBndJunkie, It's not weird to have a soul, or being one with the voices in your head. No b.s. I get ya cuz Ive done the same. I've had the same girl up my ass for a year an dont play as much. But after the show, especially if I just mixed all night don't turn my fu-n radio on. Sometimes the mind and soul must rest not just for the silence but from the music jerking you around in time. The issues my self inflicted abuse comes from is writing. poems are easy song are too but living one out, now that's a challenge.(writing the spoken word is almost impossible) Pissing off a girlfriend or getting another one just to get a reaction for a fresh line or two,a new hook, crossover or finish a damn chorus you been readjusting for years. Why would anyone want to be in music?. Is there a dark side of the moon or is it lit as it turns. Could it just be what others cant see gives the insperation to show them in a song or is this all just lunacy..click..click..testing 1.2.3.? J.b. in Houston still gettin down with the sickness.

I also think that people with musical backgrounds can be more affected by instrumental music because we can understand more deeply the "theory" behind the music. We know that different keys are meant to evoke different feelings, building chords mean building tensions, etc. If you understand what goes into composing a song, you'll be more able to feel what the composer intended.

It is for precisely this reason that the lack of arts and music instruction, even just "music appreciation", in schools today is such a tragedy. Young people are growing up without exposure to the classics, and no, as great as they are, I don't mean the Eagles and Led Zeppelin. The music of Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, and all the rest used to be a great unifier of "western" culture, providing a common language beyond French and German and English that all could learn to understand and relate to. Today, most school kids don't seem to know anything beyond whatever niche trend they've downloading on iTunes.

I agree, Mikey. The arts are always the first to go, even though they may be most important.

J.B. I know exactly what you mean by a performer emanating a "light" or energizing the crowd. I did that a lot whenever I sang Mozart. Something about his soprano arias that just "fit" my voice, as if they were written for me. I spent years in classical music. Now, I'm in my mid thirties and find that I gravitate towards classic rock and old blues. Maybe it's because my parents were in a rock band for 25 years, or maybe it's because I will not accept the swill that is popular, as music. There are some bands that give me the "O" factor though. Muse, Phoenix, Evanescence, Paramore. All bands that don't need that ghastly autotune @!$%# in order to sing in tune, and hide their mediocre, borderline hideous voices! :P

Sounds like some Thetans need auditing Rick. Call Tom or Barbarino fast!

There are these things called periods, that you could use instead of commas, buddy. Did Dejah Thoris put you up to this?

If all those beliefs are not true anyway, then what do you have to worry about?

If they are ET installed beliefs, then what can you do about it?

Anyway, Handel's Messiah, Mozart's Requiem, some Vivaldi, Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (organ version), the soundtrack to the movie 'The Mission,'... Peer Gynt by Edvard Grieg

I will pray for you! Merry Christmas!

Why do you spend so much time composing a post that has nothing to do with the article you are posting on? Do you even listen to music?

Just curious

Once again Diane explains the the moral superiority and condescending side of faith.

Rick,

How do you know your right? What if you are wrong and you die? If Christians are wrong and the God of the Bible doesn't exist and they die, well then they die. But if the God of the Bible exists and the Bible is true and you die then you will face Him in judgment.

Thanks for the illumination, Rick -

Now I will go take a shower to wash off all those ET bugs! Phew...

Sir could you repeat that one more time well if what you say is true Rick Carter XLEagle1 that a belief system ie those who claim to be decendents of Abraham are beliving an end of sorts is tatamont and coming if it isnt true if its a fable why are you spending any time or thought on it i dont believe in a easter bunny santa clause as a one person deliverer of gifts to good children i dont belive in the tooth fairy either so i dont protest about it i dont try to get legislation passed i dont rally against it this forum was a on a study of music and the reaction or lack of action on the human body i think my recomdation for you is therapy why live in fear flee everything and run or face everything and rebound to freedom if other people belive in things that are not real to me i dont let anything take up space in my head that is not paying me rent to be there really people who are athesits spend millions on this crap and lifetimes on it too what a freakin waste of time and monetary resources get a life go help solve energy issues cure defects dieseases no wonder these groups do what they look at the focus look at the lack of compassion to each other cmon pull it together or fall apart

I believe we were talking about music not religion. But anyway I feel very sorry for you & will pray for you. Have a Merry Christmas!

XLEagle1: can we set that to music?

Rick, perhaps another layer tin foil might help?

Bold Protector, there are these amazing other keys; they're called punctuation, use them.

Wow. Just.....wow.

Bold Protector: >>>> Punctuation and Capitalization! , . ; : etc. Please.

Do you by any chance write those 20,000 word labels for the Dr. Bronner's skin-care products?

:)))))

I'm with you. From the time I was three or four years old, bagpipes made me cry (with sadness, wiseguys). Maybe it IS a hereditary thing. I have Scottish blood in my background. Anyway, the pipes always bring me to tears.

Bagpipes...yeah it's a Celtic thing. I cry at Danny Boy as well. Doesn't matter who is performing it.

Same here with "Scotland the Brave" on pipes

I've been told my paternal side had roots in Ireland, and I don't know if that has anything to do with this, but whenever I hear the ancient songs, sung in Gaelic, performed with authentic instruments and sung by angelic voices, I can close my eyes and be transported to Olde Eire....at least what I imagine it to be in my mind's eye. Absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful music!! In one minute, it'll have me crying....the next, I'm stepping it with a lively jig!

I know of no other ethnic music that moves me as much as Celtic music.

I'm essentially an atheist, but Amazing Grace on bagpipes gets me everytime.

I usually tear up big time on Amazing Grace, especially on the bagpipes.

Amazing Grace on bagpipes - sweet and sad. I'm not a christian or celtic, but grew up in Chicago where this was played at just about every police and firefighter's televised funeral procession. Chi-towners are very sentimental regarding their officers and firemen, and for me, the melody remains exquisitely haunting.

ditto - 0311 Corpsman

"Oh Holy Night" in French is devasting. "O How a Rose 'ere Blooming" and "Coventry Carol" also do it for me.

"O How a Rose 'ere Blooming" is not only beautifully chill-inducing, it brings me back to a magical Christmas with my family singing together in harmony around the piano before later events ruthlessly tore us apart. I have tears in my eyes just thinking of it. But I have not lost hope that we will sing that beautiful song again.

Other specifics for me include "Revelation Song," "O Holy Night," "Was It a Morning Like This?" "The Easter Song" (Keith Green and Glad versions), "Thankful Heart" (Petra), "Crazy Circles" (Bad Company), "It's All Mixed Up" (The Cars), Isn't It Time" (The Babys), "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (Is that the name?), "Fanfare for the Common Man," "Canon in D," "1812 Overture," "Beautiful" (from the movie King Kong-the modern version), and many others. Pretty eclectic, huh? One more: we learned a Chanukkah song to sing for a concert tomorrow night called Hine ma tov, and it gives me chills it is so beautiful.

"Lo, How a Rose", yes, "He Shall Feed His Flock" by Handel, "Variations on a Theme by Thomas Tallis" by Vaughan Williams, "Also Sprach Zarathustra" and so many others!