In Orbit

It happens to me every now and then. I don't know if it happens to you, but you'll know what I mean. Every so often, I'll hear a song. It could be any song, or a piece of music. Something about it, something deep, grabs hold of me, and I'll become addicted to it. I won't be able to stop listening to it, then I'll start thinking about it, identifying with it... It's not unhealthy and it's not an obsession. I sort of go into orbit around it. I just, I suppose, fall in love with it.

Here is the latest example. You've probably heard something by Moby somewhere at some point in your life, even if you don't recognise it. I hadn't listened to Moby in a good many years, but then late last year, I noted that his new album was out. I really liked the artwork. And that was it for the next few months. Completely by chance, I stumbled upon this video on Play.com on their listing for that album with the artwork I liked so much. The track is called Pale Horses. For some reason, I've fallen in love with it.

It could be the incredibly mellow tone of the music, the build up of strings in the middle section, the minor chords, the simplicity of it. I think the video was a major factor, though. Look at that little chap. He's known as Little Idiot, which is a bit of an unfortunate moniker I reckon, because whenever he pops up in Moby's work, he always seems so hopeful, yet still gets the short straw. I think I identify with him in the video. There's an optimism in his fantasies, an optimism made sad and mellancholy by the music. I find that there's something very powerful about a sense of optimism in a seemingly hopeless time. It's brave to keep your horizons high when the world is so low. I think it's also those minor escape from his lonliness he has that get me, too. I classify myself as a very lonely person, even though I'm surrounded in many ways by many wonderful people. I suppose that's a bit selfish in a way, but it can be helpful in that it gives me inspiration with my own work. Ideas that would never have come in a different mood.

I think you get the idea. I've gone on enough, so here's the video. Maybe you'll find what I found in it, maybe you won't. Who knows? One thing is certain: something will. Some time down the line, I guarantee, you will find something that has a unique effect on you, and it'll be wonderful. It'll be brilliant. And the sad thing is, it's a high probability that everyone else won't understand, and you won't be able to share that wonderful thing. So savour it. Hold it. Make it your own.

Sweet dreams, friends.