I love listening to music in foreign languages. I don't understand most of what is being said, and a wonderful friend of mine has even agreed to translate a couple of songs for me that I really like, because I'm curious as to what they mean.
Most of the time I just like to listen to music for the vlice and the sound of the music itsself, not necessarily for the words. Howewver, when I find songs that I really really really like, then I'll ask someone to translate them for me.
Do you like listening to music in languages that you may not understand? Why or why not? What languages do you prefer? Those who know me know that I really like Croatian, Serbian, Russian, and German music.
[question posted by danishcanadian]
responses and comments:
I think the music is without the border. I like listening to foreign songs. Mainly I listen to English songs, and sometimes I will listen to French, Japanese songs and so on. As long as the melody is nice, I don't care about whether I can understand its language or not. I love China [youless]
Are you chinese? I am chinese. I like American songs. sometimes I listen to Russian songs. Apart from a few words, I don't know any Russian at all. but these songs often effect a change of my emotion even though i don't understand the meaning. [Lindsay2009]
I think that Italian is a wonderful language to hear when listening to music. I never was normally an opera fan, but there are some arias Pavarotti used to sing that almost turned me into one. Spanish, particularly in Latin American music, also has an attraction for me. [astonysh]
As long as the music sounds good and soul-touching, it doesnot matter what language it is been sung.I have enjoyed listening to indonesian,turkish,russian songs , though i did not understand a single word in the lyrics.I generally prefer english songs as it is easier to understand the lyrics.But then as someone said, Music has no bounds, no country, no language.Thanks! [UltimateAsoka]
Dear UltimateAsoka, You are absolutely right I totally agree with you..as long as the music sounds good and soul touching...our soul can appreciate it no matter what language it is! I used to ON Korean songs - Karaoke version and sing along with it. I can sing it but I really do not know what it meant except those popularly common words that they repeat at the chorus like 'sarang-er' ` which mean lovehappy Thanks and do keep in touch! [Iriene88]
Hi danishcanadian, I love music..be it English, Malay, Indian, Hindi, Indonesian, Latin, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin...I love them allwub Music is the most wonderful thing on earth, it fills our soul, it had 'no boundaries - Chris Allen', it is universal like 'Jaiho' - Hindi (movie- Slumdog Millionaire)..everyone can enjoy and appreciate it :) I still remember when I was very young, I follow a local tour to Penang, while on the bus, we take turn to sing as the travelling journey is very long~ 5 hours. So, I took the mike and sing a Hindi song, great song, I can pronounced it but I know nothing about its meaning...lol When I mop the floor at home, I will on Latin American song and Arab song and mop and swing along...that is really fun! [Iriene88]
Dear agv, Totally agree with you...those songs with wonderful melody and of upbeat, it really capture the listeners heart no matter where...it can be appreciated and at times we can even sing its chorus without knowing what it means..lol The famous Philippines song 'Anak' was so popular that it has been translated to Mandarin, English and Bahasa Malaysia. I love this song very much...2 thumbs up for the Philippines The legendary musician from Japan ' Kitaro ' music have travels the world and played at many restaurants and cafes, isn't it amazing! Thanks for your comments, truly hope to hear from you on my latest topic too! Do keep in touch & happy myLotting :) [Iriene88]
I studied Japanese all the way through high school & at uni & I love listening to Japanese pop music & the older stuff too...I even have an Album by Kyu Sakamoto - alot of people will know him in the western world for his hit Sukiyaki. [moonchild1au]
Yes I listen to foreign music,especially English,but also in languages I don't understand.I guess the lyrics aren't so important, and I like to guess the subject of the song then confront it with someone who knows that language. [emperoroverlord]
I love music. I really ejoy it in every language. Most of the time I'm listening to English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Indonesian, and a little bit of Latin. It doesn't matter I don't understand a single word of the language. As long as it can make me sing along or maybe nod my head or even jump around. I just love music very much. [bluedandelion]
I love greek, italian, french, indian, spanish and tagaloc songs. [Mirita]
Yeah I do the same. Me & my sister loves S.H.E so much a group of Taiwanese girls,They had very lovely voice & we love their harmony & they are pretty too. We don't understand the lyrics though.. I listen to their songs everyday. We use online translation, sometimes online translation gives headache. =p I still listen to English songs. I like Mariah Carey, A1 boyband though they're gone now. And other Inspirational & love songs. [elieella]
I love to hear The Gypsy Kings.They sing in either Spanish or French I can't remember which .anyway I love their songs and I don't know any of the words .It is the emotion I hear in their voices and the music is what I love. [sarahruthbeth22]
Oh yes i do like one song its in a foreign language which i dont understand, its a spanish song by andy and lucas the song is named as- son de amores " its my favorite song though i hardly understand it. [Archie0]
I love listening to french music. And ukranian music. [deathspectacular]
Volare by Gipsy Kings, I think that's a good music, really...!! and then, may be Germany Music can be intreasting or English (because I am Indonesian) [zanragtg]
Yes, I like to listen to music in foreign languages. Most of the music that i like is because of the sound, the lyrics comes second. Sometimes i browse the lyrics so i can sing along, and to feel the artist's emotion [ripper777]
I listen to foreign music sometimes. I can understand the German stuff. Other things I've picked up randomly for one reason or another, either because I've heard it played or I like the artist or something. [dawnald]
I enjoy listening to foreign music also :). I love great lyrics in songs, so when there is a melodic song with questionable lyrics ,it really puts me off. With foreign music you cant understand the lyrics and therefore can get put off by them :). I love spanish and german bands, and also japanese bands. Listen to Asian Kung Fu Generation! They are great. [requital]
i liek to listen to music in foreign languages. listening to it hes a different sensation than from the music i normally listen to. it allow makes me appreciate other languages even though sometimes i dont understand what they are saying immediately. that is usually when i will search it up online or ask someone who might know [KupoSin]
I speak relatively good French and Spanish so I like to hear songs in those languages, I like it for instance when one of my favourite artists records one of their biggest tracks in Spanish as I feel it makes for a better song than French but French can still be good to listen to like some of Celine Dion's stuff. [lakerfanster]
Quite often, yes. I like the Medieval Baebes who are a British group who play and sing ancient, (which is to say anything from the 13th - 16th centuries) They sing in Latin and several varieties of English and French. If you want to know more about them, just Google them - they have a website and are doing a US tour this year. You'll find details of that on the website. [jwfarrimond]
I like some music in other languages. My kids like Lorie, she's French and pop sounding, I like her to, it gave my kids a chance to learn a song in French. It was amazing how fast they picked it up. I also like Ricardo Montaner, he is Spanish and very popular in Spain. I found his CD while taking a walk and I've had it ever since, that was about 10 years ago. I know you like Croatian music, I haven't heard any but I might have to give it a go. [gitfiddleplayer]
Yes I do enjoy listeneing to songs from foreign languages that I do not understand. Sometimes the music is so beautiful that the lyrics do not matter much. I have listened to songs from many Indian languages that I do not understand. Also I like listening to Arabic and French songs. Listening to French songs has inspired me to learn French language actually. [g_vickie84]
I really like listening to music of a different culture or country. I just really follow the rhythms and beats of the music/song. I don't care if I don't understand what they are singing about. I have problems understanding the lyrics of songs sung in English. lol. [nijolechu]
I really don't. I like to be able to understand what I am listening to. [lhsy2k]
I love listening to songs of any language, provided the songs are good. To me its the Music that matters rather than wordings. Wordings gives an added advantage to the songs. [taztheone]
Yeah, I do, it's very interesting and I end up picking up on choruses and then singing it. Sometimes I have to realise am I singing something naughty or not, overall I enjoy the music and I find out things about myself that I want to learn that language, but it gives me a chance to experience some of their music and culture and stuff. =) [LairOfMetal]
ya, i can enjoy do that, even i don't know he meaning of the lyrics. the important thing for me is, it has easy listening music. i like english song and indian song [maysya]
Not really i don't like listening to foreign music, but there is this one fillipino song that i like and it sounds crazy, i listen to it at youtube. [bigplay]
I love Spanish music and Uzbek music. [bluehibiscus]
I like to listen to music which I understand. If its instrumental music than it does not matter from what country or what culture the music is, I just enjoy that. But if there are words in the music than I have to understand it to enjoy. I like Indian music. [sweetlady10]
I do listen to spanish songs, because I have been trying to learn that language for some time now. But you have kindled my interest in listening tro songs from different languages, especially croatian. I had once listened to an eritrian song on the net. Hey, I speak two Indian languages Hindi and Kannada. If you want any translations or a list of good songs I will be glad to help you. [loudcry]
I love listening to music to some foreign languages as long it has a good tune and catchy beat. Examples are korean, spanish, french and japanese. But after I listened to it, I also search for its translation to my native tongue or to English language. I want to sure that the song lyrics that i was singing or listening is interesting, jive to my moods, and has a good message to everybody. Messages about life, love, unity, youth and triumphs. But now i'm really into Korean songs.. their songs were really melodic and full of love because some of them are connected to their korea drama series or movies. Discovering and trying other foreign songs are a learning experience regarding their culture, emotions and belief. [jrwstrionic]
I enjoy listening in foreign languages song, like korean, Spanish, Chinese and other language, if it is promoted in telenovela or as a theme song of the movie. because it is more fun listening on it, and it easy to follow. [Preciousgem]
Yeah, I enjoyed foreign music because they have a nice rhythm.. Usually I searched what is the english translations of the songs to know what is really the meaning of it... [joannaleed]
Yes I do. I enjoy Korean music aka KPop. I am also like you , I like the rhytm. Eventhough I don't understand the lyrics, I still like the song because of the tune and rhythm of it. My favorite now are Nobody by the Wonder Girls and Sorry Sorry by Super Junior. I don't understand the song because I am a Filipino,but because that is a dance hit songs, it became hit here in our country. Most of the Filipinos admire KPOP with their music. [grecychunny26]
Oh yes, especially French, which I find so romantic and Portuguese, as it is similar to Spanish, although I can't understand every word. But that doesn't matter, as I have my own version of the songs I hear and I still enjoy the music! [sylvia13]
I enjoy all genres of music, in all languages.It is the music itself I tend to listen too, and I like many orchestrations. I do listen to some lyrics and there are times, when I can buy a copy of music to play on the piano, there are lyrics written on it in two languages. Because I am in the UK, this tends to be in the original language the song was sung in and the English translation. happy - Derek [derek_a]
I don't always understand the words of some of the songs anyway even when they are in English!! LOL But I do enjoy so many different music genres. There are some songs that I like that are in Spanish which I have the most exposure to. And I can even sing along with some of them too at this point! And I do that same thing too that you do, when I like a song, I look up the words online for the translation so I'll know what they mean. [horsesrule]
Tell me this isn't one of the best songs You've heard in ANY Language! happy (not to mention the Fun everyone featured seems to be having!lol) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY [ShepherdSpy]
I listen to all kind of music because music has no language. It does not bother me if the lyrics are in another language. [whiteheather39]
I like chinese music,and i listen english music ,too. at the beginning,i listen english music just for improving my english listening level.slowly,i like it on matter i know the meanings or not. [fanxiangqian]
Yes, music is the international language of love and of understanding. I may not know the lyrics in another language but I do enjoy the music. So, when I hear French music, my heart goes all out to appreciate the way it is sung. Similarly I love to hear the Indians sing their melodic love songs. Music, as Shakespeare said, is the food of love. So play on, says the Bard. [jonjee0203]
Yes, i do. I love african music. Many times it is not in english. The beat is great and the tone of voice is great with it. [jdyrj777]
So far I've only listened to Josh Groban sing in foreign languages, I could listen to him all day (sigh). I haven't heard any music in anything other than Spanish or Italian. Where can I hear other language music online? [tcup345]
I do not know what to say because I listen only in my language and english music. Very rare that I heard korean and chinese music through tv mini-series but they are good, too. [olepmis]
I don't listen to it very often, but I do like some songs in other languages, mostly Spanish. I haven't really heard music in any other languages. [Bd200789]
I enjoy music in other languages especially if the tune is good. It would help to know what the lyrics mean. Music they say is the universal language. As long as the music sounds good, I enjoy it. [in4net6rix]
oh yes i like those i also love italian music. Dean Martin was always ONE of my favorite singers and he used a lot of italian songs. so romanticwub i love india music also its erotic sounding. but not mexicansad its so repetitive and the beat is usually the same. sorry. thats a shame on me tho, because 2 of my grandkids are part mexican. lol. [bunnybon7]
I often listen to music in foreign languages. I think it is interesting to listen to music in languages that I don't understand, and sometimes I start singing along even though I don't know what I am singing lol I am very curious, and I enjoy listening to music from other countries, it is a way to get to know those countries a little bit better. I have have never listened to Serbian or Croatian music, but I often listen to Russian music. I don't understand much of the words, but some of the songs are really beautiful. I epecially like the songs by Zemfira. In addition to Russian music I have listened to music from Japan, China, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, the Czech republic, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland and Greece. [Porcospino]
I like listening to some Spanish music, which I understand some of and I also like some Hindi and Indian music, which I don't understand any of. [NikkiLuvsAlex]
i like listening to musics in foreign languages, mostly cause its tune, i dont care what the lyric is. such as some korean, french, and other language songs. in fact, i even also dont know what some english songs mean first, but the more i listen to them, the more i'll know.wink while when listening to native songs, always influenced by the meaning of the songs, not the tune. confused [yolanda19191]
Hi danishcanadianhappy Yes, I like to hear it! For me, as long as I like the melody, it doesn't matter they sung in what language! Sometimes, I like the song just because the language sounds fun,,and it makes me wanna know what's the meaning. I usually search it in the internet and translate it if I really curious. Yesterday was the end of my orientation week in college and my seniors ask me to memorize a song that sang in foreign language. Seems like it's Latin language,,I don't know and don't search about it, because the translation already available in my orientation book. Seems like that song a must-sang song in most of college in my country. The title is "Gaudeamus igitur" Do you know that? I like hear Japanese language, English and Spanish languagelol But as long as the melody interesting, I love it! [ChrysanTflower]
No... Actually yes... I love Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, Bach, etc [K46620]
I have heard some of the foreign language music. I really did not care too much for it since I could not understand what was being said in them. I like some of the music without the words being sang though. [stephcjh]
I do. I love listening to music in Japanese and Korean. I don't know what they are saying but I love it and I look up the translations later. Listening to music in other languages make us learn more about other people from different cultures which I think is cool. Everyone should be able to learn about different cultures and respect them as well. [ayumitakashi]
I have a Buddha Bar album which features songs in Pakistan language (i guess). I don't understand a single word of it but I really like the melody. It's some kind of a mixed jazz / bosa nova / restaurant-bar music. Anyway, buddha bar is a genre itself :) I also have some songs from Enya which some of it is English but most is of a different language (Irish, i think). I also have bosa nova music from Astrud Gilberto (Brazilian). I like the sound of their voices and the music itself so I really don't mind if I don't understand the language. I'm sure they're not using profanities in it :) lol. [veronizm]
Hello friend. I enjoy listening to music in foreign languages though I don't understand its content. I love a song for it beautiful melody. I love to listen to Japanese songs and Korean songs as they are often heard on TV series in China. Also I love to listen to Indian songs and music. They sound very beautiful to me. I listened to a lot of them when Ezihippo was available, but no more. I used to listen to a lot Indian songs and music from the site, but it is a pity that it has vanished because I cannot log in any more. [williamjisir]
Hi danish, I enjoy listening to music. Yeah, I love all kind of music as long as it suits my taste. It doesn't matter the music is in whatever language. I'm always attracted by the melody as well as the rhythm of the song. If I really come across any melodious music I would try to get that music and save it in my pc. I like enjoying to listen to the new song when surfing net happy It's so pleasant to hum the lovely melody of music even if I don't understand the language of it. Though I don't understand the foreign languages of some of the songs I love, I still enjoy listening to them every now and then From the voice, emotion and sentiment performing in the music, I could imagine what the singer tries to represent in the song. If I could I would like to get the lyrics of it with translation. I love the foreign music from some of the Asian countries. Happy posting happy [lkbooi]
hi!^^ i also enjoy listening to music in foreign languages. i like the Japanese pop, Korean pop, and Taiwanese pop. most of the time, when i really like a song, i would search for its lyrics in the internet and memorize it. ^^ and i've become a fan of some of the foreign artists whose songs i really loved and i've continued to follow their career. ^^ [secretbear]
Music has no language. It needs a receptive heart and mind. [harshadod]
hi there, Yea, most of the songs that I love to heard are foreign language songs, mainly are english songs, sometimes I also put some korean and japanese songs in my play list. [Elaine77]