For the majority of artists out there I'd say NO. They seem to create better with misery...


But for Prince I'd say YES! When he is
happy with what he's able to accomplish
and get his ideals across then his music
is rejuvenated. Like in '93, '95, '96
and 2001.

I agree with ya... When I try to write something happy it sounds cheesy to me. Even when I'm in a good mood, my stuff tends to sound moody. Tori Amos wrote "Happy Phantom" which has a playful vibe to it.

Bono once commented on Bjork, saying she expresses so much ecstasy with her voice, and I would have to agree with that. I think it's easier to write from depression, because there is such a need to express at that point. If you're gonna write something positive, you'd better be REALLY feeling it or its gonna sound crappy.


As for the question in your profile:


I do!


And I love TTD and NIN as well!

origmnd said:

I think it's a bit too broad to say that though. Most recording artists have some sort of angst (just like a lot of people in general). Angst is not necessarily misery, or unhappiness, and it usually makes for good music. Misery can lead to great art (just like any other emotion), but many times it doesn't. I don't think most of the years of the 90s were a happy period for Prince professionally.

I guess what determines it is how a specific artist reacts to the misery. But I do think a lot of recording artists go through angst as opposed to misery when they create some of their best work.

Of course there are some exceptions to the rule because different people don't always channel the same emotions in the same way, and/or don't have the gift to. But from what I can construe, it seems (and sounds like) Prince has been happy for the past few years at least.
[This message was edited Wed Oct 23 11:09:36 PDT 2002 by Supernova]