(Credits: Far Out / Apple Music)
The reason people love music so much varies, but one of the prevailing points of rationale is escapism.
When Jerry Garcia was talking about the Grateful Dead, he was asked why he thinks the band continues to gain popularity, and he said he thinks a lot of people listening will be pining for the simplicity of the ‘60s. While it was a decade that still had its problems, there is certainly some truth in the fact that things were slightly easier, and a lot of people listen to the music of that time in order to feel like they’re back there.
When Garcia was asked what a lot of younger people likely think of the ‘60s, he said he believes they will likely have “The feeling they might have missed out on some fun”.
The Grateful Dead frontman continued, “Yeah, it’s possible, it’s a grimmer world.”
Of course, music’s not just about escaping to another time or place. People throw on tunes for all sorts of reasons, but one of the most common has to be that simple feel-good factor. Sometimes it’s just down to loving the sound, other times it’s because a song takes you back to a happier moment. Whatever the reason, when life feels a bit bleak, plenty of people turn to music to give themselves a lift.
One artist who turns to music for a bit of a lift is Carlos Santana. As one of the most versatile and electrifying guitarists around, his own tunes offer that exact escape for loads of people – the kind you stick on when you need a bit of a boost. But when Santana’s after the same sort of pick-me-up, he doesn’t whack on his own records. Instead, he turns to one band in particular – and the choice might just catch you off guard.
“When I close my eyes and I play, I always think of The Doors, which is one of my favourite bands,” said Santana when talking about the band and how the music that was made in the ‘60s can still be heard in the modern age, “I love The Doors more than anyone or anything.”
Santana went on to call them the ultimate garage band and speculated that they were likely big fans of Akbar Khan and Ravi Shankar. These various influences are what played a part in Santana becoming a fan. Given he spent the majority of his career celebrating the versatility within music, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he likes music which does something similar.
He finished his adoration for the band by landing them with the hefty claim that they could make the world a better place. While this may seem somewhat optimistic, given so many of us turn to music for escapism, maybe all it does take to make the world a better place is a great band making great music.
“Yes, absolutely,” said Santana when asked if music can improve the world, “If they played more music by The Doors or John Coltrane in elevators, shopping malls, radio. Music reminds people that we are divine. No matter what your mind says or what the media says. A ‘media mind’ is not necessarily good for you. Sometimes you turn off the TV and you can hear the clouds moving, the birds chirping, children laughing.”
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