You don't have to understand the lyrics to enjoy the song!

According to long-standing sayings, both love and music are the universal language. I'd say both are true, as anyone can understand/appreciate what music and love are all about. Some might say that both love and music go together perfectly, with enjoyable elements from each side relating to the other. The two can make beautiful music together, shall we say?!

What in the hell does any of this have to do with anime, you ask? Well, it relates directly to my iTunes playlist. While a large majority of it is game music, there's also a healthy helping of anime tunes in there. Not a day goes by where I don't end up hearing at least one song from an anime. Without fail, the tracks always put a smile on my face...even when I have no idea what the singers are saying.

While there are a lot of instrumental tracks on anime soundtracks, there are also tunes that have singers belting their hearts out. This is where I tend to get ragged on. I have no idea what these singers are saying, and plenty of friends ask how I can listen to music when I have no idea what the singers are saying. Seems like a valid argument, no?

Actually, I'd have to say that it doesn't hold water. When it comes to music, there are many more elements than just understanding the lyrics. The music itself, as in, the tune being played by instruments, is an extremely important part. On top of that, you don't need to understand a language to hear the passion in a singer's voice. That comes through no matter what is being said. On top of all that, these anime tracks instantly bring me back to a scene in an anime, or to that anime in general. That makes for a great memory, and a rush of good feelings.

In my opinion, it doesn't matter one bit that I don't understand the lyrics. I can even sing along in my own backwards Japanese, sounding out words phonetically as I go along. I may be destroying the language as I sing along, but damnit, I'm having a fantastic time!