Just finished watching what may one day become a classic piece of television history.
On tonight’s Colbert Report, Stephen interviewed Brian Eno and later honored surprise guest Michael Stipe with a “permanent” placement on his rock and roll mantel. He then asked Eno back onstage and the trio launched into an a capella rendition of Lean On Me. At first it seemed cute, and ironic. But it became clear as they went on that there was no irony.
In three-part harmony, two rock stars and a comedian sang their hearts out and for a few minutes I felt that I was witnessing a golden moment in television. It’s not that the performance itself was breathtaking. But the simple unadulterated joy of three men singing together for no reason except, perhaps, that it made their hearts glad, reminded me of how rarely we do anything without defense mechanisms.
I feel even Colbert and Jon Stewart (who seemed equally subdued tonight in relation to the Penn State scandal) must yearn for some sincerity in the vapid world they dissect for our amusement. And I like to think tonight’s performance on Colbert was a protest against the dying of sincerity.
Perhaps I am projecting all these intentions behind the event, but I silently cheered for humanity. Who wouldn’t like to let their guard down for once and sing their heart out?
(click the link below, in the black bar, for the video)
Singing- particularly for free, when the moment strikes you, is one of the most honest and sincere things I think human beings are capable of doing. Not that there aren’t singers who get paid, who also sing with a purity of intention. But anybody can sing- it might not be great- but if the honest intention is there- it’s a beautiful expression of honest emotion.
Agreed. And I’d even say that anything done with presence and sincerity – from making a cup of tea, to jogging your first mile, to having a much-delayed conversation – has the capacity to be beautiful.
Even when the message is fierce. Even when the answer is “no”.
I couldn’t agree more. I’m very big on intention. If you’re intention is pure, then 9 times out of 10, I’m going to dig what it is you are trying to express. A counter to that would be the subjectivity of intention. And that’s true. I’m sure Hitler’s intention, in his own mind, was pure, so it can be argued that not everything done with pure intentions, is good. That’s an extreme example obviously, but kind of an interesting idea to explore.
Oh, and that was my “anonymous” comment that you originally responded to, regarding singing. Sorry- I thought I was signed in but apparently not.
Thanks!
I figured that was you! I think you were my first “customer”!
I agree with you and I guess by “purity” you could say, a humility and respect for truth, wherever it may lead. I think people lead themselves (and others) astray, when they allow themselves to be taken by attachment to their preconceived ideas and, especially, emotions.
When emotions get involved, it is a double-edge sword. They can move us to do great or horrible things. Someone like Hitler was blinded by his passion, just as many Germans were blinded by patriotic zeal. I have always disdained “crowd” mentality for that reason. It sometimes leads to the most despicable outcomes.
It’s hard enough to make good decisions when we are blinded by our own emotions, much less the collective emotions of the larger group.
Gosto particularmente deste post. Muito bem! (posso dizê-lo a cantar:))
Joana