When I'm driving and I hear a song I like, I sing (or shout) along and usually headbang my way through traffic. I found out today, though, that I have trouble doing this around people I don't know - such as at a concert. I sit back and watch all the people with beer in them sing along instead.

I think it's not just the beer. When I listen to music I like, I feel an emotional connection. Depending on the content of the song, I can have very deep feelings about its message. I think this is why I don't want to shout along in public - the emotions the song may evoke in me are very personal.

These thoughts make me wonder about the artists themselves. Do they truly feel strongly about the music they've written? If they do, how is it so easy to open up to any stranger who will listen? Maybe that's just easier for some people than others. (Or maybe some "artists," like Britney Spears, etc., just produce populist crap so they can make money).

I now have a new respet for artists of any kind. It's one thing to write music, poetry, or short stories, but it's much more difficult to share it with strangers. At the same time, though, I have no less respect for the people that may sit alone in a room and write the most beautiful music or poetry, but never share it. These people aren't necessarily scared, it's just that the emotions they feel are too personal to release upon the world.