If only.... what if.... :(

Was stretched and chilling out on sofa this morning, letting the mind wander while listening to Pekka Streng & Tasavallan Presidentti: Magneettimiehen Kuolema from 1970. 

^^ Yeah, one's native language is usually the language of the heart, so I find that singers sound way more inspired when singing in their tongue instead of "forcing" themselves to sing in English.

I will sound contradictory, but I prefer singing in English than in my native language, Spanish. The reason for it is that I find the vowel sounds in Spanish very limited and restrictive. We only have 5 vowel sounds, while in English each vowel has at least two different sounds. And I think some languages have even more sounds. To me that gives more variety, flexibility and possibilities to a singer.

I also prefer bands singing in their native languages rather than english... I find it much more interesting, even if I don't understand the lyrics. RPI in particular I am tempted to dismiss songs / albums if they are not sung in italian.

Dellinger wrote: judahbenkenobi wrote: ^^ Yeah, one's native language is usually the language of the heart, so I find that singers sound way more inspired when singing in their tongue instead of "forcing" themselves to sing in English. I will sound contradictory, but I prefer singing in English than in my native language, Spanish. The reason for it is that I find the vowel sounds in Spanish very limited and restrictive. We only have 5 vowel sounds, while in English each vowel has at least two different sounds. And I think some languages have even more sounds. To me that gives more variety, flexibility and possibilities to a singer. My native language is also spanish, and I sort of understand what you're saying. For me it's particularly with pop, for some reason it almost always just sounds terrible in spanish, even if I do like a good deal of it in english (even the songs that I like in their english versions, they just sound cheap to me in spanish). However, I do find rockier songs sound just fine in spanish.

I know! For example: "Todo lo que hago / Lo hago poooor ti" - Bryan Adams

Or: "Como yo, nadie te ha amado" - Bon Jovi

Frenetic Zetetic wrote: Great thread, OP! Topics like this really break down the abstraction of music, almost philosophically in a way, which of course I dig LOL. Gloassalalia! Speaking in tongues! It might as well be Greek, but you know there's something being said; the syncopation and rhythm takes you and that's the only language you need to know!  I think half the reason PFM clicks for me is that Italian just flows, especially in 70's golden era symphonic prog lol.

They say Italian is the language for music, as English the language for business, French the language for love, and Spanish the language to talk to God

Sadly, I've only heard Per Un Amico, so I'm not an expert on that area. But the vocals there really got that flow you speak of.

Dellinger wrote: judahbenkenobi wrote: ^^ Yeah, one's native language is usually the language of the heart, so I find that singers sound way more inspired when singing in their tongue instead of "forcing" themselves to sing in English. I will sound contradictory, but I prefer singing in English than in my native language, Spanish. The reason for it is that I find the vowel sounds in Spanish very limited and restrictive. We only have 5 vowel sounds, while in English each vowel has at least two different sounds. And I think some languages have even more sounds. To me that gives more variety, flexibility and possibilities to a singer. My native language is also spanish, and I sort of understand what you're saying. For me it's particularly with pop, for some reason it almost always just sounds terrible in spanish, even if I do like a good deal of it in english (even the songs that I like in their english versions, they just sound cheap to me in spanish). However, I do find rockier songs sound just fine in spanish.

Psychedelic Paul wrote: One of my favourite Symphonic Metal bands is Nightwish, but I doubt if I'd like them quite as much if they sung  in their native Finnish language. Anyway, "<span lang="fi">Kiitos" for this thread. </span>

I love Nightwish too! They have a couple of songs in Finnish on an album or two, but I can't recall which. That must be because they're not among their best songs.

Psychedelic Paul wrote: judahbenkenobi wrote: Psychedelic Paul wrote: One of my favourite Symphonic Metal bands is Nightwish, but I doubt if I'd like them quite as much if they sung  in their native Finnish language. Anyway, "Kiitos" for this thread. I love Nightwish too! They have a couple of songs in Finnish on an album or two, but I can't recall which. That must be because they're not among their best songs.   The longest song by Nightwish is also my favourite song by Nightwish, and I'm Floored by this amazing live performance.    Ghost Love Score  (New version with Floor Jansen)

Thanks! I just listened to the new version back to back with the older one. I love both vocalists. Floor is a bit more versatile than Tarja, but I still love both equally. And both performances are astonishing to me. The band hasn't lost a bit of energy or inspiration. Amazing band!