# 128 SINGING AND KISSING IN THE DARK

Why do we kiss with our eyes shut? Because it’s just better that way. Allows us to saturate our souls with the moment, with that special touch without visual distractions that would damage a part of it. Wouldn’t you say?

Now hold that thought while I switch to quite another discussion seemingly totally unrelated. A discussion of “American Idol” performers last night. Last night was ‘Stevie Wonder Night’ and something happened that wasn’t good.

Now I’m no music critic but I do know that Wonder’s music is phenomenal stuff. Music that is expressive, spell-binding, catchy, bouncy, with unexpected ballad accents, and an abundance of soul. But I’m inclined to think the level of extraordinary talent and power Wonder gives to his music stems from more than his creative genius. It also stems from his blindness. His music was created in a tight space, in a kind of solitary confinement, without sight, without taste, with only hearing sharply honed to pitch and rhythm. It is music performed with a clarity and conviction that people with sight can’t hope to realize.

So, to my mind, it was unfair to expect American Idol contestants to sing Wonder songs while literally drowning in the visual sludge of cameras, lights, and people?
I think that’s why last night’s performances were so dismal.

If you think this is a bunch of nonsense I have to ask. Have you ever listened to music with your eyes shut? Really listened. If you have, you know about the extra dimensions of sound that you will hear. And while we’re on this topic, if you have never kissed anyone with your eyes shut, you better try that as well.

P.S. There are some that can describe the listening-in-the-dark music dimension I am referring to far more aptly than I. And here is one of them. Give this a quick read. I promise you will truly enjoy it.