Would You Put Your Hand On The Book

The Make Up “Joy of Sound”

I have used this song to open dozens of mix tapes and CDs over the years, mainly for musical reasons – the audience fade-in and ecstatic energy of it just feel like the beginning of something very exciting – but also thematic, as the lyrics openly delight in the glory of music. As with most songs sung by Ian Svenonius, there’s a thin line separating the hyperbolic humor and irony of his over-the-top performance and a dead serious belief in the core of what he’s saying. “Joy of Sound” isn’t merely an expression of “hey, I like music.” That is a boring and lame thing to say. He’s really talking about social codes, and asking if you’re willing to fully throw yourself into this music. He’s inviting you to truly experience this music with other people, and to let it push toward a greater connection, maybe a greater good. It’s intensely idealistic, so you’re going to have to be honest: Do you swear to tell the whole truth, and nothing but, so help you God? Would you put your hand on the book and take that vow right now?

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