Defined Quote by John K. Samson
“John Berger once defined music by saying that it began as a howl, became a prayer, then a lament, and still contains the elements of all three. I think that's pretty wise. That's about the only way I know how to explain what music is.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussing "Winter Wheat", 2006
Music evolves from primal sounds to complex emotions, embodying instinct, spirituality, and sorrow simultaneously.
In simple terms: Music blends howl, prayer, lament.
Key Takeaway
Listen for layered emotions in music.
Themes
art
emotion
history
expression
Mood
thoughtful
introspective
curious
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- concerts
- personal reflection
- creative writing
- therapy
Key Concepts
anthropology
psychology
musical theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What does music mean to you personally?
- How do different cultures interpret music’s stages?
A Different Perspective
Not all music fits this three‑stage model; some is purely instrumental.
![“The self is defined psychologically as the psychic totality of the individual. Anything that a [person] postulates as being a greater totality than [oneself] can become a symbol of the self. For this reason the symbol of the self is not always as total as the definition would require.” quote by Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/251/carl-jung-274_defined_the-self-is-defined-psychologically-as-t_7148.jpg)
