I think it's very edifying  to see you asking questions like this in a true spirit of humility, Amiga. It's a pleasure to share thoughts with you.

As for the songs you're into, I would say there's nothing wrong with them. They're cute songs. I know that sappy love lyrics can sometimes be considered quite secular but many words to famous opera arias and dittys are similar in tone. As long as there's nothing sɛҳuąƖ in the lyrics there's no problem.

I had to rethink my music collection a couple years back as it was somewhat hardcore and inappropriate. I figured it wasn't good when I wouldn't let my kid brothers listen to the stuff i was into. I was told in confession (because I asked) that i probably shouldn't be listening to all the hardcore stuff I liked so (begrudgingly, I admit) I started going through my stuff and taking out bits here and there.

I like what would be generally known as "classical" music more than most pop music anyways, I prefer going to a really good concert than a gig.

One thing I often wondered is how far music can have a physical effect on us. I used to be into a lot of industrial metal (and still love it, but don't buy it) and I think an investigation into the effect of it upon the emotions and the body could be interesting. Check out these kids at a Rammstein gig (I was going to go to one of theirs, but missed it due to exams) In retrospect i'm glad I didn't go, because I think the atmosphere seems a tad unsavory. Aside from the music (which most people will think is rubbish, anyways, and probably demonic, which I don't disagree with, so don't waste time telling me how rotten it is please anyone...) it's unsettling to see its effect on the crowd. All the horn-throwing etc. While the main singer guy is ridiculous and rather unintentionally funny, with his silly little nαzι goosestepping etc,the atmosphere nevertheless seems very unGodly. I think, for myself at least, that I could appreciate the beauty of music and God's gift of it in at the Proms, but most certainly not here. That, for me, is the deciding factor.

Edit: please don't follow on the links to watch any other of their vids. Some are quite disgusting. I chose this one as an example of how the music, while not accompanied by anything directly immoral, can project an impression of something unsavory nonetheless.

Gregorian chant is certainly uplifting. I know of two people (one now no longer on this mortal world) who said that they liked to listen to it because it was soothing to them when they were troubled or upset.

I'm a big fan of the Te Deum, myself. ^_^

But as for worldly music... well, I can't afford much, but about/nearly half (I think) of my music is just instrumental, which I sometimes write to precisely because it has an emotional effect which can assist me in getting into the roles I'm writing at the time.

I don't think that music that clearly moves the emotions is necessarily evil. But we must recognize that music often does so, and  I think we all ought to be mindful and careful to ask ourselves what kind of emotions are being stirred up by what we're listening to, and whether those emotions are good to have stirred up. Lust isn't the only bad in music. Music that greatly draws out melancholy or depressed feelings can lead one to wallow in sadness about their problems and circuмstances, which is certainly not good for any of us.

Emotion often influences our reason, even if it should be the other way around. I think guarding ourselves against the wrong kinds of emotion(al stimulation), not just the wrong kinds of lyrics, is also important. Is a song good for us if it makes us depressed or sad for no reason at all? I'd say probably not.

I also have an addiction to Japanese pop... but that's faded greatly since most of the groups I liked (which started out more or less harmless) had their lyrics decline into the moral gutter. I haven't the funds to know whether or not any of them climbed back out of it yet. (Not terribly likely.) But that's an interest that has all kinds of problems. Which is too bad, because I get a kick out of singing all those interesting lyrics in really bad English. lol

I dare say that the artists themselves are often as much of a problem as the music, for those who ever look at them (eg, those who go to concerts or purchase videos).

But I don't listen to much music anymore, outside of the car.

I don't know any of the music you've listed, so I can't comment on the individual titles or even the sort of music in general.

However, this is well said and worth reading again:

I don't think that music that clearly moves the emotions is necessarily evil. But we must recognize that music often does so, and  I think we all ought to be mindful and careful to ask ourselves what kind of emotions are being stirred up by what we're listening to, and whether those emotions are good to have stirred up. Lust isn't the only bad in music. Music that greatly draws out melancholy or depressed feelings can lead one to wallow in sadness about their problems and circuмstances, which is certainly not good for any of us.

Emotion often influences our reason, even if it should be the other way around. I think guarding ourselves against the wrong kinds of emotion(al stimulation), not just the wrong kinds of lyrics, is also important. Is a song good for us if it makes us depressed or sad for no reason at all? I'd say probably not.

I've never been "into" anything that anyone outside a good Catholic mindset would consider bad, but have been overly influenced by the emotional side of music. For example, if I was feeling lonely, I'd listen to songs which spoke of that and made me all the worse. Consequently, I was more inclined to make bad decisions on who I spent time with in an effort simply to squash the loneliness.

I'd also add that the more music you have in your head (that you can recite without the accompaning CD), the more you'll be influenced by those songs perhaps at the worst of times. An example of this would be, say, you're in a relationship and want to keep a level head and not be overly influenced by emotion, so you put aside your collection of love songs for awhile. But, you still have those songs running through your head and popping up every time you think of that wonderful person you're interested in courting. Your intentions are good, but you've set yourself up to be influenced by the music long before you (wisely) decide to put them aside.

Following the same concept, the more good, Catholic music you have memorized, the better! Why wait until Mass to have music stir your soul and lead you to offer praise to God?

There is nothing neutral in the spiritual life.

There are, however, many actions which are, in themselves, indifferent.  

For example, if I am out for a walk, all depends upon my intention (actual and/or habitual).  I could be going to murder my neighbor, or simply giving my body some healthy recreation (which may or may not be meritorious, depending upon whether I am in a state of grace).  The act of shooting a man could be murder, self defense, or I could kill him by mistake (perhaps I am hunting and mistake him for a deer, etc.).

Much in life is, in itself, indifferent.  The motive determines the morality in many cases.

Most people make the mistake of listening to "blue music" when they are already blue.  DO NOT DO SO. ...Music imitates the emotions, that is why most are emotionally attached to music that they know in their heart is not good.

I'd say the farther away from worldly music we can get, the better. I will back it up by saying, that the less we play into our own emotions, and rather mortify them, the more room there is for God there.

True enough, I've experienced all these.

If I had to estimate, I'll bet I've thrown away some hundreds of dollars worth of bad books, movies and cds. (I would often "buy to try" so that was quite a bit.

It does get a bit frustrating when you buy something and then have to throw it out! Books is probably my largest expenditure, it's appauling how many bad books are out there!

We have a policy at home which is pretty much rent before you buy, in the case of movies. I sometimes check out lyrics to a cd on the net before I buy it. I haven't bought music in years though...I'm a Limewire girl...  :wink: