What Are Songs For? - Ben Levin

[@tomaseisenhammer8291]

Just a reminder: Don't try to predict what Ben does. It's impossible.

[@Tubluer]

I predict that Ben will never show up with a flute, wearing a concert tux and playing Bach fugues.

[@fatguy338]

I love how "try stuff" is pretty much the best musical advice anyone could ever give. Of course there's so much more to it than that but I'd argue it's the foundation of every composition.

[@AimeeNolte]

That bendy guitar string is my favorite thing of the day

[@lucasgoncalvesdefaria7121]

Ben is a master in what I call Reverse Clickbait. The title misleads you into believing that you'll have an awesome thing but instead of frustating you with something bad it gives you a lot more than you were hoping for.

[@octaviusdelmonte9019]

Songs are basically a holdover from medieval music forms. We've basically come full circle, I would argue the music of today is electric minstrel music. Mostly simple AB song structures with lyrics that are about heroic deeds and lost loves etc

[@jacobscardino4330]

I basically interpreted this as a personal video from Ben Levin instructing me to stop being lazy and complacent, and since I greatly admire Ben I have to obey him. Time to get to work!! 💪🏼🎼🎹🎵🎶🙂 ....and I will start by flushing the excuses down the toilet, and salvaging the turds!! IM GONNA PUT MY TURDS TO GOOD USE BEN!!!!

[@shamsaliriaz5264]

I love the closer look at your mindset rather than the theory behind it. In my opinion it seems to attach you to your music when I hear it, it kind of reminds me of the story telling behind something like Freak Machine. Thanks a lot for sharing this stuff, super inspiring!

[@MisterDoctorBaconman]

Shams Ali Riaz I think anyone who really loves Ben's music can agree that the force of his personality and it's connection to the music itself drives the work forward into new and interesting territory.

[@jakefromshadefarm]

I haven't been able to write a single note of music for years, so long ago that I've started to consider that the muse I once heard in my head has abandoned me entirely. This video felt like such a gift, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts here. 8:40 really spoke to me, Ben. I will create again.

[@NotAStranger2440]

2:11 that was the most Thom yorke thing I’ve heard from Ben and I mean that in the absolute best way possible. Damn I love this guy

[@jonahvenable1394]

Sounds like “unmade”

[@adrielcalvelo]

you're in need for a "Hello There" ;)

[@myleswoods8371]

i love the frantic style of these videos

[@BenjaminEarlMusic]

The wave that got away is currently my #1 favorite record.

[@snaxxdeluxe]

I cried at the end of this video. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@galaga00]

This human is a treasure to humanity.

[@RTFosmark]

Ben Levin, you are an absolute treasure to reality, and I’m thrilled that you exist.

[@JB-fp3fb]

I'm having fun now!

[@LeoSlider]

This is the most inspiring man I have fallen down the stairs of KZbin and stumbled into. Hands down, hands over heels for this man.

[@BenLevin]

Leo, I appreciate that and will do my best to not let you down‼️

[@alvaroplol]

This is the most important channel on KZbin and it's not even because of the music

[@MrMartinBigger]

Wow I can't believe this came out WITHIN hours of me having a beautiful meditative almost psychedelic guitar writting session, and contemplation session. It's too perfect. This video wrapped up exactly how I feel in this moment.

[@beigemonk6250]

uploaded at the same time i had a psychedelic experience in which i was writing music and fixated on the same thing he's describing. it's freaky isn't it?

[@benjamindragon598]

that vocal line was so punk rock plus opera

[@NanoMan737400]

I never cease to be amazed at how great your ability of getting things done is. You're an everlasting source of inspiration Ben!

[@danielpena3931]

I can always rely on Ben Levin to help me break out of my writer's block.

[@kenigden]

I am so grateful to you. For all kind of stuff you make and show. If somebody asked me, who of the artists get real freedom and joy from art, I would answer: watch this video.

[@Tal_Thom]

Poop Dali ☠️ I’m so glad the world has you right now. You are an artist for all the ages.

[@MakeWeirdMusic]

You are my hero, man.

[@alvarezblanco]

God I love you Ben

[@motioninmind6015]

Brilliance from every angle. Thank you so much ❤️

[@lexipulido]

golly gosh every time, I love it all so much

[@LexJoeHome]

Inspirational in the truest sense

[@justinoden2229]

Hey Ben, all of your music is moving to me and I've especially loved the wave that got away. It's encouraging to me how you display your work and failures. Thanks for everything you've brought to my life.

[@eltonwild5648]

I prefer this style of videos rather than the two last collabs. It's just my taste. I think your videos are inspirational and food for thought. You have a unique KZbin channel and It's a pleasure to learn from you.

[@SaintFranssoix]

porque no los dos

[@liamsambrook3057]

I don’t know you but you seem like a lovely human being thanks for making my day better with your lovely videos :))))

[@mutably]

IT'S HAPPENING!!! I'M HAVING FUN!!!!

[@Akshaykumar-bs9ml]

Ben more content on composing and letting your creativity fly please, its really important and impactful in many ways.

[@ahorseinahospital]

These are the best composition tips I've heard in my life, thank you

[@LukeBeadles]

This is Ben's equivalent of Adam's "What does music mean"

[@shitmultiverse1404]

Adam is the brain and Ben is the heart

[@LukeBeadles]

@@shitmultiverse1404 That is a beautiful username.

[@shitmultiverse1404]

@@LukeBeadles thanks, It's just on-brand

[@Tylervrooman]

Thanks for the great content !! Loved your 1 minute piece with David Bruce!

[@FayeFadem]

You were right. I like this one

[@jackk9366]

This is actually one of the most inspiring videos I have seen in a while!

[@soppysock]

Thank you for sharing Ben. Your perspective is always eye-opening to me.

[@smbedzyk]

whatever cloth Ben's soul was cut from, it was a strange one and I love it

[@The_Exploding_Moth_From_Hell]

I want a tie made of it

[@donovan665]

Superb sublime and profound

[@samgould8567]

I’m showing this video to my loved ones to explain what it is like for me to write songs and why I do it. You capture the essence of it perfectly.

[@BenLevin]

That is beautiful

[@garygordon4277]

Ben, I truly believe you are a musical genius.

[@sammiller9855]

Who needs psychedelics when you can watch a Ben video? In a heat wave of brilliance, crystallized normality melts into liquid creativity.

[@theaustralianhulk]

bro, you are like a musical genius. I love you man

[@srshaw89]

You make me smile

[@BeightyMusic]

I just bumped with this channel, and im so thankful. Holly shit this guys kind of a genius

[@jamjox9922]

Bro, thanks for putting your process out there. So many other musicians create "content," and as a consumer--that's great. But as a fellow creator, it's always nice to see how others (musicians much better than I) approach the creative process. Thanks a lot, man, you're great!

[@SonnyGreenwichJr]

That was not what I was expecting and that's a good thing. Thank you Dr Ben! From totally locked down, grey and ghostly Ireland! ☘️💪🏽👀👍🏽☘️

[@eduardomedina5794]

Your videos are getting better and better!! Its so inspiring watching you Ben

[@timbobwe1]

What are songs for? Songs are for you, Ben

[@HairyandMad]

i feel like im seeing the future of art/content and its making me so happy

[@enricopersia4290]

Having fun, you're right Ben, I'm recording a lot of stuff in this moment of isolation and I find it fun. And hopefully, the listeners will have fun too. Quoting Devin Townsend: "...and music? Well, it's just entertainment, folks!"

[@semin811]

Hands down, the best (content) creator out there on KZbin. Always jaw-dropping.

[@GUMMYITALIAN]

Hey man thanks for this video 🙌🦋

[@scratchrepeat]

It's cool to hear you talk about songs as making you feel thoughts. I haven't heard that quote before but I've been thinking a lot about this idea of how music can convey "emotional knowledge" (whatever that could be). I think when you feel something in that way, it's even more than knowing it. As a side note, your videos like this are the best thing for getting me excited about making music when I'm feeling stuck. So thank you!

[@zachammonpeterson2011]

Thank you, Ben.

[@jayeff8096]

Damn that quote about songs is awesome

[@adamsanders3521]

In quarantine here and all out of drugs, thank you Ben this was just the trip I needed!

[@georgerichardson7728]

No drugs? Tough break dude !

[@ideitbawxproductions1880]

Wow ... this is such a great video on staying creative! I think it's easy sometimes to get trapped in this idea of "you have to write a song by these rules because reasons", but ... there are no rules. you need to write what inspires you, first and foremost! thanks for this video, Ben. it's very inspiring! btw I loved that snapping the beat part. kind of reminded me of the Tenacious D skit where they're trying to write a new song. "If you got the beat, you got the song! YEAH! PUT SOME STEAK ON IT! PUT - SOME - STEAK - ON IT! Did you hit record?!"

[@gunstaf]

i write most of my songs to myself. sometimes i share them but the feedback is always... frustrating? (depressing, unfortunately basic, uninteresting and uninterested). my songs are like a diary of my thoughts, guided by the rhymes and the feeling, but the others' songs are like an "exciter" or fuel for an emotional state. yours songs are fuel to my authenticity e eclecticism, they remind that music is also expression (not only culture)

[@Brian-sh5ne]

I totally agree with that last statement! Although I think that’s partially because finishing and sharing songs is often the hardest part. Great video!

[@visques]

You are pure genius, thanks!

[@idamehrnoush8833]

This hits a special spot

[@soumonism]

Love it

[@MrKrOn13]

One of the most interesting people i have seen...And a great musician too!

[@MartijnFrazer]

You're such a legend, love this stuff man

[@harrysouter2304]

+1

[@gabri43375]

i love it

[@unktopia]

How lucky am I to have just discovered you.

[@plasterpenguin]

thank you for the inspiration, Ben!

[@joshnsolomon]

I like the guitar solo

[@NikosPage]

Hey Ben, I love you

[@pogchamp7983]

I been trying to do that recently like totally not think about where I'm putting my fingers and just seeing what happens and not worrying whether it sounds good or if it's correct or anything. Obviously there's a time and a place for everything but it's interesting to just go into that pure creation mode.

[@ngchcgufviyvv6691]

Ben out here making MOOSIC

[@thegoalistheplan3868]

I don’t know exactly what this is, but it’s definitely art

[@onpage69]

this is crazy cool

[@eldude123456789]

this is great

[@visenteperes5689]

ben i rly appreciate your videos.

[@TheR6R6R]

Holy shit that solo.

[@omertabach9794]

Thank you.

[@bluedyeno1]

Thanks, Ben.

[@BigDaddyWes]

Jeez Ben...... Thanks. For, that.

[@federicomazzolani8059]

One of the best videos I've watched so far in 2020. Love the subject, love the style.

[@Aleph_Null_Audio]

Maybe songs make you feel thoughts and songwriting makes you think feelings?

[@sunra59]

Aye Corona!! I think I just caught Ben Levin fever!!

[@4Pssf2w]

Thanks, Ben, I needed to hear this today. This is helping me with my struggles.

[@timberfinn]

This video is beautiful, thank you!

[@INTOTHEFOLD]

Such a fucking genius.

[@esternegri3343]

I don't know, I cried

[@johntilelli]

I have so many questions to ask you and at the same time I don't know how to put those questions into words. In a good way.

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

Yes, this place.

[@ijimedia]

you're a mad genius

[@Professoar]

I'm having fun now

[@pratishyoutube]

Masterpiece ♥️

[@iamnottim.]

I have a new crush. Thank you for videos, Ben!

[@Gusrikh1]

I agree with this ethos ..

[@esellwan]

I love you soamuch, thank you for this 😊

[@LNP3]

God damn Ben you got me wanting to make art

[@jaypatil6286]

this is quirky kind of chaos

[@cavitycat]

I love this and your aesthetic keep it up and stay safe :3