these magic moments: pop, writing, and the little stuff

Abstract

Link to this article: http://journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S0261143005000668How to cite this article: Eric Weisbard (2005). These magic moments: pop, writing, and the little stuff. Popular Music, 24, pp 307-310

Introduction: the notion of magic in popular music discourse

“… 3 In 2005, Eric Weisbard coordinated a special issue of this journal on magic, inviting colleagues to reflect on ‘the very real category of magic moment’ that provides happy compositional accidents, and affords a sense of rapture in the listening experience (Weisbard 2005, p. 309). We hope that this collection of articles expands our understanding of this important, probably eternal issue.…”

Music and Magic: Call for Articles

“…Back in 1981, Simon Frith insisted that myths and magic existed insofar as cultural participants believed in them and found them comforting, giving the example of rock songs that conjured up, for those who so desired, a working-class street culture. Eric Weisbard (2005) similarly proposed focusing our academic attention on the ‘magic moments’ of musical experiences, insisting that scholars should accept and recognise those instances when rapture, accidents, a sense of vertigo or one's perplexity (‘the quizzical, not the categorical’) takes centre stage in life, and all thanks to music.…”