Ocean

While I write I listen to my Pandora station, which is a collection of instrumentals, orchestras, string-orchestras and harmonic melodies.

I was deep in focus with my writing, the music is more of a background noise, then John Butler’s instrumental ‘Ocean’ brought me from my words.

I sat back and enjoyed the 12mins of the instrumental. It was worth every second, every minute but it had to come to a resolution and end. (you can watch/listen to it here)

I sat back with the goosebumps all over my body settling down. John Butler is an artist. He uses his melodies to explain his life struggles, peak moments and to where he is now.

I saw him Live a few years ago and I had the same feelings. John claimed before he begun, ‘Ocean’ is his story, a journey of his life, verses and rhythms that are added and changed over time. On YouTube you can watch all different live shows and there will be differences with each verse but it will always have the ultimate climax.

Last night John Butler’s ‘Ocean’ made me realize, it is a novel.

It has an introduction, it builds up, plateaus, builds up, drops down, spikes to it’s ultimate climax. Then gradually winds down with a few high peaks, but not as high as the climax then ends.

Exactly how a novel should carry their reader through their story.

A novel should have build ups, pleteaus and the ultimate climax. Joseph Campbell would agree and direct the argument towards his theory of ‘The Hero’s Journey’. I won’t go into complete detail of each step and the flaws but I will mention his theory caused a backlash as it neglected the Heroine’s Journey which was formed later on by Maureen Murdock.

Each climax draws the reader closer to the story, more engaged with the characters and the reader care about why the protagonist is embarking on a journey.

Even though they are different mediums, songs and novels serve the same purpose; to carry their audience on a journey.