'Among Other Things Fell into Talk of Musique'

There are, I assume, people who do not sing. That is, they have the pipes and know sufficient lyrics to emit at least one song but don’t do so, whether out of self-consciousness or diminished animal spirits. Singing seems as natural as sneezing. I don’t necessarily mean a performance for others. I mean in the shower or automobile. The latter is my conservatory of choice. In fact, if you can’t sing, don’t – around other people. The same applies to writing. Keep it to yourself if you’re not yet good at it. What you do at home in a notebook is your business but don’t inflict it on others.   

On Saturday while running errands I heard “La Pistola y El Corazón” by Los Lobos on the radio: “No se como decirte / No se como explicarte,” etc. I know little Spanish but sing the lyrics phonetically. I bought the album more than thirty years ago. David Hidalgo’s voice is higher and more soulful and poignant-sounding than mine, so I make adjustments. It’s a beautiful song, irresistible, regardless of your first language.

Samuel Pepys is not customarily associated with singing. He can be a dour, mulish fellow, but here’s what he writes in his diary on this date, Oct. 1, in 1661: “This morning my wife and I lay long in bed, and among other things fell into talk of musique, and desired that I would let her learn to sing, which I did consider, and promised her she should. So before I rose, word was brought me that my singing master, Mr. Goodgroome, was come to teach me and so she rose and this morning began to learn also.”

Pepys was not a sensitive or sentimental man, as we would understand it, but there’s something touching about this pillow talk and his willingness to let Elizabeth study singing. It makes for domestic harmony.