Music is a funny thing. It’s only after reaching “adulthood” that I think I fully understood what people had meant all along by “being moved” by music, or when they said music was “like another language” that could speak to them. It doesn’t convey words or concrete concepts, but it does evoke emotions and impressions in the listener. So listening to music really isn’t the same as listening to someone speak or reading their written words, but some analogies hold. You can often tell when someone is a very good speaker or writer because you are compelled to follow their meaning, even though you might not agree or even understand their message. In the same way, some music just draws you in, regardless of its topic or lyrics.

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I’ve always loved the dedication Sesame Street has to using modern musicians to teach basic concepts to children. Nowhere is this more apparent than using Norah Jones as a spelling instructor.

Flight of the Conchords is a New Zealand comedy/musical duo that have been around for a while - perhaps you’ve heard their fly rap skills? They also have a self-titled television show which has been renewed for a second season, with the same dry wit from their comedy tours.