Sometimes it takes a while to seep in, especially for fresh ears. The shock of the new is very powerful. Yet for those not ready, reactions run the gamut from uncertainty to outrage.

I cant imagine what it would be like to hear Hendrix or Sabbath for the first time at this point in my life.

There's nothing better than listening to music --doing nothing else but focusing on and absorbing the sounds (personally, i prefer headphones to speakers - and a altered state of mind). Well, im ready and i will heed your suggestion: Masters of Reality and Electric Ladyland back-to-back, turned up to 11.

Sent by tim weeks | 4:27 PM ET | 08-04-2008

Meet me anyplace or anywhere or anytime.

You're so right. I'm normally too afraid to put my favourite records on for people because I think, firstly, they've probably already heard (of) it already and know (or think they know) whether they like it or not and, secondly, maybe they'll pick it apart and cheapen it for me in some way. That said, the few times I have played albums for people, not knowing for certain whether they'd love it- and they have loved it- it's been one of the most rewarding things ever.. the initial worry that they won't enjoy it is overcome by the joint adoration of the music and it's indescribable.

I've actually arranged something similar to what you did for the end of the summer with one of my friends though; should be fun.

Sent by Leah | 5:03 PM ET | 08-04-2008

I recently went and listened to every Led Zeppelin album, cover to cover.
What bliss

Sent by Bob Boilen | 6:31 PM ET | 08-04-2008

On my first "date" with the person that is now my fiancee, I went excitedly through my music collection and played him my favorite songs in a sort of ecstatic beer-induced haze. I remember freaking out over Wire, as though I had never heard them in my life, hearing them as though with new ears (which I suppose new love gives one in way), Young Marble Giants, Thin Lizzy, etc etc. It's the last time I've played dj for a new friend/lover and I remember it being a fantastic time.

Sent by Leilani | 8:56 PM ET | 08-04-2008

i hate playing music for people who aren't already familiar with the bands. its too much pressure on me. even just in the car, if i have a passenger, after a while of shuffling through tracks, i get frustrated and switch it to the radio.

Sent by Lauren | 9:04 PM ET | 08-04-2008

for you and anyone else who is moving and/or trying to get rid of anything check out freecycle. most cities have a network, and it pretty useful. i just moved to milwaukee and love my freecycle community. almost anything you are done with or dont want someone else does want. i even gave away some curtain rods that i bought in the wrong size and couldnt return. the best part is, you know you are giving to someone who will likely not let your items end up in a dump, which is comforting.

and yes, shedding material things that have become internal is very liberating.

Sent by Tanya | 10:05 PM ET | 08-04-2008

I love that you did this!

That first listen is so important. Had you just burned these albums for this friend, do you think they would have had the same impact? The Memory of this music will last longer than any CD-r because of the excitement and time you devoted to this experience.

When you love the music that much, don't give them the opportunity to ignore it.

Sent by g. cameron norbert | 10:28 PM ET | 08-04-2008

Isn't it amazing how our possessions actually own us! Not the other way around! Everything is the opposite of what it appears, and nothing is the opposite of what it appears! What would our lives look like if we lived so much in the moment that every time we listened to music it was as if it was the first time?

What else would be possible?

Sent by Brendan | 11:08 PM ET | 08-04-2008

I don't know. I think I'm just jealous. CB as DJ for a night?

Sent by mr jones | 12:36 AM ET | 08-05-2008

I plan on doing this when I drive up to college, 10 hours from home next Friday. I'm arranging a play list to completely consume my car, so that way I am not thinking of what I am leaving behind, but also not thinking of fears ahead of me. Just letting the music take over my whole ride.

Sent by Meaghan | 1:07 AM ET | 08-05-2008

I'm actually suprised how many people have never heard of Patti Smith before. Well, admittedly, I found out about her after watching the film "In My Fathers Den" and just loving the soundtrack.
Wasn't Horses released in 1975? Which would make it 33 years old, not 31?
Also, Patti Smith did a cover of Smells Like Teen Spirit, which you can find somewhere on youtube. And it's actually a really good cover too.

I once tried to get a friend of mine (also not that great with music) to listen to a Pixies mix CD i made. she was horrified. Now that I think back, maybe I shouldn't have put on Planet of Sound and Tame. Maybe I should have just put on Here Comes Your Man.

Sent by NC | 4:00 AM ET | 08-05-2008

Not to be too persnickety, but Horses is 33 years old, not 31!

I really love introducing beloved music to a friend for the first time, but sometimes I feel like I get a little too excited, which can upset the harmony between the new listener and the great song. Maybe I'm being too self-conscious, but sometimes I can sense my excitement overwhelming the purity of the experience, so that my own personal conclusions about the song are hanging in the air in a way that distracts the new listener. That's why, lately, when I want to introduce a friend to a particular album or artist, I will usually just burn a CD, and let them experience the music on their own terms using their own ritual (as discussed in an earlier post!)

Sent by nikki | 8:42 AM ET | 08-05-2008

I have thought about this stuff many times before. My approach to it began with a conversation and then I would sort of say to myself, "I'm going to blow this person's mind" and I would make them a mix. It was fun for me because it gave me a reason to go through my music collection. I would proudly hand them the mix as if the arrangement itself were a work of art and I would eagerly await their response. I would then give them more mixes based on their response. I was always excited to hear that someone was as blown away by a band as I was. I would feel excited for them I guess. You did basically the same thing but in person. I've got to try that! Anyways, very cool post Carrie. Thanks.

Sent by ryan | 8:58 AM ET | 08-05-2008

Wow- your friend never heard Hendrix or Black Sabbath before? Is your friend an octogenarian or a tween?

Sent by dk | 11:11 AM ET | 08-05-2008

This is one of the best posts you have written and yes, it does remind me of the almost solmen prcess that one must consider when being a beacon for someone else's exposure to new cultural artifacts such as unheard music. Lately I have been wrestling with the notion of whether or not a very kitschy shock metal band has a decent enough story behind their works to consider listening closely enough to judge quality for myself. Your article may have helped me disown any lasting subjective thoughts I might have.

Sent by Tom | 1:00 PM ET | 08-05-2008

I always make an effort to play Creed's "With Arms Wide Open" when virgin ears are in my presence. When that guy sings "tears of joy stream down my face," we begin to weep with him.

In all seriousness, though, it is definitely scary presenting your most high held musicians to someone who hasn't ever listened to them, or even heard of them. We used to be given the opportunity to play mix cds in art class for our peers to listen to while we worked. I always got nauseous while making that long trek up to the stereo to put my cd in. kids can be cruel when they don't like your music, and they spared nothing when informing me of what they thought of my music.

Sent by natalie in pdx | 1:48 PM ET | 08-05-2008

I love music, but have almost completely given up sharing it with friends. My experience has been depressingly reproducible. I get ready to put on a song/album, explain some of what I like about the music and hit play. Then, my friend starts trying to have a conversation about other stuff. It was so frustrating. Now, I wait until I know they like music and are curious to hear all sorts of things. I am much less frustrated one one level, but would still like to have the music I love be a common language with friends and family.

Sent by Amanda | 2:55 PM ET | 08-05-2008

I had a moment where I played Gang of Four for a friend of mine for the first time; their response "It's alright but it sounds too much like Franz Ferdinand" was like a punch to the gut.

So I can sympathize when trying out music you love on someone who might not get it in the same way you do.

Sent by Brian | 5:04 PM ET | 08-05-2008

I know the feeling of being a sales person for a band that a friend has never heard before. It feels like a big leap of faith that you have to think about before you want to advocate the particular record. The acceptance of that friend tCo what ever band your trying to sell them on, in my experience, highly depends on if they are adventurous musically or just raised on mainstream radio their entire lives. Playing the Fiery Furnaces' "Bitter Tea" and "Blueberry Boat" didn't go over to well with the KROQ friends, but the more adventurous musical friends that I have loved it.

Sent by Craig | 5:59 PM ET | 08-05-2008

Carrie.
This is your so-called "ignoramus" friend.
Just because NPR doesn't pay me to write about my record collection and I had never heard "Gloria" by Patti Smith until this past Sunday doesn't mean I know nothing about music. Remember when I played you John Legend and you didn't recognize his voice? Might you recall how I know almost every one of Jill Scott's lyrics? And don't get me started on Alicia Keys. I could fact check you under the table when it comes to Ms. Keys.
I challenge you to a music competition: I'll play one contemporary R&B song and you have to guess who it is. Then you get to play Beatles' songs and I have to guess whether Lennon or McCartney wrote it. We'll see who the ignoramus is then.

I'm off to listen to Jodeci. He will soothe the sting of your post.

-JG

Sent by JG | 8:22 PM ET | 08-05-2008

there's always an old album i'm in love with from time to time. for some reason, when i listen to some new band or kind of music then i remember something that was part of my past taste that i havent been listening for a while and then i put it on and fall in love again.

what on right now?dead can dance "spleen and ideal" 1985 4AD

Sent by donasonica | 9:22 PM ET | 08-05-2008

Having another person in the same room/car when I share a band/artist they have never heard before is too much for me. I want them to be as into the record as I am, and if they've never heard it before, chances are they won't be.

Instead I would rather give them their own copy and talk them after the listener has give it the once over twice (or thrice).

Sent by setya | 12:23 AM ET | 08-06-2008

I have given up on trying to turn people on to my music. It's like trying to explain to people why I like soccer.

Sent by Erik | 1:50 AM ET | 08-06-2008

I absolutely love forcing my favourite music on people. I think it's just human nature to want to share and bond over things we love.

Sent by Adam | 2:52 AM ET | 08-06-2008

i've recently begun a new job w/ twice the commute i had before. i've taken the opportunity to pull a few albums at random that i haven't listened to in a long time (or all the way through) for my drive back and forth. your posts on moving are also really timely since i am moving this week and trying to figure out which books/cds are necessary to take. so far, however, most have to come with me.

Sent by jayme | 10:00 AM ET | 08-06-2008

With the exception of works that are great in their sheer (or apparent) simplicity, which tend to be stellar pop songs like "Friday on My Mind" or "Psychotic Reaction," I don't think many great songs or artists "convey [their] essential importance or validity immediately" - most need time to unfold subtle meanings and structures. For that reason, I'm more likely to give a copy of a masterpiece to a not-so-musically-inclined friend and encourage her to give it time than I am to sit her down and play it for her. Such a work has a different significance for every new listener which takes attention and repeated exposure to develop. I'm only disappointing myself if I expect her to "get it" the first time.

Things are a bit different, though, if I'm treating a fan of an artist to something else with a similar sensibility or style - someone who loves Fairport Convention will probably love Mellow Candle or The Trees, say, so I can be pretty sure she'll enjoy the first hearing and be jazzed about the discovery. That's pure pleasure for both of us, and I love the reverse experience of being turned on that way just as much.

Thanks for the intriguing post, Carrie!

Sent by Darren | 5:31 AM ET | 08-07-2008

Bonding through narcissism is soooo 90's :)

I've found that the deeper the music the harder the sell. Hence why Italo has nearly a 90% success rate on new ears. Where as let's say ... Momus can be a really tough sell.. about 90% failure rate. Bet the benefits from both are equal to the failure rate.

I've found Death in June is a great happy medium.

Sent by daniel | 5:14 PM ET | 08-07-2008

when I say Italo .. I mean Italo Disco.

Sent by daniel | 9:19 AM ET | 08-08-2008

I've found it's quite difficult to share anything by Animal Collective with my friends or girlfriend. I'm not sure if it's the falsetto parts, or the screaming, or the abrupt transitions in between, but I usually feel like it's best to just keep it to myself.

Sent by Silence Kid | 10:02 AM ET | 08-08-2008

It seems like a difficult thing to listen to new sounds while someone is waiting for a reaction or feedback. People need time to absorb, especially if the music is totally unfamiliar.

That said, I often play dj for whoever will listen.

The timing has to be right.
The best is when the timing is perfect and you send someone into musical ecstacy!!

Sent by Jose Jones | 5:36 PM ET | 08-08-2008