Les Animaux Aiment la Musique

Today’s title, “Animals Love Music,” is meant as a tribute to a French-speaking musician using the tradename PLUMES. He set out with the goal of promoting animal welfare consciousness. One just has to give him credit for creativity and ingenuity!

He experiments with the idea that animals, like humans, enjoy music and respond to it. Well, that’s just crazy, right?

But, Google AI says, “Not so fast!”

"Plumes" is a French musician known for his viral videos where he plays his pink guitar and sings to various animals, creating heartwarming moments of connection, curiosity, and affection from creatures like cows, horses, elephants, and even okapis, raising awareness for animal welfare and proving music can bridge species gaps. His journey started with a simple idea to see if cows liked music, leading to a worldwide phenomenon showcasing the rich emotional lives and sentience of animals.”

Let’s take an 8-minute break here to watch this extraordinary video.

Singing For Animals Compilation (PLUMES)

Initial Comments

• Eight minutes. Already? Needing more, I looked up the PLUMES YouTube page. I was not disappointed.
• What would it be like to calmly stay seated while several 10,000-pound elephants approached?
• Would I sing with them?
• Would I get up and start dancing with those red-chested birds?
• Do these animals really appreciate music, or are they just curious?
• If they’re just curious, why do so many of them seem to stick around after approaching, even to the point where they kind of cuddle with PLUMES?

I cannot be the only one who has observed that the reactions are unusually consistent across Plumes' audiences. I see hesitation, then all-in vulnerability, along with expressed trust and a smattering of humbleness as these creatures expose themselves to get closer to the musician. I see them embracing the rhythm. I observe dancing maneuvers taking over their physical being. It sure looks like they are enjoying this one-man concert.

My own curiosity continues to ponder.

Specifically relating to my species, we traverse the dirt under our feet just like elephants, giraffes, and lions. Well, not so much like the birds, of course.

I have seen flash-mob videos that encourage us to gather (and we do) in the presence of unexpected and awe-inspiring music. Our collective reactions mimic those of PLUME's spectators. For just a moment, we too exhibit trust, humility, and even a touch of vulnerability as our emotions overflow with the sounds of music. (Is anyone else hearing, "The hills are alive...? Sorry)

Unlike our four-legged (and winged) friends, we create music. Our innovations have the power to elicit both emotional and physical responses as we breathe in chords and lyrics. Although the animals make a connection with the musician, I doubt there is much of a connection between the animals themselves.

The connections between members of the human audience exist but are fleeting. This temporary nature indicates we are missing opportunities. I wonder if we are being irresponsible by neglecting potential relationships.

The connection window appears every time we feel the beat, hear the tones, and sing the lyrics as a group. We have relationship possibilities every time we trust the smile of the person singing next to us, humble ourselves with a smile returned, and willfully expose our vulnerabilities while emotions breach our guarded walls.

But we leave these moments on the floors of our cutting rooms. We snip away and discard the possibilities, leaving scraps of celluloid that could have shaped the cinema of our lives.

We allow fear to inhibit relationships. We adopt narratives that teach us to hate. We seek differences instead of commonalities. We reject potential in favor of the status quo. We comfort ourselves in the silos of us versus them, xenophobia rather than xenophilia.

When emotions begin to breach that well-guarded wall, we summon the cavalry to seal the gap.

None of that corresponds to the miracle of music and its universal appeal, its universal language.

But we do not have to stay in this place. We can muzzle the call for reinforcements. Someday, when we hear a troubadour play in our village square (alright, musicians in malls, auditoriums, and even pubs), we can choose a different path. There are no species gaps to bridge here, but a bridge is needed to allow calm and rational discourse. May it begin with song.

Let's make a new goal, a resolution if you will. When this musician shows up, instead of being standoffish, let’s engage with whoever is nearby. Let’s approach them in a way that says, “Hey. You’re just like me. Happy to meet you! You've got a great voice. How about getting a cup of coffee?”

Why might this work?

• It is probably the case that the situation has placed you in the same place because of something you both love to do.
• It is probably the case that the type of music you’re enjoying is common to both of you. All you have to do is look at them to tell.
• Those feelings and emotions that have overtaken you during the song? Yup. Common to each. And it won’t matter what those feelings are: Happy, excited, or even sad.
• It’s very possible that what you’re hearing in English is just as common in other languages.
• If you start singing, it might not take more than a glance to your side, meeting their eyes for them to start singing with you.

Music is not just a universal language; it has the power to unite. With all my heart, I believe that. Do you? In closing, turn your volume up and watch this YouTube video.

Imagine being right there in the crowds. Imagine your future with new friends - if only you willingly embrace the potential interactions with those around you. Imagine the movie of your life.

I Believe, Nikki Yanofsky - YouTube.

"I believe in the power that comes
From a world brought together as one
I believe together we'll fly
I believe in the power of you and I.

"Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart" ~ Ephesians 5:19