Evolutionary Ideas Cannot Account for Singing

A spell back, we looked at music and the human mind. This child believes that music is a gift from the Creator. Darwinists may try to evosplain it away, but animal sounds, ape grunts, and all that cannot account for music.

Consider singing. This is another word where context and definitions are important. Someone may say that whale and bird vocalizations are singing, for example. Some bird songs may last a few seconds and seem elaborate, but should not be likened to human songs.

Interior with merrily singing peasants / Vincent Malo, ca. 1635 (PD)

Although there are some exceptions, a song contains words for singing. People sing songs for recordings, spontaneously with others, and other reasons. Singing can communicate whatever emotions people feel like expressing. There are songs that start out quiet, build into something more raucous, drop down in intensity — then, let's rock the joint! Apes, insects, and birds do not deliberately compose songs. You savvy that, Pilgrim?

A channel on YouTube called The Charismatic Voice features a lady who is an opera singer and vocal coach. Far from being a snob, she analyzes rock and heavy metal vocalists. What becomes quickly apparent is that quality singing (above simply hitting the notes and carrying a tune) has some fine details. There is even some biology involved. It is fun watching her get excited and even giggly in her appreciation. As to whether or not certain techniques were learned by the artists or came naturally, I have no idea.

When watching a drummer-vocalist like Jen Ledger, appreciate the numerous things that are going on during a song as well as the jarring during singing. Not to mention other distractions. They focus!

The article linked below is from an Intelligent Design source, and I was a mite surprised that God was mentioned — many of those folks try to distance themselves from religious matters, especially biblical creation science. I need to add some brief points. The Bible mentions singing about 400 times! Indeed, there are about fifty commands to sing. God likes singing and the angels sang at creation (Job 38:4-7). Music and singing are further examples that we are created in the image of God and not just animals.

Singing can be as simple as a bedtime lullaby, or as grand as a national anthem. Our range of songs extends to include love songs and ballads recounting deeds of heroism. Celebratory songs, such as “Happy Birthday,” or carols for Christmas, or songs for fun are all part of our collective memories. Singing reaches far above the natural realm in songs and hymns sung to God.

Since singing and the attention we devote to it extend across time and cultures, it is worthwhile to take note and ask whether this deep-rooted human behavior is more consistent with a naturalistic theory of human origins or with the intelligent design of humans. First, let’s make a brief examination of the physiological requirements for the human voice to produce the expressive range of tones and frequencies associated with singing.

The rest can be found at "Evolutionary Model Can’t Account for Singing." But wait! An hour or two after I wrote this, the author had a follow-up article that really drives the points home. He discusses irreducible complexity (something that should be obvious, but I missed it), perfect pitch, how singing can actually be good for you, and more. I'd be much obliged if you'd take a few more minutes and add "Singing — A Remarkable Gift, by Design."