As a music fan, what are the "contradictory" thoughts and impulses you feel are important to balance?

Bruce Springsteen has periodically talked about how holding two contradictory idto better appreciate musiceas in your head can be very important, especially as we grow up and take in different nuances of life.

One such quote from his SXSW speech:

So, rumble, young musicians, rumble. Open your ears and open your hearts. Don't take yourself too seriously, and take yourself as seriously as death itself. Don't worry. Worry your ass off. Have ironclad confidence, but doubt — it keeps you awake and alert. Believe you are the baddest ass in town, and, you suck!

It keeps you honest. It keeps you honest. Be able to keep two completely contradictory ideas alive and well inside of your heart and head at all times. If it doesn't drive you crazy, it will make you strong. Stay hard, stay hungry and stay alive. When you walk onstage on tonight to bring the noise, treat it like it's all we have. And then remember, it's only rock and roll. I think I may go out and catch a little black death metal. Thank you.

Overall, this can apply to a lot of different ideas and mediums other than music. Treating things really seriously while also recognizing that it's only music. Rock n' roll has been both rebellious and political while also being fun and an escape from the drudgery of daily life. You can be very critical while also being very proud of something.

Now granted: A lot of ideas can actually work in tandem when you think about them closely. I'm not saying ideas have to be contradictory. I just mean that certain ideas are often pitted against each other when both are important.

Some examples that come to mind for me:

• Boundary-pushing music can be very unifying. After all, you're breaking the barriers and mixing together different ideas.
• Sometimes, the best way to be authentic and true to yourself is to take on different personas and influences. It's a way for you to develop your creativity and explore the different facets of yourself.
• Individuality and community are both important; individuality allows your to be creative, community allows you to resonate with others. I would actually say that community can nurture people to be creative individuals.
• Sometimes, the work that resonates with the widest audiences is when you don't set out to please them.