Matches in DBpedia 2014 for { ?s ?p Attenborough considers the purpose of songs, questioning the evolutionary advantage which led to the human larynx developing into a complex, precise instrument. The answers can be found in the natural world. Birdsong differs between species and even individuals, and is characterised by sustained melodic phrases rather than short, simple vocalisations. Research has shown that the most complex songsters have the best chance of attracting a mate, so singing has a sexual purpose. Attenborough next considers mammals, where the gibbon species are particularly adept exponents of song. Males sing daily from the treetops, and in doing so attract the interests of females. When a female joins a male in pair bond, she performs a "magnificent solo aria" and their duet culminates in a "wildly passionate climax". Attenborough speculates that male gibbons with the most complex songs get the most female attention. In humans, songs generate camaraderie and spiritual emotion, but their chief role is still sexual. "Shakespeare wondered if music was the food of love", concludes Attenborough. "Vocally, it was, and what is more, it still is.". }
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- David_Attenborough's_Life_Stories shortsummary "Attenborough considers the purpose of songs, questioning the evolutionary advantage which led to the human larynx developing into a complex, precise instrument. The answers can be found in the natural world. Birdsong differs between species and even individuals, and is characterised by sustained melodic phrases rather than short, simple vocalisations. Research has shown that the most complex songsters have the best chance of attracting a mate, so singing has a sexual purpose. Attenborough next considers mammals, where the gibbon species are particularly adept exponents of song. Males sing daily from the treetops, and in doing so attract the interests of females. When a female joins a male in pair bond, she performs a "magnificent solo aria" and their duet culminates in a "wildly passionate climax". Attenborough speculates that male gibbons with the most complex songs get the most female attention. In humans, songs generate camaraderie and spiritual emotion, but their chief role is still sexual. "Shakespeare wondered if music was the food of love", concludes Attenborough. "Vocally, it was, and what is more, it still is."".