Wait, why do I like this song?

Lately, I've been spending a lot of time thinking about why I like certain music.  And, while I haven't come to a full conclusion on the topic, I've had a few interesting ideas. 
For me, it's all about truth and energy.  And in a lot of ways they go hand in hand.  If you don't have the energy to get your point across in an interesting way, you'll have a hard time getting people to pay attention.  On the other hand, if what you're trying to say doesn't really mean anything to you, no one will believe you.  And then there's the really interesting situation of being able to convey your message in one medium verses another.
For example, I recently had the experience of seeing an artist live, liking what I heard, subsequently downloading the most recent album from said artist, listening and (aside from a couple songs, which I'm still on the fence about) being left rather disappointed.  I have to confess, during the performance, the artist didn't have my full attention as I was keeping somewhat focused on my mission of selling merch for one of the acts.  However, I heard enough to interest me and leave me wanting to hear more.   While listening to the album, the lyrics and I think, to some extent, the delivery of those lyrics, left me seriously questioning the sincerity of the artist.  The lyrics I'm thinking about are really corny and for one reason or another, I just didn't believe that the singer really meant to say them. 
I find this so interesting because there are other singer-songwriters who have lyrics that are on the corny side that I completely buy into - hook, line and sinker.  I've seen them play live numerous times and still can't wait to go back for more.  Now, most of these artists also have something intelligent and interesting to say when they're not being all sappy and whatnot, but still, you get the idea.  Why can some people get through to us, while others just don't ring true?
A friend of mine suggested that I feel this way because I'm a singer and I need to believe other singers in order to appreciate their songs.  I definitely believe that, but I'm wondering, is it just singers who feel this way?  I've always felt that there is a connection between artist and observer, it may not always be what the artist intended, but the way I see it, the artist has done his or her job right if they find an audience who sees something of value in their work.  In most art forms, I believe this comes from that connection: a feeling of someone having expressed something that you've thought or felt in a way that perhaps you couldn't or wouldn't even think of doing.   And even if they don't use words or get to their meaning very vaguely, you know it as soon as you see or hear it.  It's almost as if the piece were created just for you.   While, for the most part, that's not the case, it's great to know that someone else has felt what you are feeling or thought what you are thinking.
My current example of relating to art in such a way is my reaction to a song by Gavin DeGraw.  It seems unlikely that a song titled Medicate the Kids would affect me the way it has, I've always been more into the love or unrequited love songs, but nonetheless, there it is.  I came about a year late to the party on this one, as the album it comes from was released in 2008 (better late than never, I say).  However, I have to be just as enthusiastic about it as if it were just released.  ;) 
The song, if you haven't already guessed, expresses a strong opposition to medication for behavioral problems in children.  I've always been opposed to the all too common diagnosis and subsequent prescription of medication for ADD/ ADHD and other similar issues, but I never would have thought to write a song about it, nor do I think I could have expressed the hypocrisy of it as clearly and intensely as Gavin has.  So, for me, it's a great feeling to know that someone feels the same way and has expressed those thoughts so well.  Not to mention having a chorus that makes me want to, and feel like I could, take on the world.  For me it takes on multiple meanings and even serves as a means of inspiration for accomplishing my goals. - I'm pretty sure that has more to do with the tone of the song and its chorus than anything else.  Regardless, listening to this song just makes me feel great.   I can't get enough of it!  :) 

There are so many songs and other works of art that I feel the same way about and I'm looking forward to sharing some of those and other ideas about music and art.  So, with that, please feel free to share your thoughts on the topic and let me know what you think of this first post. :)

(I'm including a link to Gavin's website where you can listen to the song and read the lyrics, for those of you who are interested in further exploration ;) ) 

Gavin DeGraw

Medicate the Kids Lyrics