In Jonathan Safran Foer's book "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," the author poses a thought-provoking question about the nature of good songs and their emotional impact. He suggests that good songs can cause discomfort or upset because they often present an idealized version of reality, which may not align with the complexities of real life.

Foer further explores the idea that beauty and reality rarely coexist in their pure forms. He implies that while we may long for beauty in our experiences, the perfection found in art, like music, can highlight the imperfections of everyday life, leading to a sense of disillusionment. This tension between beauty and reality creates a profound emotional response in listeners.