You raise some good points. The use of any subjective word, unfortunately, is unavoidable when talking about art. It is a judgment, and at the end of the day, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

But as I pointed out, there does have to be something to a piece of art or music that is appreciated by lots of people over several different generations and cultures. How is this even possible? Is it by chance that these same people like the same thing, or is there something more universal to the human experience that overrides our of individual tastes and personalities?

I totally agree that art is an expression. And it is uniquely human to express - no animals do this unless trained. And we do not live in a void - cultures all over the world are by their very definition groups of people, and our art can be and is enjoyed by one another.

When I play a song I've written for someone, I want them to love it. I want them to get the same enjoyment out of it that I do. When they do (and they don't always, sadly), then my joy in what I've done is heightened. I truly believe art is expression, but that it is also meant to be shared. Not everyone agrees, of course, but, hey, it's my opinion. :)