Have you ever stopped and thought what your life would be like without music? What would the world be like without music? Sometimes it’s easier to see how important something is to us by imagining to what extent our lives would be affected without it.
Music is a way to express feelings. When you fall in love, the kind of music you’d listen to would be all about love. When you’re sad, you would go for music that is melancholic in nature and immerse yourself in your sadness. When you’re happy, you’d choose songs with happy tunes.
I once saw a TV documentary on the role of music for people with failing memory. What was so amazing was that some of the subjects in the documentary – people with Alzheimer’s which is a degenerative disease that impairs the brain – would remember details about songs they were familiar with.
For example, an elderly woman who couldn’t even remember her husband’s name would remember the details of her favorite song; when it was played, how it made her feel and things about the song that made it especially memorable for her. It was a powerful documentary and I came away feeling awed by the power of music.
How about music that unites people for a cause and changes the world? Do you all know that famous “Heal the World” song by Michael Jackson and some of the biggest names in the music industry? Its lyrics: “Heal the world; make it a better place, for you and for me, and the entire human race. There are people dying, if you care enough for the living, make a better place for you and for me”. It is a special song indeed. And I wish there were more songs that could strike deep chords within all of us to do something for the common good. For me, Michael Jackson will remain a legendary figure who enthralled the world with his creations.
What about you? What kind of music do you like? Have you thought about why you like a particular style or the artist that brings it to you?
The popular Miley Cyrus sang a song about climbing up a mountain to realize your dreams; I thought it contained some pretty powerful lyrics. The fact that it was a teen idol singing was important to note as she has many fans who follow her newest releases. Many young people don’t know what they want to achieve and thus have no ambitions whatsoever. I think having such a role model helps young people get motivated. I hope many more teen idols will release inspiring songs.
A lot of hip-hop artists have traveled far from where they started. Their music is a special genre indeed and appeals to many young people. I think if their songs contained better lyrics (and were not just full of curses), they would be able to function as positive role models for our current Generation X who are technologically savvy and inquisitive.
I’d like to know more about the kind of music and artists you like and reasons you like them or their music. Can you write and tell me? I look forward to reading about your favorite music and artists.
Till the next edition,
Livia
