I love music. Who doesn't love music? I'm sure there's someone out there who hasn't found the right song yet, but aside from that person and the countless people that would argue with me just to do so, I think I can safely say that music is inherent to the human soul. Let's be clear, I'm not talking "religious" soul. You can call it that if you want but I'm talking about the all-encompassing soul that makes everyone, regardless of religion, race, creed, sexuality, or gender, uniquely human. We need music; we thrive on it; we're made better by it.
What got me thinking about this was how the music we listen to fits the mood we're in at that moment. Right now, I'm listening to an orchestral meditation track that allows me to write freely without interruption by lyrics that could influence which words I use or which sentiment I want to convey. It's what I listen to almost every time I write and as soon as I hear this song, my mind immediately goes to writing.
When I want to get into a party mood, I listen to Rita Ora's "Party & Bullsh*t" song. My fiancee laughs at me because when I'm feeling in a happy mood, I listen to tweeny-bopper pop songs. I call them my "happy songs." That's what they are to me, they are happy to listen to - just don't pay attention to the lyrics too much and you can stay just as blissfully happy as I am ("Call me maybe" anyone?)
Thousands upon thousands of songs, all for very very different moods. The most poignant song for me is "Memory" from Cats. Why? Because I must have listened to this song a hundred times by now and yet I still can't remember the lyrics to save my life. If you told me to sing it right now, I could hum the melody but do little more. (Yes, I'm not lost on the irony that the song is called "Memory" and yet I can't remember the lyrics.) Why does this song affect me as it does? I'd like to think that it's because I don't want to remember the lyrics. I'd like to think that not knowing which verse comes next makes it all the more powerful. That song is a true testament of the genius that can go into song-writing.
Now, I may never be a great lyricist or great song-writer, or even performer (though if I'm doing karaoke I'm going to rock the house as always) but I can be a great song appreciator. We can all be for that matter, because with so many different songs, styles, formats, artists, genres, etc. out there, what's not to appreciate?
I'd love to hear from you out there. What's your favorite song? Why do you listen to it and how does it speak to you?
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