What is music? By definition, it is: 1. “The art of arranging sounds in time to produce a composition through the elements of melody, harmony, and timbre. 2 . Vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.” Music is one of the universal cultural aspects of all human society, and that is why I’d like to write today about the universal language of music and how it brings people together.
One of the best things to come from the summer of 2021 was the return of live music. Not all artists returned to the stage this year, but there was enough live music to get out there and enjoy one of the best things summer has to offer….live outdoor music! Whether you were out listening to your favorite local bands on a patio, attending a music festival, or in a larger arena listening to your favorite artist, music definitely made a comeback!
A much-needed comeback. After more than a year of shutdowns, mandates, and sacrifices, we needed to feel some sense of normalcy this summer. We needed something to bring us together. Music, after all, is the medium that unites us. People from all backgrounds, cultures, and interests can find common ground and enjoyment in music. Travel to any country, and you will hear music as an expression of their culture and their identity. We may not understand the language, but we feel what the music is saying. Music brings people together and actually plays a role in bringing about social closeness through the release of endorphins. We know this of course from Woodstock, Lollapalooza, and every major country superfest!
That’s because music moves us on every level. When we hear music, it enters our brains and then moves through our bodies. It creates a feeling or a response inside us. We either like that song or choose another. Research says we actually have a dedicated part of our brain for processing music. In fact, I guess you could say we are pre-wired for music. It is meant to play a role somehow in our lives. We know, for instance, that many Alzheimer’s patients can recall lyrics and melodies even though they can no longer remember or recognize their loved ones. When our memories begin to fail us, music is usually one of the last things we forget. Sometimes we even listen to music when we study because it can help us retain information, particularly classical music. How many of us can remember lyrics to a song we haven’t heard in five years but can’t remember the name of that new restaurant we tried last week? Once we hear the melody, it all comes back to us.
Music is so powerful that it can engage all of our emotions, be it joy, sadness, grief, confusion, heartbreak, sorrow, or ecstasy. We listen to music when we celebrate and we listen to music when we mourn. Music allows us to identify what we are feeling and relate it to a song. Sometimes the music says the things we cannot say for ourselves. If you want to really get to know someone, a friend once told me, ask them what their favorite songs are. Those songs will give you a window into their soul. That’s pretty profound when you think about it. Some people say music touches our souls in a very deep and meaningful way because as humans, we are poetic and relational, and we relate the songs to the rhythm of life. Often as our lives go through different seasons, so does our taste in music evolve to correlate with the period we are in. A well-written song is actually very poetic. The lyrics can transcend time and apply to a large segment of the population. There are several songs I can think of that were written decades ago whose lyrics are maybe more meaningful today than they were then.
Some days I need the music and some days I need the lyrics.
Sometimes music is therapy. When we want to be alone or need some quiet time, what better way to relax & reflect than listening to the playlist that speaks to what we need at the moment? Music helps us decompress and process our feelings. Conversely, music can also be a great motivator with that killer playlist we need to power through another workout or cardio session. I know I cannot run even a mile without my music propelling me through. That’s because I take my mind off running and actually just focus on the music and it’s the music that carries me through the workout.
If we thought about it, each one of us could probably write a playlist of our favorite songs that would be the soundtrack of our life. I know for myself, I can hear a certain song and immediately be transported back to a place in time. We connect our memories through music. One of my favorite artists, Kenny Chesney, says it best with his lyrics to ” I Go Back” when he says “We all have a song that somehow stamped our lives. Takes us to another place in time….”. My soundtrack would be composed of several songs by Kenny Chesney because his lyrics resonate with me. My playlist would also include songs by The Michael Standley Band, Harry Connick Jr., The Eagles, Pink Floyd, and a mix of artists from the 70’s to today. Certain songs take me right back to 1986, Daytona Beach Spring Break. Others remind me of the old juke box in my Dad’s bar. Some remind me of a specific person and some remind me of a moment in time. I don’t think it was a coincidence that on my 40th birthday, the Toby Keith song “As Good as I Once Was” kept coming on every time I changed the station in my car! I also remember driving to the attorney’s office on my way to sign my divorce papers in 2012 when Keny Chesney & Dave Matthews serenaded me with “I’m Alive” The lyrics to that song are profound for me. It was the perfect song at the perfect time….“Today’s the first day of the rest of my life and I’m alive, and well…” Say no more.
Whatever your genre of choice is, I’m sure you can relate to what I’m saying. Music is an important part of our culture. From weddings to funerals to nightclubs, music brings people together. It breaks down barriers. It starts conversations. It punctuates relationships. It helps us forget our troubles and allows us to connect with our true selves. It truly is the universal language that everyone speaks. I encourage everyone to take a break today, channel The Doobie Brothers and Listen to the Music!
