Is music powerful? I can’t answer for everyone else, but personally I feel very strongly in the power of music. It isn’t because I simply like hearing the beats or lyrics of a song, but rather how it affects my emotions – for better or worse. I have always been somewhat of a music fanatic; I love listening to all sorts of songs ranging from Led Zeppelin to Coldplay to some more “off the radar” tunes such as “Someday Soon” by the Doves. Listening to music for the sake of just hearing pleasing tones isn’t all there is to a song. Rather, the melodies, lyrics and tones of music are just the start and combined can have a profound impact on how I feel, act and think.
Trying to find common ground with others on this idea is not easy, mainly because each person in the world is an individual and has their own likes and dislikes in music. I can never get enough of music because not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but it has a deep impact and can resonate with who I am as an individual. When I’m listening to a great song, it taps into my soul. This is where the power of music lies. It touches me in a way that is specific and special to whom I am as a person.
I think it is incredible that music can stimulate thoughts, memories and emotions that pertain specifically to one person. The best example I can think of is how I feel about my little brother Ian. Ian is only six. But regardless of the age discrepancy, I feel as strongly connected to him or more so than any other sibling. Music has the power to remind me of him, and also help me deal with the fact that I can’t always be with him. “Send Me on My Way” by Rusted Root is one of the songs that reminds me of him. It’s his favorite song and one of mine as well, and it was one we listened to together a lot before I left for college. It’s a bittersweet song because as much as I like it, it makes me miss my little brother so much. He’s only six and it makes me sad to think I won’t be there all the time to watch him get bigger. I feel like I’m missing out on being in his life.
This past Christmas, it really got to me that I wouldn’t be with my family. I thought my brother was too young to understand, and would probably be too excited about presents to think about me; after all he is only six. I found out that this wasn’t the case. On Christmas morning, as my family was all gleeful, and opening their presents, my little brother, an innocent little kid, not even old enough to walk himself to school, picked up his gift for me, and started to cry. He wasn’t laughing and excited…he was distraught. When my mom asked why, she told me he said: “I guess Austen won’t be here to open my present…” You know, it’s a hard pill to swallow when you realize that you are not going to be able to be as big a part of someone’s life as you would like. Luckily, I’ve always been able to find a song to help me out with feeling down. There were a lot of songs I listened to that mirrored my own emotion. They acted almost like a melodic sympathizer. That’s why music can be so powerful. There’s no other form of art or any coping method short of seeing my brother in person that can help me get through missing him. Music strikes deeply similar notes with my own personal emotions – making it truly powerful. It helps me handle the longing to see my brother in a way specific to me, and based on what I need.
I really find it amazing how powerful a song can affect me. Listening to music about missing someone or leaving a loved one can bring me back to a sad memory - like this past Christmas. But at the same time, a song about hope, strength or even a song just reminding me of good times can make me calm, happy and hopeful. You see music to me is not simply a harmony of notes and rhyming words. It’s a collection of memories and emotions, waiting to wash over me.