The Music Speaks To My Soul

I have never met a person who disliked music. Yes, everyone has a preference in musical styles, but I have yet to meet someone who dislikes ALL forms of music. I myself enjoy an array of musical groupings. While I have my favorite genres, I can appreciate songs/artists from most categories of music.

Fun fact: A study done by Dean Shibata, MD from the University of Washington, suggests the experience deaf people have when ‘feeling‘ music is similar to the experience other people have when hearing music.” The hearing impaired can enjoy music by feeling the vibrations within their body. The brain actually processes the musical vibrations in the same area someone hearing the music would. I thought this was pretty cool information.

Music can stir emotion within everyone; isn’t that fantastic?

I like anything from classical piano to Ja Rule. Mostly, I enjoy alternative punk bands (nowadays known as Emo) but I have days where I need to belt out lyrics relating to my mood. For example, I tend to play Tom Petty or Sugarland when I’m in a calm and happy mood. Jennifer Nettles voice could soothe anyone. I listen to sillier songs, like Me Too by Meghan Trainor, or literally anything by P!nk, when I am in a fun mood. Last year, I found myself listening to the album After The Laughter by Paramore. My favorite song to repeat over and over was Fake Happy. One day I realized I was “fake happy”. I spent my days plastering on a fake smile while dying inside. The lyrics were spot on with my mood and it was then I realized how often my choices in music were affected by my mood.

Listening to music helps lift my mood. Even my bad moods are made a little better by a few good songs. Lately, I have been dealing with upsetting emotions caused my asshole of a narcissistic mother. Because of her, I have been listening to the album Rainbow by Kesha. The first song, Bastards, is a fun song that empowers me. My favorite verse goes “Been underestimated my entire life. I know people gonna talk shit and darling that’s fine. But they won’t break my spirit, I wont let em win. I’ll just keep on living.” Great lyrics. I always tell myself I won’t let my mother break me. Sometimes I struggle with my strength and this song reminds me of how powerful I am.

The second song from Kesha’s Rainbow album is Let ‘Em Talk. Basically, the gist of this song is as the title implies. Do you and let ’em all talk…I have been learning to let go and not care what my mother says. She is out of my life and she can say what she wants. Her lies won’t affect me if I don’t let them. Which brings me to song number six on the album, Learn to Let Go. Part of the verse- “The past can’t haunt me if I don’t let it. Live and learn and never forget it. Learn to let go.” Seriously, great advice! Another great line from Learn to Let Go…”Life ain’t always fair, but hell is living in resentment. Choose redemption, your happy ending’s up to you.” Speaks volumes, right?

While I love the songs I’ve mentioned already, my two favorite songs from the album are Praying and Rainbow. Praying (number five on the album) is my favorite. The first verse is amazing…”Well, you almost had me fooled. Told me that I was nothing without you. Oh, but after everything you’ve done, I can thank you for how strong I have become.” Wow…and the song just gets better from there. I love to belt out these lyrics and remind myself that I am stronger because of my struggles. Rainbow (number 8) is similar because it is about overcoming anything. Kesha said this song was a promise to herself that things would get better. I think Rainbow is a beautiful song, and the lyrics are worth a listen.

Don’t let the bastards get you down. Don’t let the assholes wear you out!- Kesha

While Kesha’s Rainbow album fits what I am going through today, I have had other songs that I have used to get me through other tough times. Before my divorce, when times were bad with my husband, I played Redundant by Greenday. My first husband was controlling like my mother. He lied and controlled me using manipulation. When I would become upset, he would promise change. He would swear he would be better because he loved me and he needed me. Things would always turn back to how they were before and I felt stuck. The lyrics to Redundant spoke to me back then. I listened to the song over and over on my way to work and I usually cried the whole time I was singing along. I felt like the “production line going over and over and over” just like Billie Joe sang. I listened to this song even after I filed for divorce. The words reminded me why I couldn’t take him back, no matter how often he begged me to. Leaving him was hard. I had to learn to not fall for his manipulation and Greenday got me through.

The way music can affect our emotions and speak to us individually is incredible. I have spent the majority of my life listening to music. I got my first Walkman and a Garth Brooks tape when I was seven and I have been playing music almost constantly since. I would play music from the time I got home from school until I left for school the following morning. Music helped to overcome the loneliness I felt as a child and the heartaches I have had as an adult. Music has always been important to me.

Maybe you like some of the songs I have mentioned, maybe you don’t? Maybe you have never heard of them before? No matter the circumstances, I bet you have at least one song that speaks to your soul. One song that recalls a memory, makes you smile, makes you cry, or even makes you dance. One song that is special to you. Maybe you have special songs for each mood, like I have? Maybe it is an entire album causing a bit of the feels in you? Whatever your case may be, feel the beat and the words as they stir you. Allow the music to lift you up and empower you. But above anything else, just ENJOY!