 Ever since I was a kid, music has been magical for me. As the youngest of four siblings with a range of 15 years in age, I was exposed to an awesome variety of musical genres. My Mother, born and raised in Washington GA brought the melodic tunes of country and western harmonies to our home from my earliest memories. My Father, with a traditional Italian upbringing, added his love of such classics as Frank Sinatra, Henri Mancini and Burt Bacharach. For me, music has a way of provoking my thoughts. I remember studying a phenomena where listening to complex music, such as a Mozart sonata could stretch our thinking, much like physical exercise does to our bodies. Research has even found that our right brained thinking (the part of us that likes to reason) may even improve after listening to some music?! This Mozart effect, as it is called, is believed to be responsible, at least in part, for improved concentration, intuition, intelligence and even healing. In any event, I know it certainly gets me in the mindset to think. Music inspires a range of feelings in me. I can identify a specific song with precisely what was happening in my life the first moment I heard it. I reach for certain songs when I am in a particular mood. I listen closely to lyrics and sounds, deriving much comfort, happiness, diversion, really most any mood that is being expressed through the artist. Music is timeless. I teared up when my nephew and his bride recently danced as 'man and wife' to this sentimental doo-wap song from 1955 - the year my brother (Jared's dad!) was but one year old. Ironically, Jared was just about one year old when my husband and I married in 1987.  Jared & Jenne The Harptones: Life Is But A DreamMusic is energy and joy. Jared and Jenne knew the perfect song to get the dance party started - sixty years older than the last and hardly doo-wop. Listen to this and I guarantee you'll be dancing too - even if in your seat...! Walk The Moon: Shut Up And Dance With MeMusic makes me laugh. Music makes me cry. Music makes it all better. And yes, music inspires me. Check out May's Inspiration Station where I explain my What Do You Say? idea and share Mike Friedman's musings on the matter of music. I recently asked some other family, friends and colleagues if and what kind of music inspired them. Here's what I have to report, so far:
Wow, I declare I have some cool folks in my circle... I love all of these answers! How about you...let me know in the comment section or contact me for a questionnaire to weigh in on this and my other questions... to be featured in future posts. ShoutOutsUntil next week, keep a song in your heart and a dance to your step,
mar
18 Comments
How true that music can lift the spirits and raise our awareness, memories and energy. I remember doing the ironing to a selection of Country & Western music on our reel to reel tape player as a kid. We knew every word and belted out the songs to the rhythm of the steam. Like you, a song can instantly take me back to the era and memories of the time. Love your music selections. P
Your comment has conjured up memories of 'little mar' ironing (I can hear you all laughing) my Dad's handkerchiefs to the sounds of "Band of Gold" by Freda Payne and "You Can't Hurry Love" by the Supremes, dear Peg. 5/18/2016 10:30:51 am
I used to work with a transplant tech that would share stories with the rest of the team about where he was, what he was doing the first time he heard a song, or when it first became popular among the oldies classics. His memories were interesting, especially those associated with the Viet Nam War Era.
Dear Maria, First let me congratulate Jared and Jenne, a beautiful couple! I think you are aware of the music I like, which is everything, including some RAP. My favorite is anything Elvis sings. Eric Chapman's ' My Father's Eyes brings me to tears each time I hear it. Joe Cocker's A Little Help From My Friends. Whitney Houston's ' I Want To Dance With Somebody. Don Henley's Ain't No Mountain High Enough. Little Richard's I Feel Good. I could go on forever, but I'll close with anything Michael Jackson, George Jones, Kenny Rogers, Janis Joplin, Jerry Lee, Vince Gill, and The Rolling Stones, are all great. This was fun. Thank you my dear, sweet, friend..
Thanks for gracing my comment section with this AWESOME artists and their songs, dear Ruby.
Mike
5/19/2016 10:13:59 am
Hello mar. Congratulations to the bride and groom. I hope you danced at the wedding and make the new bride welcome at all the family get togethers. Celebrating life!
Maria, Yes, I'm with you in all you've said about music. I can credit music as having been a huge part of my childhood & home life. I grew up listening to and appreciating the music of my parents and that of my sister, 5 years my senior.....quite a span of years and I learned to love it all. The Big Band Era is so very nostalgic to me. It brings me to my imagining of my Mother and father meeting and falling in love. My Dad was a musician, he played sax....Mom fell head over heels with the cute guy in the band!! LOL But not nearly as hard as Dad fell for her! (as told by him!)...
Dear Mareer,
Shauna
6/16/2016 11:21:31 am
I love this, Mar. I cannot survive without music in my life. Even at work I stream Pandora. I have a variety of choices on my "station". From Bob Seger to The Eagles, Charlie Daniels, Sawyer Fredericks, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Beatles, Neil Young, Motown sounds, Simon and Garfunkel, Carol King and so much more. Music motivates me. As you say, music touches all of my emotions and sparks memories at the same time. Gotta have it. Can't live without it! Leave a Reply. |
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