Story Weekend: What Does Music Mean to You?
That questions needs no embellishment from me. Can’t wait to see your stories!
If you’re new to Story Weekend, here’s how it works: I pick a theme and you share something from your life that relates to that theme, however you interpret it. Thanks to all of you who’ve been contributing. As always, there are a few “rules”:
▪ The story must be true
▪ Try to keep it under 100 words. Embrace the challenge! That’s about six or seven lines in the comment form. I want others to read your story, and most people tend to skip if it’s too long. I know how tough it is to “write tight” but I hope you’ll accept this as a challenge.
What Music means to me:
Music has always been a very important part of my life. Can’t carry a tune in a bucket but I sure try. Musical selections sang at Weddings and Funerals will always hold special memories. Love Songs with my love of 36 years will always be dear to my heart. I can usually name a song in just a few notes. Lyrics are very special to me. Amazing Grace says it all!
Music rules my life as I see it as poetry holding hands and singing. I tend to think in song lyrics to questions asked. Have sought solace in it’s words, have wandered in it’s melodies and have written a song for a band that was played on the Space Shuttle Endeavour while it orbited the earth a few years ago.A few years ago we travelled to New York to gather at John Lennon’s memorial on the anniversary of his birthday and sang Beatles songs long into the night surrounded by paupers and princes dripping in mink stoles and diamonds. There was no class distinction there, only the magic of the music joining us as one. I have already chosen the songs to be played at my passing as that is to personal for anyone else to know what rhythm my heart beats to,Music. The universal language. May we all know the words to all the songs of life.
Music puts feeling into sound. It’s a great way to express emotions that are hard to find words for. I love classic music with the crescendos and the cadence. Like scent, music has an uncanny ability to transport you back in time – to a moment with great meaning, a childhood memory, the first dance with your sweetheart, the lullaby sung to a child. Music is a way to put freedom to feelings. It’s a universal truth. Music is an experience with as much variety and interpretation. It’s a beautiful form of expression.
Music is memories – good and bad. It is a way to relieve my pain and express my feelings. I use music when I have a tough job to do as it can make me forget pain for a short time. I sing when I am happy, sing when I am sad. Music brings friends and acquaintances together and bridges both age gaps and race gaps. Watch people smile when “Don’t worry – Be Happy” plays on the radio. Enjoy watching people laughing at the Chicken Dance at a wedding although they all claim to hate the song. The world would be a better place if we could all sing a song together.
Kelly, You are absolutely right…Everyone loves to dance to the chicken song..because it is a fun song and the only time you can act goofy and fit in with everyone else. 🙂
Music to me is remembered through experiences I’ve had. The most emotional song is “Please Remember Me” by Tim McGraw. My dad was recouperating from pneumonia in a nursing home close to where I live. He was 86yrs old, but had a memory that is far better than mine is today. He reminded me of Archie Bunker. Oh my, sometimes it was embarrassing but I had to laugh. He sure would speak his mind. Of course he watched “All in the Family” and laughed so hard. I always wondered if he saw himself in that character.
He was doing better for awhile but his health took a turn for the worse. I was with him all the time for the 4 weeks he was there. At this point, he was dying and I knew it. So did he. He spoke til his last breath like he was fine.
After his last breath was taken, and it was time for me to leave, I was in the car, radio blasting, crying and the song “Please Remember Me” came on. I said, “I will dad. No doubt about that” It seemed like that song played more than ever. I don’t know if it’s because of the sentimental value I connected with it, or they just played it a lot. After 14yrs since he passed, that song still holds a special spot in my heart.
A beautiful memory, Deb.
Music is one of my favorite things. When growing up I had five older sisters and they always had the radio or record player (as we called it in my day) going. So I learnt many of the pop songs of the mid to late 40s. When I was in my elementary school days, each day we were asked to share something if we wanted to. Guess what I would share? I would get up and sing one of the popular songs of that time period. Now I would be much to shy to sing in front of a group, although I love to sing along when I’m invited to a karaoke party, I can’t carry a tune, but I can sing loud.
Music is in the background of our lives. Have you ever watched a movie without music? The music helps to alert us to the flavor of the scenes. If you get the wrong music for the scene, you lose some of the feeling that was meant to be. All through our lives when we recall certain periods of time and the memories that are attached to it, a song will play in our minds. Music will bring tears, laughter, tapping toes, and people together. Song writers put the words to the music and it creates a story. Some how it comes into your life and we make it our own story. Without it, I believe our lives would feel as meaningless as that movie that is sans music.
There was a time in my life when I was suffering from depression that I couldn’t listen, it was almost painful. I am glad that I am over that now and I can enjoy it again. One of my quirks, is that when I hear a phrase or a combination of words, I will break out in a song that matches… I thought I was the only one…No I am not alone in “Crazy”… And when I hear music that I like, I will jump up and do a little Ellen like dance..If you ever saw me do it, you might be a little confused about the Ellen part, as I cannot dance any better than I sing 🙂
Ah the Ellen dance. I do that too….shhh don’t tell
Music is the background of my life at a particular place in time. Everytime I hear a popular song, I remember where I was the first time I heard it. For example, Muskrat Love by Captain and Tennille came out when I had graduated from high school and enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed in Mississippi. I was 17, and it was my first time living on my own, and I was very homesick.
Music…….
evokes memories
builds bridges
unites generations
transcends class, race and religion
heals hurt
embraces individuality
absorbs fear and anxiety
communicates without language
knows no barriers or boundaries
………………and is capable of lifting the lowest of spirits!
Music was special to me starting in 7th grade when my sister and I started taking accordion lessons. Through high school we played duets at our class assemblies. College took up much time so I put my instrument away for a decade at which time I started up lessons again and participated in local contests. I won a few trophies. I have always liked a lot of different kinds of music.
Ah music! liquid words.
Music coming from the little radio on my nightstand is one of my earliest memories. I couldn’t go to sleep without it. It gave me comfort.
Playing clarinet in the junior high school band gave me the sense of belonging to something bigger than myself.
So many songs send me straight back to high school and college where music was ever present.
Music: I can’t imagine life without it.
MUSIC -Helps when I am sad Helps when I am happy! I love to sing silly made up songs to my grandchildren -they make up silly songs for me too!
Good music can bring generations closer together. I grew up listening to The Beach Boys. When my son was three years old (nearly 30 years ago), I had the opportunity to take him to a Beach Boys concert at Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ. He loved it. This year he took me to a Beach Boys concert at the Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ. And now my grandson, who is three years old, loves watching the 50th Anniversary DVD and sings along and dances to the music. Great music, whether it be rock, folk, classical or country, is something all ages can appreciate. Just like great literature.
For me music means memory. It brings back whatever I was feeling or doing when I first listened to that song, and it’s so powerful.