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Music

Casey Ayer

Kaplan University
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“We all have a song that somehow stamped our lives

Takes us to another place and time.” –Kenny Chesney

Music in different forms has been with man for much of his history. There is evidence

that music was played more than 4,000 years ago. “In 1945, various groups of Americans were at

least exposed to and sometimes actively and consciously listened to recorded music from

traditions other than their own, experiences in sound that broadened their awareness of other

musical sensibilities and created a basis for shared popular musical memories (Kenney, 1999,

p.182).” Music has been created and used for pleasure, distraction, and for therapy. Music is said

to be the universal language, for it crosses all international and cultural boundaries. Everyone

enjoys music in one form or another for the sounds which creates what is music to us. It is

something that is unique to each listener. There are so many different tastes in music, and it

offers something for everyone.

I can remember dancing around to Madonna in my room. Every time I see her on

television, or hear her on the radio, I remember my younger days. I have always been very

passionate about music. Back then, I didn’t know that Madonna would be the huge icon that she

is now. I also flashback to my childhood when I hear older country music, such as Randy Travis,

I think about my parents and how they used to be so in love when I was a child. It makes me

think of a simpler time, before I had so many responsibilities. My teachers also used song in

school to teach us the months of the year, our ABC’s, and much more. I learned at an early age

that music is fun!

I started listening to more rock n’ roll when I became a teenager. I was breaking away from

my parents and getting ready for my role as an adult. I became more responsible and got a job. I
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also started dating and learning about heartbreak. These new feelings and emotions came out

through Metallica and Faith Hill, as I learned what life was all about. “Rock is especially popular

because it emphasizes the musical intervals whose frequency relationships are those we hear in

the human speech,” said Dale Purves, Ph.D., professor of neurobiology at Duke University and

director of the Duke-NUS Neuroscience Program in Singapore. “That’s one of the reasons

people like it so much.” I never had any problems fitting in, but I was a little rebellious against

my parents because I thought that they only wanted to control me.

I use music as an outlet. I think that it is a true outlet for the soul. I listen to music more

than I watch television. I listen to upbeat music to power my workouts. I listen to country during

the day while I am going about my daily routine. I think that country teaches my children about

life and love more realistically than any other form of music. When I am feeling sad, I may listen

to Norah Jones or Sarah Bareilles, they always help me feel better. I love David Grey every now

and then, when I am feeling lost or out of love. When I am stressed or unable to sleep, I like to

listen to slow songs that can calm me down.

All music brings me happiness. I enjoy many different styles and my mood dictates what I

listen to on a particular day. When I am said, music lifts me up. When I feel like I am at the end

of my rope, it gives me hope. When I am stressed, it reminds me off all the wonderful blessings

in my life. It teaches me tolerance, love, hope, acceptance, and so much more. Music is inspired

by good things and bad. After the towers fell, music helped to empower our nation. When

earthquakes or other disasters happen, music helps us to join hands and fight for a better future.

Music makes memories and brings joy to our lives. It always reminds us of a special person or

place in time. Music is all around us and without it, “we exist at the mercy of audio pollution as

damaging to mental health as air and water pollution are damaging to physical health (Altshuler
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& Janero, 2009, p.171).” We use it to teach, learn, inspire, motivate, feel, praise, relax, and so

much more. Music has a theme in different parts of our lives, and helps to guide us on our path.

In such a self-constructed world, we would need no truth or falsehood, good or evil, pain or joy.

Music, in this unpleasant view, would serve as a fine escape from tiresome thoughts.
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References

Altshuler, T. & Janaro, R. (2009). The art of being human: The humanities as a technique for

living. New York, NY. Longman: Pearson Education, Inc.

Kenney, W. (1999). Recorded music in american life: The phonograph and popular memory,

1890-1945. New York Oxford University Press.