There were a couple of times over the Thanksgiving break that I was reminded of the power that music has over our emotions. They made me reflect upon different occasions in my life that I have been "moved," so to speak. I've been to jazz concerts where I couldn't stop smiling and I wanted to go home and listen to more. I've been to symphony halls where I couldn't feel myself because I was so lost in what was going on. After seeing uplifting movies on the big screen, I always walk out with my head held higher and feeling ten times taller as the mighty movie score is playing. Singing hymns has usually had the power to cheer me up whenever I'm sad. And then, there's the music that can move you to tears...
That's what happened this week. I took a friend to a favorite pretty spot of mine where I had been sad once upon a time. For some reason, there was some really pretty piano music playing in the car as I began to tell the story. I couldn't finish it before we both began to shed tears.
I've discovered that I have to be careful with music like that. There are songs that if played when I'm in a blue mood will invoke crying no matter what. That song normally wouldn't have made me cry, but given proper circumstance (like a painful memory) it did. I've been on the verge of tears all day today. As a result, I didn't listen to any music by choice. On days like today, I can't listen to Regina Spektor, or Sissel, or Phil Collins (ha!), or Tchaikovsky (however you spell that), or Josh Rouse, or Mason Jennings, or the Chipmunks (just kidding...wait, maybe not..) or...wow, the list is quite long.
So...what are your thoughts? What music do you like to listen to when you're happy? When you're sad? What's your song of the day? What did you have for breakfast this morning?
7 comments:
Music definitely affects me. But all music seems to cheer me up, even if it's Ray Charles singing "Busted." Well, the music I listen to, anyway...
I don't exactly listen to Metallica or hard rock. That kind of music makes me disoriented, and I think that's a bad thing.
Music can, and often does, make me cry. Beulah has lately made me very happy. The Jackson 5 makes me happy. Mates of State, oddly enough, make me happy. Certain Josh Rouse songs make me happy, and others make me sad. It is a twisted, twisted world.
I can cry very easily when listening to beautiful piano music-- especially when it's from Finding Neverland. Sometimes Michael Buble even makes me sad. It just depends on where I am and who I am listening with.
I know of one situation and several songs that make me cry all the time. But I shall not name them here.
I had toast with cinnamon and sugar on it this morning. And hot chocolate.
It was delicious.
i listen to slipknot and system of a down when i'm angry. i listen to the mars volts when i'm mellow, i listen to punk and ska music when i have lots of energy, i listen to system of the down when i'm sad...happy....wait, i just listen to them all the time...
the chili peppers when i'm at work, and mindless self indulgence when i'm driving. and death cab for cutie when i want to cry or reflect on life.
i had oatmeal for breakfast. yay for trying to be healthy :-)
music definitely has an effect on my life. when i go out running, i always listen to upbeat music, and it helps me keep up my pace! my mother is a music teacher and i play the piano, so i love music!
Don't be sad, Brittany. Try listening to Al Green's cover of "I Want to Hold Your Hand."
I was reading some of our past emails the other day. Too, too funny.
Hope all's well.
Currently I love listening to the Hairspray soundtrack when I'm happy. It makes me want to break out into song and dance wherever I go. The hymns are probably one of the few songs that can make me cry. My song of the day is "Blue Rondo a la Turk" from Dave Brubeck(I'm on a Jazz kick right now) And of course I had cereal for breakfast this morning and every morning.
p.s I blogged again. It's a January miracle I know!
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