The Importance of Music: "Humans are a musical species"
Music
Music can move us to the heights or depths of emotion. It can persuade us to buy something, or remind us of our first date. It can lift us out of depression when nothing else can. It can get us dancing to its beat. But the power of music goes much, much further. Indeed, music occupies more areas of our brain than language does–humans are a musical species. - Oliver Sacks
I am trying to structure the first few posts of this blog in line with what you may be experiencing. I’ve talked to you about your mother and I will talk to you about your brother too. You are listening to all sorts of things inside her belly, and one of those things is music. So, lets talk about music.
It is hard not to agree with Oliver Sacks who says that we are a musical species. His book ‘Musicophilia’, and “This is your brain on music”, by Daniel Levitin, really got me thinking about music and what it means to people.
Your mother listens to music constantly. I used to know when she was home from work because I’d hear the music blasting from her car. By now, you’ve probably heard loads and loads of songs. One study says that adults hear around 3,500 songs a year. So, being inside your mothers belly means that you’re also listening to her music. In all fairness to her, she has a quality taste in music, its very similar to mine. The only type of music we dislike is Jungle music. Your mother, brother, and I were kept awake all night when we camped down her favourite beach by some idiots who put the same song on repeat for hours. It was enough to put me off the genre for life.
Music will regulate you, make you feel emotions, think of memories, plan ahead, take you to different places, and inspire you. I realised very late in life (Opsimath Dad) how important music was to me.
When I was a really young child, my mother and father had a vinyl player in the living room (What is vinyl?). I used to put ‘Sinnita - So Macho’ on repeat for hours. I’d place the needle on the vinyl and as the music played I’d pose as if I was the muscle, macho man she was singing about. Thinking about it, its probably one of the reasons I subconsciously go to the gym now! This little story reminds me of a time your brother and I were flexing in front of your mother while she laughed and took photos. It was so funny because he posed in a way that completely distorted his back and made him look ill. She must still have that photo. Anyway, have a listen to Sinnita and try to imagine me posing as a child.
I went to a rough school where playing an instrument was classed as ‘uncool’. The only things really accepted by the ‘cool’ kids was sport. I was too self-conscious to explore music as I didn’t want to be seen as a geek - which was strange because a lot of my close female friends were all musical. I just followed the status quo and listened to what everyone else was listening to.
I did however, start to take an interest in types of music that others didn’t. When I was in school, we used to listen to music on things called cassettes. We used to tape the radio and try and turn it off before the person started talking, the adverts came on, or my mother was screaming up the stairs to see why I was being so quiet.
I remember my mother giving me the Spice Girls album cassette for Christmas and I was gutted because I thought it was girls music. We will talk about this idea of girls vs boys in another link, but when it comes to most things, regardless of gender, it doesn’t matter what you like. In response to this, I then saved my money and bought myself my very first cassette. It was ‘Top Loader - Dancing in the Moonlight’ and I danced in my bedroom for hours. I only stopped when my father screamed "you're going to come through the ceiling" and turned it off!
Very quickly, cassettes were replaced by CD’s. This was where I found my love for Trance and House music. The first CD I bought myself was 'Fragma - Toca’s Miracle’ - which to this day, is a banger!
Every time I think of a period in my life, there is a song that is related to it. It wasn’t until my first night in University that I realised how little I had experienced music and what it had to offer. On the first night, I sat up talking to all of my new room mates. It was hilarious. We drank, chatted, sang and laughed. Then, one of the Irish boys put on Led Zeppelin. I couldn’t believe what I was listening to. This is where my music journey really began. From that point on, I wanted to hear every song ever made.
Here a few genres and songs that can get you started. Ask me, your mother, brother and others for more suggestions to explore.
Classical Music
I've put quite a few classical songs on this list because research shows how beneficial it is to babies. As you grow older, we can explore all the other genres and songs.
Dances with Wolves - The John Dunbar Theme. I just seem to love to cook to this song.
Adagio in D Minor
Cornfield Chase - Hans Zimmer
Time - Hans Zimmer
Melodrama - Andrea Bocelli
Yellow - City of Prague Orchestra
Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet
Spring 1 - Max Richter.
If your mother was a song, she'd this.
House Music
Reflect - Need to Feel Love. I loved this song well before I met your mother, but I have described it importance here.
“The sun is gonna keep on shining
Brighter days on the horizon
My love for you will keep on rising
Everything’s gonna be alright”
Alive - Chase and Status. I used to have this played as my ring entrance and walk towards my opponent as the music dropped.
Sunshine - Tieks. My friend and I flew to Amsterdam and cycled the whole way home, sleeping in fields. This was the summer song and was played so much that it will always remind me of that amazing trip.
Pop Music, Rock and Indie Rock
Ben Howard - Old Pine
This is my favourite song of all time. It reminds me of growing up, growing old and everything in between. The lyrics of this song literally create a video of memories in my head that run like a movie. I think about all of the time I spent exploring, camping on a beach and exploring woods. It reminds me of all the summers spent in Tenby with my best mate Steve, all the journeys I've been on where I've slept rough in the countryside or city to get hime. It also makes me think if all the adventures I'm going to go on (hopefully with you).
His album - Kingdom is well worth a listen.
Hounds of Love - Futureheads. Although the original by Kate Bush is also class, this version will always remind me of travelling to and from away games with my rugby team.
In my Life - The Beatles. This is a great example of how you can write a song that will remind you of your entire life in just three minuets. Im always fascinated by how someone can write a song, short story, meme, or poem that sums up everything you have ben trying to say, in a small amount of words.
Squeeze Box - The Who. Reminds me of being in the rugby club. This was my go to song to sing.
Happier - Bastille. I originally loved this track for nothing more than the way it sounded and how amazing it would feel to sing it on the top of my voice when driving.
So, the things I can teach you from this:
- Whilst your mother has a great taste in music, don’t punch and kick her insides when she plays the same song 30 times in a row. She has a habit of finding a song and playing it on repeat for days. Don’t worry, it will soon be over.
- Explore everything. In the beginning, you may love nursery rhymes and the keyboard toys you are given. Then, as you experience more things, listen to more things. You don’t have to put yourself in a box like I did.
- Don’t worry about being "cool". Its a ridiculous concept. You like what you like, and that’s enough. If you like it, thousands of other people also like it. Most of the 'cool' kids got on drugs; were pregnant early; had rubbish jobs; or were sent to prison. So, take it from me, its not that great to be 'cool'.
- Your gender shouldn't have any impact on what music you like. Im telling you now, there are thousands of men out there that love to sing and dance to this song about Barbie, for example:
- Start to write down your favourite tracks and why you love them. Music is a fantastic reminder of memories. I can’t wait to see you dance for the first time and sing with you.
- If you want to learn to play an instrument, then lets do it. We can start by banging pots and pans and clapping.
- Sing your heart out as loud as you want. Any song, any time, anywhere. Just sing. Notice how good it makes you feel.
- Some songs will make you feel happy, others sad. Whatever mood you are in, you can echo that mood by the music you play. You can even challenge the mood by playing the opposite music to your mood.
- If you can't communicate to me what you are thinking and feeling, send me a song that sounds or feels the way you do, and we will work it out from there.
- Write. Sometimes other peoples lyrics seem to express exactly what I’m trying to say. Maybe have a go and write something. See what you come up with.
- Dance. Dance crazy; dance slowly; dance for fun; dance to express yourself. Your mother and I went to a few dancing lessons. I was awful. She was much better. I remember the first time I told her I loved her was during some latin routine we were trying to nail.
- Search and read about music. This may be a good place to start
- Overall, be yourself. love what you love; like what you like. Challenge your tastes and opinions by listening to others and by asking questions. You are special and your opinions and likes are also special.
