Music: A Never Ending Love

When this blog was started, I was not sure whether or not to participate. However, after taking a quick glance at the blog and reading a few posts, the choice was clear. Even after hearing that it would be international, I was surprised when I saw posts that were written by other IB students on the other side of the globe. I suddenly felt the need to interact with this international community that we are all a part of. The next step was to decide what to write about. Being more inclined in Math and Science, I saw many challenges awaiting me in the future of my blogging. After brainstorming for a few minutes, I decided that I should write about something that I find appealing. I made a list in my head, and as I did so I had a wonderful idea. I was listening to the music coming out of the speakers of my computer.

Music is a beautiful sound to my ear. It calms me in stressful times, encourages me when discouraged, builds me up before a race, starts off a morning, and tops off a great day. I listen to music on a daily basis, no matter the situation. It is one of the many things in this world that I can say I truly love. I have always had a love for music. Whether it be singing along to Creedence Clearwater Revival, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, David Allan Coe, and AC/DC as a young child, or the present where I listen to almost anything, music has always been a part of my life. In the song “Luckenbach, Texas”, Waylon Jennings sings, “The only two things in life that make it worth living, are guitars that tune good and firm feeling women”. Music is definitely one of many things that makes my life worth living. 

I took piano for two years when I was younger. This consisted of a one year period in third grade and another year in seventh grade. From a personal point of view, I was not that bad. I learned to play by ear and by reading sheet music. At the time, I loved playing, but I didn’t, however, love practicing as much. I also hated playing classical music, which my piano instructor loved. Instead, I wanted to play classic rock. After months and months of begging, I went out of my way to buy a piano book that had classic rock songs in it. After a few more weeks of begging, she taught me how to play “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey. Even though I have lost most of my talent, I can still play that song just as well as I could four years ago. Now, I wish I had kept playing the piano and advanced my musical abilities. It is not too late though, and hopefully one day  I will learn how to play an instrument.

Music is a language of its own. At one point during Theory of Knowledge, we discussed whether or not music is an actual language. I am not sure if we ever reached a conclusion between all of the confusion and mind blowing thinking we did in Theory of Knowledge. However, based on my personal criteria, I would say that music is a language any day. Behind every song, there are meaning and symbols. Behind every word, every musical note, every draft, every minute put into the song, there is a purpose. Musical artists put their lives, hard work, time, and emotion into their songs. They use their feelings to create these wonderful masterpieces. At a concert I attended, Chris Cornell said, “You never know when you will have an idea. I was driving down the interstate one day, pulled over on the side of the road, and wrote this song.” He then proceeded to play “Black Hole Sun”, which is one of his best songs. It amazes me that he came up with such great work in such a place. The emotion put into a song also effects the emotions of the person listening to the song. For example, I know someone who cries every time they hear the song “The Christmas Shoes”. Music can change a mood, whether it be for the better or worst. It can relax, calm, excite, and maintain emotions.

One of the greatest things about music is a memory. Music creates memories, and allows you to relive them. I can connect different songs with different moments in my life. I can remember dancing to “Born on the Bayou” on the way to Evergreen to hunt with my dad. I can remember listening to Metallica on the way to work when I was in Elementary School, and getting in trouble for reading the lyrics and accidentally cursing. I can remember listening to John Mellencamp on the way to church. In the song “Sing Me Back Home”, Merle Haggard sings, “Let him sing me back home, with a song I used to hear. And let my old memories, come alive. Take me away, and turn back the years. And sing me back home, before I die”.

I hope that music continues to be a part of my life until my last day on this beautiful Earth. I hope that it continues to make wonderful memories, free me of stress, and give me something to enjoy no matter how I feel. As I finish this article, while listening to relaxing country music, I feel like I have made the right decision to interact with this international community. I hope that all of you, whether you love music or not, allow it to be a part of your life.


Josh
Fairhope
USA