Music essential for harmonious living
As I sit in my room at 1:30 in the morning listening to my latest purchase off iTunes, I can’t help but wonder what the world would be like if there was no music.
Drastic thought, trust me I know. I am a child of music, it makes my world revolve. Clapton, Paige, Marley, Townsend and Dylan are all gods in my eye, and I pray at their alter on a daily basis. So what would I, or better, we, do without them?
Music evokes passion and emotion. People would never look at the world the same without it. Would movies be as suspenseful if there was no dark, methodical arrangement serenading you in the background? The answer is no.
Too often we take music for granted. It’s poetry for the soul. It can make you feel happy, sad, or just feel in general. Anytime I have a below-par day, I play music. I’m always interested in what’s out there, whose making music, and who will inspire me next.
I guess it just annoys me for what passes as music these days. There are so many people out there that say they’re making music, and they’re not. Instead they’re making sound, and it’s a very big difference. If someone came to me and asked if I thought there were any bands that had come out in the past few years that would truly be remembered 30 or even 10 years from now, I could, without a moment of hesitation, say no. Bands like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and The Who broke the mold. People still talk about them and discover their music today. Even female singers like Janice Joplin and Grace Slick broke down the door for female aritists. We wouldn’t have bands like No Doubt if it weren’t for these women. How many bands nowadays will be able to say this when they become aging rock stars?
I use the term “aging rock stars” in the best way, because they are still stars. They still play, and they play from the heart. But the truth is, they really don’t make them like they used to. It seems that today it’s all about how much money they can make and how may records they can sell, but what about the fans? Music should be for us, the ones who buy the records, wait in line for hours or even days for tickets and religiously attend shows, no matter how big the venue.
I hope one day I’ll be lucky enough to see us come full circle back to our roots: a day when music will have a purpose again. Days when lyrics mean something, when they’re written to inspire us, and not just entertain us. So I beg all of you out there who are trying to make music: if you do plan on picking up an instrument and recording something, make it from the heart and make it count. If you’re going to say something, make sure you have something to say that’s meaningful.