Music Makes the World Go 'Round

I really admire those who can create music, whether by singing or by playing instruments.  Our First World sensibilities gives that away to those "professionals" or at least those who have talent and competence in that area.  That concept of music being relegated to a separate group is foreign to indigenous cultures.  There is the tradition of percussion playing and chanting in which anyone can do.  I believe that we all need to make music for ourselves.  This seems such a primal need for us humans.  We lost that along the way.

I find listening to music as a great mood shifter.  It is not the same as making music since one is passive and the other engages more parts of ourselves, not only physically but in other ways that light up more parts of the brain.  Regardless, I find music magic.  Nothing like how music transforms me when I am in a down mood or stuck in a place where I cannot figure my way out.   What is more magical is enjoying music with people I enjoy being with.  I vibe with them vibing with the music and visa versa.

Now what makes this noteworthy for me as oppose to everyone else and their brother who feels the same way?  I feel that I have lost touch of my joy (see my July 3, 2019 blog Where is my Joie de Vivre?).  I really want to find that "place" within to have me really feel that delight, that energy center of delight.  Music seems to be that one enabler that I can look to in assisting me towards that feeling.  Not always but more than any other thing in my life.  More than sex or photography or bicycling.  Being with my children trumps all of that but in general, music is my go-to activity for joy.

I still tear up when listening to a familiar song from my formative years like a James Taylor song of You Can Close Your Eyes for it touches something deep within my soul that I cannot really identify or articulate.  My body reveals the truth of my heart.  Bittersweet, melancholy, yearning are emotions which are familiar but not frequently felt.  I find crying is my body's way of releasing what needs to, what has been held in too tightly.

I loved the light, fun music of such groups as The Monkees, Small Faces, The Mamas and the Papas, The Turtles, Herman's Hermits.  Those songs put a smile on my face with some sing along refrains coming out of my mouth.

Great energy generator songs from groups like Led Zepplin, Grand Funk Railroad, The Who made me get out of my head and into my body.  Of course the Motown classics a la The Big Chill dancing around the kitchen scene is another class of music that has me wanting to pull people into a dance line with me.  Or to be one of the backup singers for Aretha's Respect song.  Unabashed joy is hand clapping, foot tapping, percussion driving music for me.

I put together a funeral playlist after being inspired from attending an friend's friend funeral with music.  That really moved me.  Each song has a link to the YouTube song.
Coming Home - Skylar Grey
You Can Close Your Eyes - James Taylor
Goodbye My Friend – Karla Bonoff
I Think Its Going to Rain Today – Bette Midler
Down So Low – Linda Ronstadt
One Moment More – Mindy Smith
So Far Away – Carole King
I Can't Stand the Rain - Ann Peebles
Feels Like Home – Bonnie Raitt
Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye – Leonard Cohen
Think of Me - The Phantom of the Opera
Bring Him Home - Les Miserables
What'll I Do - Lisa Hannigan

Always Look On The Bright Side of Life – Monty Python
It's a Beautiful Morning – The Rascals
Born to be Alive - Patrick Hernandez


What I seek in music is to have it move me, literally and emotionally.  I find it difficult to tap into my emotions and this is the avenue I take to do that.  I know that being in my head is not the way to get to my Happy Place or Creative Place.  From there I look to be part of this World and fully myself.

See the Psychology Today article on how music affects our emotions.

“Keep on knocking
'til the joy inside
opens a window
look to see who's there”
― Jelalludin Rumi