The Notes Will Set You Free
Passion, a strong and extravagant fondness for absolutely anything on earth, an intense feeling of adoration for a person, place, or thing, the state of being acted upon or affected by an external desire--in one word, love. As a child I remember being passionate towards anything and everything I could think of. At that age, nothing seems impossible, and a sense of invincibility is always in the air. Childhood is possibly the only point in life when one feels they can actually make a difference and leave a positive and helpful imprint on the world. One week I was going to be a famous ballerina and the lead in Giselle, the next a fashion designer, or, a veterinarian. Week after week there was some new occupation I yearned for, or a trendy new cause worth fighting for. Then, my grandfather died. After his death, I knew medicine was my true calling, and this passion stuck with me longest. It lasted up until the middle of high school, when I stopped having as much trust in hospitals and doctors.
Years
later, off I went to college only to run into the same old dilemma, the most
popular and frequently discussed question, Òwho in the world am I,Ó[1]and
what am I passionate about. I felt an enormous amount of pressure from my
family and advisors to choose a major, a minor, and a label for myself. I
decided that the best way to narrow down the endless list of options was to try
out as many different things as my parents (or rather my tuition loan) would
permit. I took advertising classes, photography classes, anthropology classes,
and several others, until at last I found English. While writing and all other
forms of art were very dear to my heart, there was still a void; there was
something I was overlooking. That thing was music. How could I have been so
blind? Music was the one thing that had been there all along, right by my side,
from the time I was a baby. It was the one thing I could not live without. The
one, non-living thing I would die for, my passion. Unfortunately, I was not
very good at singing, or song writing, or playing musical instruments, so all
that was left for me to do was appreciate music for all it is worth (which in
my opinion is a lot).
THE BEATLES WWW.MOOSENET.COM
It
all started when I was a little girl. My mom
(who is also very fond of good tunes) quit her job when I was born, so she and
I were at home together all day long just hanging out and listening to music.
This was my first introduction to the beauty and harmony within music. We
listened to everything from the Supremes, and other Motown hits, to Elton John
and the Beatles. In the evenings, when my dad
would come home from work we would dance around the living room to Dire Strait
and other classic rock hits. As you can see, there have been a plethora of
influences from various genres of music in my life. At night when it was time
for bed, while most kids were being read fairytales and sung sweet lullabies,
my mom would sing me ÒRocky Raccoon,Ó by the Beatles, until I finally dozed
off. Whenever my mom sang to me, and even when I hear ÒRocky RaccoonÓ today, I
feel safe. The lyrics soothe and comfort my mind and soul; they make me feel at
home. These are my first memories of music; this is the beginning of freedom,
and thus, the beginning of happiness.
RADIOHEAD WWW.RAP.UCAR.EDU
Music plays many diverse
roles within my life. For instance, music is my own personal escape; it is my
savior. While some people enjoy reading books, and
living vicariously through the characters, I turn to music, rhythm, and
harmony. Music Òfulfill[s] my bliss,Ó[2]
delivering a natural high for which there is no
substitute. Some turn to drugs and alcohol to calm
their nerves or feel alive, I look to music. I depend on it; and for now I feel
that my addiction is a safe choice. Music opens the door to the inventive mind,
occupying only the ears, and leaving the
rest to the imagination of the listeners. It allows the
mind to wander, and can take the listener to places they have never been
before. I can be anywhere in the world when I am listening to music; it
is an out of body experience that enables me to fly away. It sweeps me away
from the war, from poverty and hunger, and other basic elements in my life. When I feel overwhelmed by school, friends, or family, music
is the only cure. The notes empower me to take on anything, and invest a sense
of security within me. Music is necessary for the nourishment of human
nature and soul. Music, and various other forms of
artistic expression, set us apart from all of the other animals which inhabit
the planet. It places mankind in a diverse realm of life, and touches our souls
in a way unknown to any other animal. When the notes flood my ears I
become overwhelmed, punch-drunk, and weak at the knees. No matter how chaotic
or terrible my day has been music dissolves the negativity. Music is my
Òtranquility in the midst of trauma.Ó[3]
We live in a world full of anguish; where a constant
hum of emergency sirens can always heard. Each and every minute a violent act
is taking place somewhere; people all over the globe are suffering. While we do
not have the ability to stop the agony completely, we do have the power to
lighten the load. Music provides us with the
opportunity to find some peace in all
the chaos of life.
KINGS OF LEON WWW.RHAPSODY.COM
Music
has the ability to take you back to memories of people, places, and things long
since forgotten. For example, when
I here the song ÒMiss You,Ó by the Rolling Stones, (one of the most influential
rock and roll bands of all time) it gives me chills. It is such a sexy,
feel-good tune, and every time I hear it, it carries me away, to a long night last
summer when my friends and I danced until the sun came up. It reminds me of
sweaty, salty skin and smiles. Another moment that stands out in my mind is the
very first time I heard a Radiohead song. The tune was ÒHigh and Dry,Ó and each
time it plays it brings back the smell of Nag Champa, the scent of my friend
IanÕs bedroom where the song played. It was on record, 
and for some unknown reason,
vinyl always sounds better, and more honest. Furthermore, anytime I hear Kings
of Leon (in particular the song, ÒMilkÓ), I tremble with joy and am instantly
reminded of a beach party I once attended. I can feel the sand between my toes,
the sticky, dried water on my body, and the crispness of my ocean hair. Music
has the capability of taking us back in time, enabling us to relive moments
from our past. Thus, it takes us to the places we have been before.
Much
like the mirror in Alice in Wonderland,
music stimulates a Òdesire to really find oneself.Ó[4]
Sometimes, it has the ability to uncover feelings you may have never known were
there, feelings that for one reason or another have been repressed. For
example, when I listen to Sublime I feel that I can relate on so many levels. I
feel understood and loneliness is suddenly lifted. It feels so good to know
that someone else feels the same as you; has the same thoughts and emotions
inside of them. No matter how you feel, whether it is
sad, angry, or happy, there is a song out there for you. That song will relate
to your life in a way that makes you feel united with others. Music
speaks to me and encourages me to Òknow thyself.Ó[5]
It is my therapy.
In addition, music is universal; it brings people together. White, black, tall, short, young, old, man, or woman, we all enjoy good tunes, and we all find pleasure in different music. Every song we hear is someoneÕs favorite song. Music touches the lives of people in every part of the world. It is unavoidable; whether we are at the mall, or at school, or in the car we cannot escape music. It is on television, in movies, and is in the background of many of the places we visit each day. Even when a radio is not present, music still will be. Whether it is a child banging on pots and pans with a wooden spoon, or a beat made by clapping, or, snapping, music will prevail. Many people can also enjoy music of other cultures and in other languages. One of the stations I have programmed to my car radio is the Spanish channel. The music is great and there is a lot less talk. Furthermore, many CDÕs these days are being made in other languages and sold all over the world. In fact, many of the bands I listen to are more popular in other countries than in the United States. The universality of music enables it to reach out to the masses and reminds us that we are not so different after all.
Furthermore, it is easy to see that music is
inspiration, Òinfusion into the mind and soul,Ó[6]
and thus evokes creativity and hope within listeners. It encourages free-thinking and daydreaming by eliminating
any worries or problems for a certain period of time (the length of the song or
album). It allows the listener to step out onto a new wavelength of creativity,
by giving them insight into another form of art. Music arouses the senses and
Òallows the mind to wanderÉwithout restriction.Ó[7]
It gives listeners the opportunity to explore their fantasies and use their
imaginations. Moreover, music gives people hope and can rouse excitement within
the listener. For example, during a basketball game in order to Òpump upÓ the
crowd, and the players, they play loud, fast, music, that everyone can sing
along to. In the same way, when I sit down to paint,
read, or perform any artistic task, I always play music in the background.
Without it I feel blocked and empty; the visions never seem to come. Music
inspires listeners and promotes the feeling that what you want can be obtained,
and that anything is possible.
To sum it all up, music is a Òpeculiar world of its own rules, logic, and language.Ó[8] It can function as a personal escape, a tool to trigger memories, a source of inspiration, or an instrument to aid you on your journey towards self discovery. Music enhances our lives and gives us a sense of place in the world. Without it life would be a dull mistake. So satisfy the craving, and let the music Òsave your mortal soul.Ó[9]
old word count = 1490 Ð 51 (quotes) = 1439
new word count = 1841 (361 new words)