I used to listen to music blindly. I did not care much for lyrics, it was the beat and melody that mattered. Sometimes the lyrics were bad, and I would just make up my own. Often I would reimagine what a song could mean, even though the intended meaning was different. For an extreme example, I heard the song "Take Me to Church" by Hozier on the radio while driving. At first I thought, wow it sounds great. I really enjoyed parts of the song, and then ... I looked closer at the lyrics. For one or two more listens I was able to reimagine the song and enjoy it, but now I look at it, and I cannot with good conscience listen to it. Unless I have no choice, then I can just ignore it or try to remember what I liked about it. I can sadly respect the perspective in the song, but
it's something I choose not to consume because it drags me down.
Often music can reflect our thinking and our mood. If I'm upbeat and happy, angry or sad, or deeply reflective, then I usually can find a song for that.
If we allow it, music has the power to change our mood or reinforce the one we have. It can pull us up, take us down or empathize with us. When I listened to "Someone That I Used To Know" by Gotye, I can still enjoy the song, but if I listen to
it on repeat, it can also pull me down. Generally, it's a sad song about hurt and betrayal. If you're actually going through what the song refers to, than it's helpful to know someone understands, but if you're in a different place and you still turn it on, it can pull you down. This song makes me think about all these hurt people, and that maybe I was one of them, or maybe I am one of them. Even though I know I am not, and then I need to snap out of it.
Another song that moved me for a while was "Hard Love" by Need To Breath. It not only empathized or explained well what I felt, it also gave me encouragement in how to deal with it.
I truly believe music connects with our souls, and that is why it is so important to be aware of what you listen to and how it influences you. I invite you to choose what you listen to more consciously.
I've also been listening to music to help me learn Spanish and German. It's a more functional type of listening. I've discovered a Spanish song that I really liked. I had no idea what the song was about. As soon as I translated the lyrics it was amazing how well it fit with me. However, since I've experienced a deeper connection with the Spanish version first, I prefer it over the English one that I discovered later. The lyrics are similar, but not exactly the same. My heart had a soul connection with the first song. It shows how powerfully and how deeply a song can go into our hearts. Here is the song in Spanish.
Through music, you can revisit old feelings, deal with current ones, or reminisce old songs for nostalgia's sake, but it's good to move forward and choose that which uplifts and encourages.
Music, may it have lyrics or not, carries messages. I believe music feeds our souls. What messages do you want to feed your soul?
If you have never done this, I invite you to take a self-test and try to become more aware of how the music you listen to influences you. Do you like the results or do you want to find something new? Does the music make you long for the good old days? Does it provide a distraction? Does it help you dwell on a feeling or experience, may it be a good or bad one, or does it help you deal with it? Do you just go with the flow and listen to what's popular, or are you a little more picky?
On this page you will find my music of choice. If you choose to check out my playlists or just one song, I hope it will inspire and uplift you.
Have you had similar experiences of a song lifting you up or pulling you down?
I would love to hear what your favourite music is today?
How does it connect with you, and what do you like most about it?