Hello, my name is Raaga. Nice to meet you! Now that we know each other, I can tell you that my name means music. Specifically, in Indian music, a raga is a pattern of notes having a characteristic rhythm.
Even though I do not actually learn music or sing, I still have a genuine appreciation for it. I listen to music almost 24/7 and without it, I feel empty. Can anyone relate? Here are a few reasons why music is amazing.
1. You can listen to it over and over again.
When you discover new music, chances are you listen to it on repeat without end. And you never get tired of it. Whether it has been days, months or years, listening to the same songs does not grow old. Rather, it gets better each time. You discover new things you had not noticed before, you connect to it on different levels, or you just love singing along. Movies or books get old after a few times, but music is eternal.
2. Listen to old songs brings back a wave of emotions.
It is really cool how listening to an old song literally feels like a #throwback. It does not need to be a song that came out at the time, but a song I discovered or played a lot at the time. "Photograph" by Ed Sheeran instantly takes me back to junior year of high school and all the emotions I felt at that time. It's a funny feeling because although I cannot pinpoint what the situation was exactly, I'll instantly experience a surge of emotions that were connected to it. "Blank Space" by Taylor Swift takes me to sophomore year, "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol to freshman year, "She Will Be Loved" by Maroon 5 to middle school and so on.
3. Singing out loud is fun.
Whether you are a great singer or not is irrelevant. Either way, singing out loud, pretending you are on stage with a mic in hand is liberating and relaxing. It's fun to do with friends or alone in the shower!
4. It's amazing how well I remember lyrics.
Honestly, if I could have such memory when it came to school, things would be great. Or better yet, if school tested us on song lyrics, then I'd be guaranteed an A. I know hundreds of songs, and once I start singing along to a particular one, I instantly know all the lyrics. It's pretty awesome.
5. It's so vague but so accurate at the same time.
Whether it is a heartbreaking or an upbeat song, each song carries a message, symbolic or literal. Because music is broad enough to encompass many stories, a certain song can fit into many situations. However, when you feel a particular emotion, music only serves to emphasize your mood and perfectly relate to your situation. That is the beauty of music. When you really try, you can connect to the lyrics and beat at a whole new level, and it's a beautiful feeling. For example, "Fix You" by Coldplay is a powerful song by itself, but when I actually feel sad, the lyrics hit me deep down and feel as if they are directed towards me.
6. There are so many genres.
I love that there is music for everyone. For any situation- parties, studying, reading, long car rides, you name it. If you want music to relax, then soundtracks or instrumentals are perfect. For upbeat music, people usually vary in their taste. Some like alternative and rock. Others like R&B and hip-hop. And there are others who like rap, EDM or pop. None of these are mutually exclusive. Genres help people connect and understand others' music tastes. It's awesome meeting people who share similar tastes as you. Apps like Spotify, iTunes and Amazon Prime offer playlists by genre and mood which allow music to complement any situation perfectly.
And, lastly, you can always discover new music because the possibilities are endless!
