Music blares into my headphones as I step out of the car. As the beat drops, my feet seem to walk in the pace of the rhythm of the song and although I can visually see the road I set my foot on, I know my subconscious self has transported to a parallel universe.

Every time I listen to a song, I am absorbed by the aura created by the artist. It’s not simply constructed by the words of the composition. An emotional song evokes tears while a more uplifting tune creates an adrenaline rush. The strumming of the guitar evokes an idealistic coffee-shop vibe while the kick drum bumping takes us to the dance floor.

The song that played in the radio in your first road trip brings forth old, nostalgic memories while the song that played on repeat during the week your heart was broken brings the same lump in your throat.

Even the words concoct a rich story. A story with no actors to play or screen to display their emotions. Still, we empathize the burning pain etched in the protagonist’s heart or the never-ending regret subsided deep beneath one’s conscious self. In those few minutes, the musician manages to capture their two years of life that has been nothing short of a crazy rollercoaster ride.

A song is more than the various array of seven notes stringed together by the musician. Every word reflects hours of brainstorming and writing to serve justice to the emotions experienced by the artist. The three-minute song carries hours of blood, sweat, and tears. It’s a form of self-expression. Music succeeds when words fail due to its ability to communicate without the aid of words.

A simple melody can help connect the dots or find the missing pieces of the puzzle. A playlist can serve as a therapy session and the headphones a mirror where our experiences reflect, creating a new deeper meaning.