Music is a part of everyone’s lives whether we know it or not. In one way, our lives could be compared to a music playlist—each song representing a particular moment captured in the lyrics of our favorite songs. Music is a necessity to our lives and without it I honestly don’t think life would be the same. Music helps us to express our emotions and effect our mood. Recently, I’ve been paying closer attention to the songs that make up the playlist to my life. Last week, I was listening to the radio when I realized all of this was true. The song “This is Gospel” by Panic! At the Disco came on. I remembered the very first time I heard this song over spring break when my cousins and I were tubing in Florida and screaming the lyrics on the top of our lungs. Personally, I’m not a fan of this song, but because of the positive memories associated with it I tend to listen to it frequently.
In addition to helping us remember important moments in our lives, music is a way to show our emotions. Teenagers, for example, listen to upbeat music with happy themes when getting ready for a party, but sad songs after ending a relationship. They listen to music that displays their mood and continue to remind them of the way they should feel. In today’s society, every action can be subject to judgement by others. Music is one of these ways. The songs we listen to affect the way we feel and also reflect our values. Even with a catchy beat, the songs we like affect the way people view us. When my friends give me their AUX cord to play music in their cars, I play songs that relate to the way we feel or the event we are attending.
Although none of these songs are necessarily the same style of music, they all have valuable memories attached to them. 20 years from now when I hear these songs, I hope to be able to remember these memories and share them with my children. These are some of the songs on my life playlist.
- Crank That by Soulja Boy
- Legend by Drake
- Jar of Hearts by Cristina Perry
- Best Thing I Never Had by Beyonce
- This Is Gospel by Panic! At the Disco
- Bad Day by Daniel Powter
- Verge by Owl City
So, what songs make up the playlist of your life?
