"If music be the fruit of love, play on." ~ Orcino, "Twelfth Night"
Music is indescribable. It is personal. It is spiritual. Music has the power to lift your spirits and fill you to overflowing or to make you feel the pain of life and start sobbing. Music has been used for hundreds of years as a means to tell stories and invoke emotion. So what gives music this power over the mind and soul of the human race? The simple answer is: I don't know.
However, I can begin to answer that question by saying music is essential to humans. Even if you don't own a single CD or have a list of stations on Pandora, you are still influenced by music daily. For example, everyone is familiar with the theme from the movie "Jaws." The ominous dun dun, dun dun is a sound that will stick in the minds of people for generations to come. Or consider the terrifying screeching of "Psycho." Both are musical accompaniments to suspenseful moments in movies. Without these sounds, the audience would be slouching in their seats, un-engaged with the action of the movie. The music helps the audience to connect with what is happening on the screen. It grabs their attention and brings them into the story that the director is trying to tell. Even seemingly boring films like documentaries have music in the background, moving the narrator's speech along and enhancing the visual components of the film. Music completes the film by subconsciously grabbing the attention of the audience.
I also know that music has an incredible power over your emotions. As I sit and listen to my favorite songs, I start to cry as a man pleads "Don't Take the Girl." I start to dance as people sing about the "Best Day of my Life." And finally, I start to search for the perfect pair of "Red High-Heels." (Can you tell I like country music?) All of these emotions and reactions change and take place in the span of about 15 minutes. During that time, I start to lose control of my emotions, and the power of the music takes over, and I am caught up in the storm. Music can be an incredible tool for getting your feelings out, having a good cry and getting over sadness. It can also be extremely helpful in lifting your spirits and aiding in praise and worship. Music holds an indescribable power, and that power can be used to help guide our emotions.
Music is something that we as the human race cannot live without. It is subtly integrated into all areas of our life. And without it, the earth would be a very tragic and lonely place.
