Music & Memories

The Power Of Song

Music has always been a huge influence in my life. I’m not some kind of musical prodigy, and I can barely carry a tune, but I love music. I can’t remember the last day when I didn’t listen to music; it’s the first thing I listen to in the morning. To me, there is nothing better than waking up to a good tune.

I have often confused people though, as they ask me what kind of music I’m ‘into’, and when I give them my answer, they simply don’t understand. My answer is simply this: “I like pretty much anything” and the thing is that I genuinely mean this.

There are very few songs that I actually dislike enough to turn them over. I could probably count them on one hand, if I’m honest.

Music for me is central to everything. Most of my memories have music linked to them. For example, when I hear Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Old Friends’, I think of my sister. We always said that we’d be like the friends in that song, sat on the park bench like bookends. I will never hear that song and not smile, even though it is now bittersweet, as we won’t get to do that.

I remember the moment that I became a Christian, because of the song that was being played at the time. It was the song ‘Majesty’ by Delirious? and I was at one of their concerts. That song will always be special to me, and remind me of that moment when I made a choice that I have never regretted.

Of course, there are songs that remind me of sad times, too. The song ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’ by Dean Martin was playing when my Grandmother died. It literally sang her out. We were all there with her, and we sang along to it. In truth, we sang her out, too. I can’t listen to that song without crying. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to.

The thing is that music can evoke so many different emotions in us, and I love the way that certain songs can make me laugh or cry or give me shivers. The way that it has of making me feel something so deeply, in a way that no words or pictures can, amazes me.

Do you have any special songs? Let me know in the comments. J