Music is so powerful !!
Susan WashingtonMusic is incredibly powerful ! At times I am surprised at the memories that surface , the emotions that rise up, and how a song can take you back in time recalling details you thought were long buried. I had two major experiences with this on my drive to lunch with two different songs. The power this had over me was startling, one took me back to a really happy day and one reminded me of a tragedy .
As I seemingly went back in time and was overcome by emotions from long ago it made me realize that people who are trying to make positive changes in their life may need to be very careful in this area, in the music they listen to. For instance if you were a drug addict and there was certain music you always listened to while getting high , hearing that music might trigger a desire to use you because when you hear a song certain memories can flood your mind. I had never really thought about that before but it occurred to me today.
Here’s what happened to me. I was driving to Market Street to get some grilled chicken and cabbage for lunch. I was flipping through the channels on my radio and stopped at 88.5 FM, a station owned by Mesquite ISD that plays mostly 70’s music. Normally I listen to music on my phone or podcasts but today I decided to do something different. The station was playing “Night Fever” by the Bee Gees and it immediately took me back to a Sunday afternoon during my junior year. Leah was in my pale yellow cutlass supreme with me and we were driving to pick up Patti to go see Saturday Night Fever AGAIN. It was a sunny day and there was a lot of laughter. Three silly teenage girls having fun . After the movie we drove around White Rock Lake as we always did back then ………… It was as if I was transported back in time, I felt as if I was there . It was a sweet memory that made me smile.
The next song I listened to was “Heard it in a Love Song” by Marshall Tucker Band. I immediately went back to a Monday morning in my speech class during my junior year . Kevin Clifton , who was a senior, walked into the class with his cowboy hat on ( I can picture him perfectly) and told us that a good friend of his was killed at a rodeo that weekend. His friend was thrown from a bull and the bull stepped on his skull. It was tragic and sad. My heart broke for the young life lost and those that remained behind. “Heard it in a love song” was the boy and his girlfriend’s “song” …………………..I don’t recall recalling that speech class ever before but today I did . It was a memory that appeared without warning triggered by a song. The teacher was a small blonde , I can’t remember her name and I don’t remember anything else about it but that song took me back…………………….The sadness I felt as the song continued was overwhelming . I don’t know if it compared to how I felt that morning in 1978 or if the feelings have been altered by the experiences I have had but the memory brought tears to my eyes. It really made me think .
Music is so powerful.
Reader Comments (1)
I couldn't agree more with you! I lost my grandad just last winter, and whenever I hear 'over the rainbow' played by the Glenn Miller Band it just takes me back to the funeral.
Music brings back a lot of memories and a lot of emotions, but I have the same with words too. This might come over commercial but oh well.. Every now and then I go to alphabetlyrics.com and read lyrics of songs I haven't heard in a while and I end up reliving a moment, I think you should give it a try and see where it gets you. Doing this has made me both happy and sad, but it's always worth the journey, I would love to hear your opinion on this!