February 3, 1959 – “A long, long time ago, I still remember how that music used to make me smile. And I knew if I had my chance that I could make those people dance and maybe they’d be happy for a while.” But then “February made me shiver with every paper I deliver. Bad news on the doorstep. I couldn’t take one more step. I can’t remember if I cried when I read about his widowed bride, but something struck me deep inside the day the music died.” Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson Jr. were killed in a plane crash on that cold winter day. And though a part of music died with them, one of the redeeming, saving graces of music is that it lives on long after bands break up and artists pass on. Their music, if meaningful and special, is timeless and forever. And even if we know longer listen, the songs often live on in our minds and hearts.
I’ve been making word playlists for over a decade, and have been blogging, sharing my playlists for the past 3 ½ years. So I find it simply amazing that I didn’t tackle the word music until this past month. Sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees.
As I disclosed in my blog profile, I live my life through music. Every conversation conjures up memories of a song. Moments of joy are celebrated in song. Times of sorrow are consoled with music. In harmony (🎶 no pun intended!) with Einstein, releating about his own life, his insight and wisdom holds true for me as well:
I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.
Albert Einstein
And to take a little artistic liberty with a Billy Joel’s song and make it about music:
She comes to me when I’m feeling down, inspires me <with> a sound; she touches me and I get turned around…
She’s Got A Way – Billy Joel
Music truly permeates my very being, in my mind, heart, and soul. As I have written in some of my past blogs, music has comforted me in my sorrows, has inspired me, had brought me joy, and continues to do so. We’re BFFs. Almost every moment of every day brings to mind a song, often attached to a memory of times passed – a person, a place, a happening, a feeling – the happenings of life itself.
And turning to the ancient philosophers regarding the impact of music, Plato imparted the following wisdom:
Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.
Plato
I have been working on a blog to end all blogs, which feature playlists of the soundtrack of my life and death – no, not anytime soon, but someday – Set Me Free, as well as a playlist of music that I love – In My Life, kind of a self-tribute, similar to what I did for my mom – what better an author to write about our life and choose the music that brought soul and meaning to our life than ourselves? But that’s a story for another day. So yes, my life truly revolves around music.
I’ve written blogs in tribute of those living – see Seasons of Love (06/06/22) tribute to my mom, and Love Again (07/18/24) tribute to Celine Dion, those passed – see Dance With My Father & Big Bad John (10/06/21) and I Won’t Forget You (12/28/21) tribute to my brother, blogs of comfort, hope, & healing – see Healing Begins (11/27/22) and Forever Man (07/14/22) tribute to a classmate; blogs of fond memories and friendship – see You’ve Got a Friend (03/13/22) and Reunion & Nostalgia (06/23/24); blogs of music invoking fond memories of travels – see Mediterranean Blues (08/11/22); blogs of happiness – see I Feel Good (01/08/22) and Soak Up The Sun (07/01/22); and even blogs of encouragement with humor – see Bottoms Up (03/01/22). So a blog of music about music, if you will, or of songs with the word music in the title, seems only natural.
There’s no emotion that music can’t address. I believe it’s what draws us to music over and over again. And think of those songs that immediately bring your back to a memory of a person, place or time, often bringing a smile to your face. Priceless.
From some of my favorite music artists:
Still further sage reflections from wordsmiths regarding the importance of music:
Some song greats include “Please Don’t Stop The Music,” “Listen To The Music,” “Play That Funky Music,” “Dance To The Music,” “The Sound of Music,” “I’ve Got The Music In Me,” “Thank You For The Music,” “Juke Box Music,” “Pop Music,” “Swamp Music,” “Rock And Roll Music,” and the blog title song “Music And Me.” Some songs of note, “American Pie” and “Magic Power,” while not having music in their title, are included as music figures so prominently in their lyrics. Shades of the Weather Girls “It’s Raining Men” are heard in Daft Punk’s “Give Life Back To Music” intro. REO Speedwagon’s “Music Man” channels Elton John in his younger days. Aerosmith’s offering of “Let The Music Do The Talking” sounds more like Sammy Hagar at the helm than Steven Tyler. Adam Lambert’s “Music Again” unsurprisingly evokes images of Queen. Pet Shop Boys salute Peter Gunn with their into to “Hit Music.” Jordin Sparks’ “S.O.S.” borrows from “Let The Music Play.” And Michelle Branch in “Loud Music” references Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, the Rolling Stones, and even Spinal Tap with music turned up to 11.
Following Don McLean’s epic narrative is Harry Chapin’s nostalgic reflection on music of the past. He wrote this song about the loss of politician Al Lowenstein, and subsequently sang the song additionally in memory of the loss of John Lennon. Though unfortunately he could have been singing in tribute of his own unexpected passing just 3 months later. This melancholy song about what music has meant, and I believe still means, resonates so much with me and has become my favorite Chapin song.
Remember when the music
Came from wooden boxes strung with silver wire
And as we sang the words it would set our minds on fire
For we believed in things, and so we’d sing
Remember when the music
Brought us all together to stand inside the rain
And as we joined our hands we’d meet in the refrain
For we had dreams to live, and we had hopes to give
Don’t you remember when the music
Was the best of what we dreamed of for our children’s time?
And as we sang we worked for we knew time was just a line
A gift we saved, a gift the future gave
Oh, all the times I listened and all the times I heard
All the melodies I’m missing and all the magic words
And all those potent voices and the choices we had then
How I’d love to find we had that kind of choice again
Remember when the music
Was a glow on the horizon of every newborn day
And as we sang the sun came up to chase the dark away
And life was good, for we knew we couldRemember When The Music – Harry Chapin
And Michael Jackson sings so beautifully about being one with music in “Music And Me,” providing the blog title.
We’ve been together for such a long time now
Music, music and me…Only know wherever I go
We’re as close as two friends can be…Grab a song and come along
You can sing your melody
In your mind you will find
A world of sweet harmony…Music And Me – Michael Jackson
…Turn on the music
Strike up the music
Let the music change my mind
…Crank out the music
Give me music
Let the music fill the air
…Just leave a happy side out loud sometime
There’s a symphony inside you
There’s a thousand things for you to do, so come on
Let a hush fall on the movie crowd
Boy turns to girl and says I love you so
What I hear in here is violins
Give me music
Miss the music
Let the music be there tooMusic – James Taylor
Let’s escape into the music
DJ, let it play
I just can’t refuse it
Like the way you do this
Keep on rockin’ to it
Please don’t stop the, please don’t stop the music
I wanna take you away
Let’s escape into the music
DJ, let it play
I just can’t refuse it
Like the way you do this
Keep on rockin’ to it
Please don’t stop the, please don’t stop the, please don’t stop the musicPlease Don’t Stop The Music – Rihanna
And almost 50 years after this song release, the Doobie Brothers were spot on with Playing for Change –
Playing for Change was created to inspire and connect the world through music. The idea for this project came from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people…
…These musicians come from many different countries and cultures, but through music they sing the same language. The band now tours the world, spreading the message of love and hope to audiences everywhere.
What the people need
Is a way to make ’em smile
It ain’t so hard to do if you know how
Gotta get a message
Get it on through
Oh now mama, don’t you ask me whyWhoa, listen to the music
Whoa, listen to the music
Whoa, listen to the music
All the timeWell I know, you know better
Everything I say
Meet me in the country for a day
We’ll be happy
And we’ll dance
Oh, we’re gonna dance our blues away
And if I’m feeling good to you
And you’re feeling good to me
There ain’t nothing we can’t do or say
Feeling good, feeling fine
Oh, baby, let the music playListen To The Music – The Doobie Brothers
And how can we forget The Sound of Music?
And “Music, Music, Music” brings fond memories of my mom and dad singing this song in younger days, transporting me to sounds of the 1950s in an instant:
So I say thank you for the music, the songs I’m singing
Thanks for all the joy they’re bringing
Who can live without it? I ask in all honesty
What would life be?
Without a song or a dance, what are we?
So I say thank you for the music, for giving it to meThank You For The Music – ABBA
If I could write the perfect song
We could let the right out of all the wrongs
Would you close your eyes?
Would you let it in?
Would you light a candle against the wind?
If I could sing the perfect words
And change the world from hurt to hurt
But we’re all feeling
Stop the bleeding
You’re back to believing
Love is the answer and music is healingMusic Is Healing – Florida Georgia Line
Music is the healing force of the world
It’s understood by every man
Woman boy and girl
And that’s why
That’s why I say
I love music
Any kind of musicI Love Music – The O’Jays
You will need to gear up for the epic long offerings from Genesis with “The Musical Box” and The Doors with “When The Music’s Over,” both checking in at over 10 minutes each. Each is definitely a long walk down prog rock lane. But contrary to Jim Morrison’s assertion, the music is never over. Listening to Don McLean’s American Pie 54 years later, and Buddy Holly 67 years later is a testament to that. Moreover there is music centuries old that we are still listening to, a few included in my conclusion of the playlist with Handel’s “Water Music,” and Mozart’s “Night Music” being composed 3 centuries ago, yet still spectacular, still relevant, still very worthy of a leisure listen, spending time letting its energy, power, emotion, delicacy, softness, and beauty bathe our very being, penetrate our every pore, and permeate our heat and soul.
Onto that electrical soil that is a higher revelation:
I hope that this music and my blog truly serve as a “revival: a new presentation of something old,” a springboard to return to the music of your youth, or perhaps to find artists you want to discover anew. Rediscover the passion of music in your life.
Live in the moment.