Music has a power to influence people like nothing else. Every race, culture and religion makes use of music in forms that may vary, but the influence is there. The ability to connect with somebody on a deep personal level, through a smart phone or the beat of a drum is a glorious phenomenon that has served the human race for thousands of years.
It comes in endless forms, genres and rhythms. From complex electronic dance music, to the hum of a mother rocking her child to sleep, music colours our memories, it brings long lost loved ones back to life, even just briefly, it has the ability to heal the soul or deepen our pain.
Music has been used in sacred rituals in so many religions and cultures, based on the belief that music holds power.
For example, "music in Africa is very important when it comes to religion. Songs and music are used in rituals and religious ceremonies, to pass down stories from generation to generation, as well as to sing and dance to." Estrella, Espie
In the modern world we see a massive culture of music. People from different countries all over the world sing the same songs. Musical artists travel from country to country preforming for crouds of 20 000 and upward.
We magnify our most important moments with the songs that we listen to. A couples first dance at a wedding, a special made Playlist at a birth, singing 'Happy Birthday' or 'We wish you a merry Christmas'. Music has fueled revolutions and freedom marches, and given life to the celebration of victory, it gave hope to slaves and solidified their legacy in the minds of those who now sing their songs. Our lives would not be the same without the power and influence of music.
Music also has the ability to influence you for the worse, for example, when you are angry, and you listen to a song about revenge, it may motivate you to act on those feelings. It is therefore important to listen to wholesome, and uplifting music. How can you tell if a song is uplifting? Easy, if you feel better after listening to it.
As the lyrics to Lutricia McNeal's song state:
Everybody is moving to a hard beat
Stepping out in time
Right across the cities and the backstreets
This is what you'll find
When you step inside that rythm
Everythings forgiven
Can't you feel
The music still
Your the pain in every heart
I believe in the power of music
Put my faith in the power of love
Hooked on a feeling and I'm gonna use it
Because I know
I know music is the power of love
Everyone who's looking for an answer
Says it's hard to find
I don't think you'll ever gonna find it
Searching with their minds
So let that spirit guide you
Moving right inside you
Can't you feel
The music still
Hear the beat in every heart
We all have different tastes, but whether we like it or not, music has played at least some role in our lives.
Have a nice day!
