Five Things | How Music Connects Us
Music expresses that which cannot be put into words, that which cannot remain silent. - Victor Hugo
From the beginning of time, music has played a central role in human existence. Every civilization dating back to prehistoric times has used some form of music to communicate, to celebrate, and to mourn. Music is heavily influenced by all aspects of a culture and it, in turn, weaves back in to impact the very culture that bore it.
Music has always been a big part of my life and I don't know a single soul who can't say the same. I've always seen it as a medium that can connect people from different backgrounds and experiences and unite them, no matter what their differences may be. Here are five reasons why I believe music is a great connector.
(1) It transcends generations.
I grew up listening to the music of my parents' generation. Now known as the "oldies," groups like The Doobie Brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Simon & Garfunkel filled the airwaves when my dad opened the big oak doors of the cabinet that housed our stereo and record player. My mother preferred dance tunes from the likes of Kool and the Gang - the song "Celebration" being played at their wedding and on every anniversary since. This became my music until I was old enough to develop my own taste. It was my grandparents who most heavily influenced my love for other types of music though. They introduced me to the magic of Broadway musicals and instilled in me a love for crooners like Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. Because of them, I'll always have a sweet spot for the big bands of the 30s and 40s.
This is how music stays alive. It is passed down from one generation to the next, and like a family recipe, it is treasured and shared with those to come. We are all a melting pot of our musical influences, our favorite songs dotting the map of our lives, pointing to people and places of another time. Music transcends generations and it will continue to until the end of days.
(2) It breaks language barriers.
Some of my favorite music to listen to features lyrics in a language that I don't speak. I love it because of the feeling I get when I hear it. From the upbeat rhythm of Bhangra or the drops of Swedish house, the cadence doesn't need to be translated to be felt and enjoyed. A little research can clue you in on the history of a particular type of music and the importance it holds in the region of the world that it's from. But you don't have to speak the language to be able to enjoy music from other cultures, because if you feel it in your bones, you're already there.
Music breaks all language barriers, because no matter what dialect you speak, everyone knows the feeling you get when your favorite song begins to play. It's that feeling that either punches you in the gut with emotion or makes you want to get up and dance.
(3) It brings different cultures together.
I'll never forget the first time I heard the folk music of a sub-Saharan African tribe that was celebrating the birth of a baby or witnessed a Hindi wedding procession where everyone lined up for a colorful parade around the reception hall. These were events that happen all over the world, but the way music held such an important place in these celebrations really fascinated me. With all the differences we tend to see when we look at people from other cultures, we seem to miss a lot of the similarities that we share. Every culture uses music to celebrate the moments that dot our lifetimes. From birth to death and every milestone in between, the importance of music is one thing we all share, no matter where we come from.
(4) It is inclusive.
One thing I love about the realm of music is that you don't have to fit into a box to enjoy it or to create it. Unlike so much in this world, you don't have to be white, cis-gendered, or able-bodied to fall in love with it. We all know musicians like Stevie Wonder who is blind but can still play several instruments, sing, and write music. There have been many other musicians over time who have been blind, deaf, or had a disability or bodily difference that they overcame because they had such a love for the art of creating music.
Music is for us all. It allows people of all types to express themselves. It is loved and created by those of every gender, race, religion, and political belief. Black or white, gay or straight, able-bodied or not, cis or trans, we can all listen to, create, and enjoy an art that knows no labels or boundaries.
(5) It lifts spirits.
I remember, the week after my brother passed, creating a playlist to help me get through each day. Some songs were emotional and allowed me space to let go and cry it out, but there were also lots of songs that lifted my spirits enough to be able to put on a brave face and try to function in a time when I thought the world had stopped. I think we all have music that does this for us. We don't necessarily have to be mourning to find value in those tunes that cheer us up.
Whether you're just having a bad day or are dealing with something deeper like anxiety, depression, or grief, music is like medicine and can help lift spirits when you're feeling down in the dumps.
