The Power of Music

“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” This quote by Berthold Auerbach exemplifies how music can affect different people. Music has an emotional effect on everyone in a certain way. The one place I long for when I’m feeling uneasy about anything is my white Grand Cherokee with the windows down and the music up. Music is one of the ways that can easily lift my spirit in any situation. Whether I’m upset, irritated, tired, or extremely happy, music has a way of capturing me. I believe that music has the power to touch the soul.

Music calms. It engages you in its lyrics and rhythm as if you were there in the song. As a child in my mother’s womb I was introduced to music. Expecting mothers who listen to music tend to have children who respond to soothing music later in life. Their children feel a sense of security that brings back feelings of comfort from inside the womb when a certain genre of music is played. Even now that I am older, after a stressful day of classes or at work, all I really want to do is go back to my room and put on some good music.

Music uplifts. My favorite genre of music to listen to when I need some encouragement is Christian. The days when I start off spending time in worship are the best days of my week. For me, Christian music is like a massage for the soul.

It boosts my confidence in everything I believe in. It is also encourages me to know that I always have someone to turn to no matter what.

Music captivates. When I drive in my car and a good song comes on the radio I can’t help but say, “I love this song,” turn it up, and sing along. Music has a way of connecting and relating to its listeners. Whether it’s the lyrics or the rhythm, something always catches the attention of the person singing along. That’s why everyone has different tastes in music. Not everyone is attracted to the same sound or genre. Someone could love country music because of the heart-touching stories but also love jazz because of the swing sound of the instruments and unique rhythms.

Music excites. In high school, show choir was my life. Show choir is a group of people who combine a five-song theme and perform singing and dancing for about 15 minutes. A family of 21 girls and 21 guys work together everyday, all year, perfecting a show to take to competitions in the spring. Standing on the risers behind the closed curtains as the band warms up and our fans are yelling and calling out names, is the best adrenaline rush in the world.

I believe music has the power to touch the soul because of the emotional feelings that we get from listening and the way it brings a group of people together. Music is always found in times and places where it’s important for everyone to come together, to give a sense of unity. From the jam session held in the boy’s locker room before the big game, to the oh familiar song played at graduation as the graduating class walks across the stage to receive their diplomas. Music is there to spread the same emotional feeling and unity to everyone who listens.