Mozart & Understanding

‘Music brings the people together‘  –  Madonna /  lyrics from Music

I love music.  A lot.  Songs take me back to specific places, moments and people in my life.  It is nostalgic, thought invoking and the cheapest therapy you’ll ever find.  Music saves, empathizes and unites in a world that can’t seem to do any of the above.  It’s important that we recognize, hold on to and celebrate the things that do bind us to one another instead of arguing over everything that doesn’t.  When it all seems so divided and disjointed perhaps music is the one thing that can keep us all together.

Music has always been important in my life.  I’ve been singing since I was a little girl.  There is a cassette tape out there somewhere where you can hear me portray a rapping traffic reporter.  I was 9 years old.  I can’t make this up.  My dad loved music.  He sang all the time.  Very loudly.  He was the guy at church that would cause people to turn around and act like they were looking for something when really they were just trying to figure out who was singing as if they were auditioning for The Voice.  That was my dad.  Then I had the musical influences of my mom and my older brother.  I would put their CDs on shuffle, sing along and choreograph music videos in the living room which sounds totally normal until I tell you it was a mixture of Nirvana, Amy Grant, Bette Midler and Motley Cru.  Just one of the many reasons why I’m so weird.

I’ve been known to sing showtunes in the wee hours of the morning.  Musicals are kind of my jam.  When I was in high school I would rent Broadway soundtracks from the library so I could listen to them in the car on repeat until I knew every word by heart.  Music makes me feel things most people try to suppress on the daily.  Insecurities, vulnerabilities, fear, grief and heartache to name a few.  Music makes you feel like you aren’t alone because somewhere out there is someone who wrote and sang a song that makes you feel understood.  With all of the opinions, arguments, discord and basic BS, all anyone wants at this point is to be understood.  Whether it be for who they are, how they feel, what they believe or where they came from.  Music does that for us when people won’t.  It’s pretty magical like that.

I was fortunate enough to attend the very last performance of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers tour Monday evening.  I’m not one to brag but IT WAS ONE MILLION WONDERFULS!!!  It was at the legendary Hollywood Bowl and, yes, we were basically in the last row and, yes, the girl in front of me spent the concert throwing up into her popcorn bucket.  It was absolutely perfect.  It was nice to be surrounded by a bunch of people who just wanted to have a good time and listen to some good music.  At one point I looked around and I can honestly say everyone was radiating happy…and a lot of weed.  But seriously, I didn’t hear anything about a knee a Kardashian or an iphone8 all night and it was glorious and I wanted to live there forever.

Music is powerful.  Music makes you feel something and reminds you of where you’ve been.  There is a certain song and when it comes on, no matter what time it is, I call my best friend from high school.  Every single time.  As far as art, which I am obviously a huge advocate for, music is the most accessible medium.  It’s universal and maybe the oldest art form next to language.  It reminds us that we all have something in common and that is really something we could all keep in mind these days.  If you are feeling alone, unheard, broken down or just broken, put on some tunes.  Music truly is medicine and has been medically proven to reduce stress.  #Fact  So maybe I’m not a basic bitch and there is something to be said for my cravings to go out and dance!  My most favorite Shakespeare quote of all time:  If music be the food of love, play on.  From me and Bill, don’t stop eating the love.