Thursday Thoughts #1 - Power and influence of music

Do we genuinely make decisions based on the music we listen to?

And also what implications and effects does certain music have on a person?

 Ever since I first listened to what I can only imagine was my very first Queen song, probably played through my dad's cassette or vinyl player, I have had a love for music. This has yoyo'd between an obsession and a minor past-time, from listening to music on a daily, religious basis, to spending a few months pumping out my own music[1].

 

 We all use music for a varying combination of the same reasons: background entertainment, dance, concentration techniques, relaxing, motivating. There are probably more reasons, but these are the main ones I can think of right now[2]. The first 4 are sort of a given really and each require specific styles of music to suit the situation. But number 5, motivation, seems like an obvious one too, but when you really think about it... How can meaningless, non-targeted words from someone you've never met, mixed with a variety of different sounds, tones and pitches motivate someone?

 The obvious answers to that question are easy. Every single one of us finds a way to relate to the situation depicted in a song lyrics. We feel connected to that artist or that song, therefore we enjoy it more. Another reason could simply be the style or pace of the music, which just so happens to fit your current situation too; like the background music that accompanies a moment or montage in a movie[3]! But what's more interesting that the fact that it can motivate you is the collection of undesired effects some songs can have. I'll start with myself as a case study.

 The entire The Greatest Showman album was my favourite album of all time for a short period of time. That period of time was right after a bitter, crushing breakup and the period of time I was in a new relationship. However this music also followed me through the end of that one too. Specific songs have specific effects on me for specific reasons:

1. The Greatest Showman - Positive effect, it reminds me of the opening scene from the cinema and that was an incredible experience.

2. A Million Dreams - Semi ok effect, it was the first full song I learned to play on piano. That piano was at work, my favourite job I've ever had and since I left that job, the song reminds me of that place.

3. Come Alive - Positive effect, just an upbeat song.

4. The Other Side - Positive effect, I actually know all the lyrics to this song and did frequently perform it with my partner from the second relationship. That was good fun!

5. Never Enough - Positive effect, a fantastic song, very powerful emotions here.

6... Oh boy, this is why I struggle to listen to the album at all now.

Number 6 is "Rewrite The Stars". This song correlates directly with what I consider the lowest point in my entire life. As I was listening to the lyrics, roughly 2 months after the bitter breakup, they referenced this idea of being who you want to be and ignoring what other people say, whilst also saying the phrase "You were the one I was meant to find"...

...Well it was that moment I got in my car and tried to chase back my ex-girlfriend that I'd freshly broken up with. I went onto her Facebook and found she was with another man. Now those two factors, the new man and the song, did things to me that I didn't know was emotionally possible.

 But you know what? I solemnly believe that if I was not listening to that song, the effect that was bestowed upon me would not of been even half as bad. Hell, I don't even think I would have done what I did if that were the case. However, that's the hand I was dealt and instead of playing it cool and seeing the round through, I threw my cards onto the floor.

 A quick note. After learning about (let's call him...) Matthew, and the thought of them two together, even the good old "Mr Brightside" was a song I couldn't listen to. Another song that even to this day I can't listen to is "Happier" by Ed Sheeran.

 Music is weird. Sounds from instruments and combinations of the right notes can invoke emotions[4], our inner desire to relate makes a singer's meaningless lyrics actually have a meaning to you, and these combined can not only affect our thoughts, motivation and emotions, but in some instances, your entire thought process is altered to a point where you make decisions based solely on the situation of the fantasy world depicted by a song.

 Now I don't normally prompt for comments on my blog posts, but I'm very interested to hear from others. 

What song(s) have had a dramatic impact on your life, be it positive or negative? Can you listen to that song today? Do you religiously listen to it for a reason? Let me know!

[1] During the years where dubstep and DnB were popular, I found FL Studio and actually produced music. You can find it here: http://youtube.com/user/officialfarmoor 

[2] I'm sat on a sofa, 45 minutes until I go to work, I'm not going to fanny around thinking of them all!

[3] We've all done it. We've heard Survivor's "Eye Of The Tiger" and felt powerful, "I Believe I Can Fly" and suddenly feel the urge to play basketball with a bunch of cartoon characters.

[4] In fact, you can find the scientific reason for that online. Very interesting!