So we recently had a project at school where we had to write about songs that were important and meaningful to us. I thought this was a very interesting project, since music plays a HUGE role in my life. Since I enjoyed doing this assignment so much, I thought I would share! Hope you enjoy!
From soothing tones that drift lazily
through the air to thumping music that shakes the walls and drives my parents
crazy, music has always been a part of my everyday life. I have played several
musical instruments growing up, including the piano and the guitar. Every day
since I was about 5 years old consisted of practicing these instruments; I
remember it being incredibly entertaining to patter away at those ivory keys
and pluck at the golden strings of my dad’s guitar. Ever since I discovered my
love for music at such a young age, I have never stopped listening to it. Music
has come to mean much more than a simple song I play on the piano; it has
become my therapy for times when I feel dispirited and glum. The mellifluous
tones and meaningful lyrics give me the strength I need to get through a
particularly bad day or a high-stress situation. I find myself being
continuously amazed by its astonishing power to greatly influence one’s mood,
perceptions, and even one’s life as a whole. Music possesses the ability to
alleviate my anger when my mom forces me to clean my room, wipe away my tears
after I watch “The Titanic,” and help me to finish essays for English class the
night before they are due. It has always held a special place in my life and has
been the reason I have been able to persevere through stressful times. I have
compiled a playlist filled with songs that have provided me with the energy to
keep on keeping on:
1. “Blackbird” by the Beatles
This song brings up very pleasant memories of a summer I spent in Okanagan, British Columbia. The people that we spent the summer with were talented folk singers who performed an exquisite cover of this song at the bonfire by the lake on a warm night; I can still feel the cool breeze coming from the mountains and hear the crackling of the fire. The captivatingly melancholy quality of the song fit nicely with the fact that it was our last night in Okanagan, therefore making it feel all the more special. That night filled with beautiful song was the perfect end to the trip.
This song brings up very pleasant memories of a summer I spent in Okanagan, British Columbia. The people that we spent the summer with were talented folk singers who performed an exquisite cover of this song at the bonfire by the lake on a warm night; I can still feel the cool breeze coming from the mountains and hear the crackling of the fire. The captivatingly melancholy quality of the song fit nicely with the fact that it was our last night in Okanagan, therefore making it feel all the more special. That night filled with beautiful song was the perfect end to the trip.
2. “Moon River” by Audrey Hepburn
When I was about six years old, I came down with the flu and was sick for two weeks. It was a miserable time for me, especially the nights due to the fact that my fever and stuffy nose prevented me from sleeping. There was one particular night when I was shivering all over with a high fever. That’s when I remember my mom coming into my room and singing “Moon River” as she held me. This song was so comforting to hear at that time and helped to lull me to sleep; to this day, I still love the song dearly.
When I was about six years old, I came down with the flu and was sick for two weeks. It was a miserable time for me, especially the nights due to the fact that my fever and stuffy nose prevented me from sleeping. There was one particular night when I was shivering all over with a high fever. That’s when I remember my mom coming into my room and singing “Moon River” as she held me. This song was so comforting to hear at that time and helped to lull me to sleep; to this day, I still love the song dearly.
3. “Paradise” by Coldplay
When I was in middle school, I had to suffer through a run every week during P.E. class. It was a very intensive run of about 3 miles, and to make the run more bearable, the P.E. teachers would bring out huge speakers and blast a playlist that always seemed to have this song on it. Believe it or not, “Paradise” was what got me through the run; the rhythm perfectly matched the strides I took and the lyrics were quite encouraging, despite the fact that all I could think about was all of the things I would rather be doing than running in 80 degree weather. Now, whenever I listen to this song, I think of when I was running and it makes me feel free and alive.
When I was in middle school, I had to suffer through a run every week during P.E. class. It was a very intensive run of about 3 miles, and to make the run more bearable, the P.E. teachers would bring out huge speakers and blast a playlist that always seemed to have this song on it. Believe it or not, “Paradise” was what got me through the run; the rhythm perfectly matched the strides I took and the lyrics were quite encouraging, despite the fact that all I could think about was all of the things I would rather be doing than running in 80 degree weather. Now, whenever I listen to this song, I think of when I was running and it makes me feel free and alive.
4. “Hallelujah” by Rufus Wainwright
This song brings back fond memories of a sleepaway camp that my friends and I attended over winter break in eighth grade. We had gone up to the mountains to a beautiful retreat center that was blanketed in snow. On the last day when we had to drive back down to L.A., the snow began to come down quite hard and driving conditions became difficult for our bus driver; the drive back home ended up taking about 5 hours, stretching into the wee hours of the morning. At around one in the morning, as I was nodding off, I remember hearing this song play on the radio and seeing the snow fall outside. Although it was a long bus ride home, that moment was pure bliss.
This song brings back fond memories of a sleepaway camp that my friends and I attended over winter break in eighth grade. We had gone up to the mountains to a beautiful retreat center that was blanketed in snow. On the last day when we had to drive back down to L.A., the snow began to come down quite hard and driving conditions became difficult for our bus driver; the drive back home ended up taking about 5 hours, stretching into the wee hours of the morning. At around one in the morning, as I was nodding off, I remember hearing this song play on the radio and seeing the snow fall outside. Although it was a long bus ride home, that moment was pure bliss.
5. “My Way” by Frank Sinatra
On the morning of the day my family and I moved from Vancouver to Los Angeles, the realization that I was leaving my hometown sunk in and I felt quite upset to be saying goodbye. As I rested my head against the window and watched the familiar scenery whiz by for the last time, my parents popped in an “Old-Time Hits” CD, and “My Way” began to play. It was the perfect song to listen to as we were starting a new chapter of our lives, and I will forever hold the song close to my heart.
On the morning of the day my family and I moved from Vancouver to Los Angeles, the realization that I was leaving my hometown sunk in and I felt quite upset to be saying goodbye. As I rested my head against the window and watched the familiar scenery whiz by for the last time, my parents popped in an “Old-Time Hits” CD, and “My Way” began to play. It was the perfect song to listen to as we were starting a new chapter of our lives, and I will forever hold the song close to my heart.
