Lost in music

Why do we love music? And what is it about it that affects our moods and emotions?

I strongly believe that the power of music helped me through the grieving process. In 1996, my mother was tragically killed in a car crash. I was 21, and left alone to deal with the death, and battle through all the different emotions and stages of grief. I remember the incident like it was yesterday and believe listening to music really helped me through this tough time. My emotions were all over the place and music enabled me to release the negative ones so they weren’t bottled up. I listened to a variety of styles from sad melodies which made me cry and livelier ones which made me realise that I still had a life to lead.

In medical terms music has substantiated itself amongst illness and depression. Music therapy is widely recognised throughout the UK and is often an integral part of rehabilitation.

Music is one of the most influential and popular forms of entertainment in the world today. Music is powerful. It has the potency to change or enhance an emotion within seconds. It is everywhere and access to it is immense.

From more humble beginnings and traditional settings, music has grown and developed throughout history. It has the capacity to heighten a sensation, relax, and boost awareness and the senses, but most of all-provides enjoyment and fun to each of us individually, regardless of creed, sex, age, and social background.

Used as a weapon, it can help us cope with sadness, stress and apathy. Andrea McCullough, Music therapist, from Missouri Western State College, conducted a small experiment, which consisted of 39 participants from the ages of 18-47. They took part in a survey and answered questions regarding sadness, stress and neutral. Each question was music related and the candidates had to choose whether a piece of music-1) changed mood when sad 2) changed mood when stressed 3) changed move when neutral or 4) mood stayed the same.

The results proved significant within the three main emotions. It clarified that music did transform those who felt stressed or sad and also different genres of music were the main source in the development of mood changes.

In an attempt to find out what people enjoy and why they like it, London Update went onto the streets and asked members of the public what their favourite piece of music was and why they liked it.

Sarah Morton, a student from High Wycombe enjoys a variety of musical styles. One of her favourite songs is ‘A Song for Everyone’-by Felix T. She says that, “this song is guaranteed to make me smile”. ‘Queen’s’,’ Don’t Stop me Now’ hit, was another best song as it reminded her of, “dancing wildly”.

‘Here Comes the Sun’, by the ‘The Beatles’ is a lively and upbeat melody and a favourite of Robyn Glen, 21 from London. She says, “this song always cheers me up,” and also confesses to, “playing air guitar,” when hearing, ‘My Sharon’, by ‘The Knock’.

You don’t have to be a musician to enjoy music. How many of us sing in the bath/shower or dance around the living room to a favourite track, wonderfully inhibited and expressive?

For the last four weeks ‘The Pussy Cat Dolls’ and their song, ‘Don’t Cha’, has been top of the UK music charts. Sam Davies, 21 a fashion journalist from Broadway, says,” it’s a quirky and up beat tune, great for letting your hair down and getting ready for a night out”.

Pop music is a popular genre today but Classical music, though seen as ‘highbrow’ by many. Fiona Joesphs, an artist from Colchester loves Vaughn Williams-‘A Lark Ascending’ and said “this inspires images of a time that has passed and is uplifting, but also melancholy”.

Her husband Dr Norman Josephs is also passionate about classical music and one of his favourite pieces, is Bruch’s first violin concerto. It “ inspired me to take up the violin when I was seven” and the music “ is very moving and stirs up so many emotions and helps me to relax after a stressful and tiring day”.

For me music is important. It’s a way of life, something that helps, when times are stressful.. For many, therapy and private clinics are the way forward in times of depression, sadness and when life becomes unbearable.

Many people agree that music is a major part of their life. This is evident when hearing a car radio, blaring out, a jogger, running with their Ipod or music playing in shops and restaurants. Music is everywhere.