Music Our Life Link

From the day you were born, for some, even in your mother's womb ... you have been exposed to music in many genres. My dad played the Beatles, Elvis, Rolling Stones, Loverboy anything Rock & Roll. My mom played Bread, Lionel Ritchie, Air Supply, anything soft rock. Me, I was born when heavy metal, R&B, jazz, soul & hip hop emerged. But when "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles plays on the radio, memories of my Dad making me dance flood my thoughts; when "Even the Nights Are Better" by Air Supply play at the restaurant I'm eating in, I think about Mom in her bedroom ironing our clothes on Sunday evening.....

The power of music. Why is it so important to us as human beings?

One explanation describes that we have a physiological need for music. Remember the days when you picked up your girlfriends (or guy friends?) on the way to the club and blasted the music in your car to "get you in the party mood?" How about the day you broke up with your first love and played your "theme song" and cried til you had no more tears to shed? Or for the guys, played that song to help you vent your anger? In a study by Krumhausl @ Cornell University, it was found that regardless of the type of music being played - all of the music played affected the subject's heart rate, blood flow and other physical measures in the same way; the results were highly linked with the intended emotional response of the musical selection. Music stimulates brain circuitry, improving brain function. It is an integral part of who we are - integrating our past with present experiences, interconnecting us with ourselves and others. Touching us physiologically, emotionally and spirituality.

This suggests that as human beings, music is a way in which we share a common emotional language that we inherently understand. Studies have also shown that this common understanding of music is something we are born with. This is evident in the 3 year old child who rocks their head to the musical beat. More importantly, music links us to our past, present and future. It brings together our memories of experiences shared in the year the song was released, it also identifies who we are... as an individual, a group, a generation or a subculture.

So indulge your ears and start your Monday off on a "Don't Worry Be Happy" mood...