Music is such a powerful thing – hearing an upbeat song can instantly lift our mood, a lullaby can help soothe a child to sleep and a few lines of a song heard playing on a radio can bring back vivid memories. There are so many songs that are significant to me, that instantly bring back particular moments in my life, reminding me of certain people or places. I can never hear Chopin’s Nocturne in E Flat without thinking of my dad; a few bars of Spandau Ballet’s “True” and I’m seventeen again, falling in love for the first time; and Jennifer Rush’s version of “The Power Of Love” will be forever associated with student karaoke nights and the rather dodgy video that went with that particular song!
Back when I had a little more time to listen to music, I used to enjoy making compilation CDs to listen to in the car. Most of the songs on these are musical theatre songs – some from well known musicals, others from quite obscure ones. Each of these CDs tells a story, the choice of songs reflecting the things that were filling my mind at the time. The soppy love songs from when hubby and I first got together, the upbeat songs that bring back memories of summer holidays, right through to the last CD I put together during my pregnancy with Jessica with songs reflecting the hope, fear and longing for a miracle. A musical journey charting the ups and downs of life from my late teens into my early thirties.
I found one of my mix-tapes the other day when changing CDs in the car, one that I made several years ago. Songs including “There’s A Fine, Fine Line” from Avenue Q, “Don’t Rain on My Parade” from Funny Girl, “Without You” from My Fair Lady. I didn’t need to look at the date to guess when I might have created this one. The message that came through from the songs was “I don’t need a man to make me happy, so there!” reminding me of that challenging time when hubby’s apparent fear of commitment had left me wondering whether we really had a future together. I remembered all the times that I had sung those lyrics with gusto, singing them to an imaginary M. It was a good way of getting the frustration out of my system!
These days, singing is still a good way of releasing anger – belting out a few lines of a song when I really feel like shouting, or setting angry words to a gentle tune as a way of calming myself down. I will often sing around the house, putting different words to whatever tune I am singing, creating a musical commentary on what I am doing. It is funny now to hear Jessica making up her own words to songs and doing exactly the same thing!
Hearing my girls singing away to themselves gives me so much joy and I never tire of hearing them – not even when they are singing “Let It Go” for the umpteenth time! I hope that they will always love music and singing as much as they do now. I wonder what songs will form the soundtrack to their childhood and what memories will be evoked as a result?
Music is so powerful isn’t it? I used to love making mix tapes (and then mix CDs) back in the day too. I used to give them as gifts during my poor student days. The amount of thought and care that went into selecting the songs, as well as the order of the songs, meant that most of the time they were pretty good presents, if I do say so myself! Your girls at the piano are just precious 🙂
What a lovely post, and I love the photo at the piano 🙂 You’re absolutely right – music has so much power over our emotions and memories.#coolmumclub
This is a gorgeous post Louise. I can just imagine you belting out those songs! As a massive fan of everything music too, I have the soundtrack of my life playing constantly in my head. Trouble is, it includes millions of songs, from every genre. The girls, would of course, also include Let it Go. I don’t even mind the Frozen soundtrack myself tbh 😉 Definitely will always bring back many happy memories with the girls when they were little. (Dangermouse, who can only say about two words, has just started singing along ‘Go’). xxx #coolmumclub – thanks for linking up hun
I love the picture of your girls sitting at the piano 🙂 They look so absorbed in what they are playing!
#PoCoLo
I can’t imagine life without music, and that includes ‘Let it Go’ for the umpteenth time 🙂 #PoCoLo
Music is one of the most important things in my life and I have to say that I think it is mainly for this reason. You have summed it up perfectly 🙂 Thank you for linking to #PoCoLo x
Mix tapes!!! Thanks for the nostaligic tip down memory lane. I think there are still a few home tape recorded chart show mixes still lying around my bedroom at mum and dads but I need to find a Walkman that still works on which to play the cassette! Must go and have a hunt next time I’m home x #copolo
You have the soundtrack to your life Louise! 🙂 I know exactly what you mean. I have music on constantly. Helps me focus. I’m always amazed how certain songs can bring up so much emotion. I’m not a singer but listening to my daughter sing is gorgeous X #twinklytuesday
I can only imagine the look on my wife’s face if the next time I get really ticked I start busting out showtunes at the top of my lungs. I think I may try it just for the story
I completely agree, music is so powerful…it takes you back somewhere straight away doesn’t it!? Aside from the common trait we have of belting out random songs (!) I hope I also share the ability to pass on a music love to my offspring. He’s showing all the signs so far…including singing words to tunes that make no sense as well as lots of well-know classics (well bob the builder anyway!) . A really lovely post x
Music is amazing isn’t it? I’ve always wondered why I can’t remember any historical dates — or pretty much anything I learnt at school — but if you play me an obscure hit from the 1980s I can sing every word perfectly — even though I haven’t heard it for 25 years!! 😉 Thanks so much for linking up with us on #TwinklyTuesday