Music - Are you listening?

[BDBopper]

Yesterday I was lucky enough to see the movie August rush. If you have not seen it I highly recommend it. The story is witty, charming, and heart warming! Okay so what does that have anything to do with anything? Well please allow me to elucidate (one of several words I learned through Disney BTW).

Without the blessing of smell or much sight my ears are a major way I take in the world. With that music is very special to me. I've enjoyed it ever since I was a little boy. It was very rare for me to be in my room without a radio or a tape playing. My love of music even went along with me when I was watching...er...listening to Television - I would turn channels to a particular show just to listen to its theme if I liked it. Everybody is guilty of fidgeting when they are bored but I found something to tap on a desk. I did not just listen to music...I actively participated. Whether it was rapping on a desk with a pen, tapping my toes, or beating the floor. Oh yes and don't forget singing - I'd be able to learn a song by heart in a few listens.

Music is very special to me and it may be to you without even knowing it. close your eyes and think of a memory. Is it watching the Main Street Electrical Parade before it glowed away from Disneyland? A first kiss? Your wedding? I could go on and on. I challenge you to find one memory in which music did not play a part. Through joy and pain, laughter and tears, jubilation or heartbreak music is there! Music stirs our emotions, takes us back to a bygone year of our childhood, consoles us when we are down in the dumps, ect. Music is truly the soundtrack of our lives!

Not only that but music is the only true International language. Music transcends race, color, creed, nationality, religion, and International border. When a classic song plays we lay down our differences, hold hands, and sing along as one. Music brings us together as one people, for just one moment in harmony!

But are we really listening? It is very easy to ignore music that is all around us every day. After seeing August Rush this became evident to me. I walked outside and took a walk and noticed things I have never really paid too much attention to on a usual walk - the singing of birds, the wind rustling through the blooming trees, the car driving past down the street, dogs barking, etc We owe it to ourselves every so often to take a casual stroll outside in silence to just take in all that we have been blessed with. It's truly music to my ears! How about yours?

[Gemini Cricket]

Just recently, I have opened my ears to a couple of bands by fans on this board. Chicago and Bon Jovi. Bornieo and Madmonkeygirl have talked about their favorite bands and so it peaked my curiosity. Bornieo let me borrow some CDs and I didn't know I was already a fan of their music. And the other day I actually listened to the lyrics of "Living on a Prayer" and was touched. I mean, I've heard the song a ton of times but never really listened to the words. It's a freaking sad but hopeful song.


Edit to add:
Also, BarTopDancer got me back into Garth Brooks. I was a fan of his awhile back and going to his concert (thank you BTD) made me re-appreciate Brooks.

AND

Cherny and NA and Euromonkey got me into Amy Winehouse. Love her. Cherny also opened my ears to Bjork.

NA and Euro know so many bands. I can't keep up with them.
Lisa will be like, "Did you hear about Lolly Clamp and the Spanks?"
And I'm like, "Uh, no."
Euro's like, "They're going to be at Coachella."
And then Lisa's like, "Also, you should get the new album by Sweaty Underwear with a Side Order of Tofu. They rock."
And I'm like, "Okay."

[wendybeth]

I love music. However, I must confess that this movie really was a bit of a turnoff. Waaayyyyy overkill on the message- I can appreciate what they were going for, but they didn't have to drill it into my skull with a baseball bat. (Granted, a melodious bat, but painful nonetheless).

My daughter is hearing impaired, so I am acutely aware of sound and it's importance in our lives. What's cool is that she loves music, although no doubt she hears it differently than most of us. Many of her deaf friends love music as well- they pick up the varying levels of vibration and it stirs in them the same impulse to move to the beat as with hearing people. I think nearly all sound is musical and beautiful, with the possible exception of country music.

Great post, BD- I may not agree with your movie review, but I do agree with the message!

[BDBopper]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

I love music. However, I must confess that this movie really was a bit of a turnoff. Waaayyyyy overkill on the message- I can appreciate what they were going for, but they didn't have to drill it into my skull with a baseball bat. (Granted, a melodious bat, but painful nonetheless).

Great post, BD- I may not agree with your movie review, but I do agree with the message!

Thanks! you may not know it yet but I am a hopeless romantic. That's why the movie appealed to me in that way. I recognize that it might be a turnoff for some. As always something that appeals to me may not appeal to you and I understand that.

Glad you liked my message though!