Music is one of the most vital things in my life. I grew up listening to songs by Johnny Cash, 50 Cent,  Journey, The Beatles, Pitbull, Alicia Keys, Lana Del Rey, Drake, Avril Lavigne, Taylor Swift, and many more musical figures. My life without harmonies and melodies would be half-empty. 

I like to believe that music is a language of emotion in that it can represent different feelings and barge into the soul with no barriers or limitations. Music attains the capacity to elicit emotions. Oftentimes, when we hear a song, we connect with them and find ourselves to be comforted by a song. In various ways, music is an important part of our life as it is a way of expressing our feelings as well as emotions. I, for one, can definitely say that music is the backbone of my life. It has been there for and with me through the thick and thin of times. I mean listening to music can drastically alter my mood. I can go from feeling unmotivated and deprived to feeling like I’m thriving and on cloud nine just by listening to “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.

As a kid, I didn’t realize the impact music can have as I do now. I mainly listened to whatever others liked or country songs- my parents had a huge obsession with country music- back then. There was a little bit of rap music thrown into the mix, but that’s all I fancied back then. Whether I was in the house, or anywhere else, there was music constantly playing somewhere in the background. At the time I didn’t care for music that much, but now as I’m older, I enjoy it because it allows me to reminisce on memories; it enables me to return to the lost and forgotten moments of my life. As I began to mature, music became what seeds are to a bird and gradually started to occupy my soul. I thrive, feed -heck-,I  LIVE off of it.

When I listen to music, I can feel and somehow portray a picture in my mind. For example, the music in classical music reveals a story without lyrics which has such a powerful effect.

Music can convey all kinds of emotions. Whether the emotion is joy or sadness through harmonies and the lyrics,  music showcases it all. The song “Don’t Stop Believin” by Journey is such a motivational and inspiring song that when I hear it, I somehow decide to get my life together. Almost every time I listen to that song, I manage to rearrange my whole bedroom! The overall effect that music can have on our emotions is astronomical, I mean, it can bring people to rivers of tears or bursts of laughter.

Recently dancing has wandered its way back into my life. As a kid, my parents signed me up for dance classes. Although I despised it in 4th grade, I can now wholeheartedly say I have fallen completely and utterly in love with it. Once the music starts, I find it hard to stop myself from dancing. I believe there is no better way to express myself than through the rhythm/beat of a song. After a horrible day, it’s nice to listen to music and just dance. It makes most of my obstacles feel invisible. In a way, dancing has given me an oasis of reality. Instead of words, I find that my movement evokes my innermost emotions and thoughts better. Dance and music have also helped me become more comfortable in my skin and learn to embrace being different and my quirks. Music is the foundation for dance, and both play hand in hand with each other in my life.

Music affects others in many diverse ways. But, to me, music is more than just something to listen to or play, it’s something I feel. Music is ESSENTIAL in my life. It brings me closer to my friends and family. For instance, I recall a long car ride with my friends and cousins, and the whole way, we sang songs from the ’70s at the top of our lungs. This car ride is such an unforgettable experience in my life, and I believe that the music that was associated with that ride is a major part of it. 

Music is an immensely influential thing and has a huge place in my life right next to my heart. To put it in simple terms, I just can’t live without it. As Plato once said, “Music is what words are to the mind.” And I wholeheartedly agree!