Music is a powerful tool for many, serving purposes that go beyond entertainment. Plenty of individuals use it as a method to relieve stress, boost confidence, or even release frustration. Others may use music as a way to focus and stay on task. However, some people use music for everything.
“I use music for almost anything in my life,” junior Stevie Martinez said. “I mainly like to use it when I’m cleaning, but I also use it when I’m sad, or I need to focus on homework. It’s been a huge part of my life, and it just overall helps me get through the day.”
From anxiety to nostalgia, music has a unique ability to evoke emotions in people. Hearing a particular song can transport people back to a moment in time, triggering feelings related to specific experiences. A love song could remind someone of an old relationship, bringing back the butterflies and excitement they felt during that time. Conversely, a song about heartbreak could instill feelings of sadness in somebody, reminding them of the time they went through a breakup.
“Every time I hear the song ‘When You Say Nothing at All,’ I am transported back to the night I married my late husband in Las Vegas,” English teacher Celeste Zachry said. “We went to dinner that night, and there was a live band playing. When this song began, we got onto the dance floor, and little by little, every other couple left the floor, leaving us as lone dancers. Our attire showed that we were obviously there to be married, and it was such a surreal moment that everyone else, complete strangers, provided us. It was absolutely beautiful.”
Similarly, playing instruments can also bring back old memories. Playing certain chords, melodies, or even listening to the way an instrument sounds can remind one of their past. The familiarity of a tune can trigger emotions tied to those memories, allowing the player to relive experiences. Additionally, the physical sensations of playing, like the feel of the keys or the vibration of the strings, can deepen the connection, creating a sense of nostalgia for when the individual first learned how to play.
“Sometimes when I’m playing guitar with my buddy Damion, it just brings back a ton of nostalgia,” junior Dylan Neff said. “It reminds me of the times we were in middle school, just jamming out. We’d just sit around, strumming away and having the best time, not a care in the world. Honestly, those were some of the best times in my life. It’s crazy how a simple guitar can bring me right back to those days.”
As people navigate through the different emotions in their lives, music will continue to play a vital role in shaping experiences and helping to create new ones. Music can be a companion during moments of powerful emotions, reminding some that they are not alone. It provides the ability to articulate feelings that might otherwise remain unexpressed. Ultimately, it serves as a reminder of our shared experience of life.
“Music has genuinely gotten me through a lot,” an anonymous sophomore said. “Whenever I’m having a rough day or I just need to escape for a bit, music is always there. Being able to open my phone and pick a song that I love is super therapeutic, especially whenever I can blast it as loud as I want. It’s funny how a few minutes can change the way my day is going.”
