There are weird albums, songs, and bands from my late teens early twenties that can bring back some of the most random memories or have some kind of sensory reminiscent thing with me. Mostly, however, I've discovered that the same amazing songs just have new levels of depth and meaning.
It's so hilarious to me how we can listen to these albums over and over but not really "get them" until we're ready to hear them in a particular way. We watched "Bohemian Rhapsody" over the weekend so naturally I have been binge-listening Queen on repeat. A Night At The Opera is an album my dad and I used to listen to all the time. There is this song, "Love Of My Life," and it's completely gorgeous but I never really listened to it until the movie. The movie portrayed it as a tragic love song about being in love with someone that you couldn't ever completely give yourself to, nor could you live without them. This has been on repeat for me all week, because I think it's honesty is as gorgeous as it's tune.
As a Spotify addict, and a Pandora loather, Spotify will judge my random playlists with suggestions that I can choose to add, rather than be forced to listen to. Sorry Pandora, but just because I like Taylor Swift doesn't mean I want to listen to an hour of Rascal Flatts, no offense. Spotify reminded me of my favorite Coldplay album and I heard this one song again but actually listened and was like, "Holy crap! Relevant much!?"
Zeppelin wins in saying the Song Remains The Same because in more ways than one, it completely does. Music is timeless. So when people say they don't "like" The Beatles or The Rolling Stones I don't understand what that means. You don't have to brush your teeth to "Love Me Do," or "Paint It Black," but music transcends everything. You've heard those songs regardless of if you put them on yourself, and I feel like you at least have to recognize the talent factor.
I'll always feel I was born in the wrong era, but in some ways I get the best of it all because I can revisit the legends, judge the new kinds and appreciate every single transition of the ages. I love almost every kind of music, or at least I can appreciate what it's doing for it's audience. Some people are more instrumental in their tastes, others are lyrical.
I'm completely lyrical in my obsessions. Any song can have a good beat but when you tell me a story, a story that I've lived or felt or been in myself, it is a very different experience. I don't enjoy Britney Spears music because she is deep. She's catchy and fun and dances well and I give the girl mad props for being herself. I don't love Bowling For Soup because they have touched my heart with their wise words. They are funny and great stage performers and they give you the fun tunes you need when you're stuck in traffic.
Led Zeppelin I listen to when I need perspective on the world. Death Cab For Cutie writes my soul into compositions that have shaken me. Hanson has gotten me through some of the worst moments because they write words that encourage and affect me.
I don't judge anyone's taste, anyone can like and listen to what they please, but what I know as a fundamental truth about me, is that music is life, I'm better with it, and it always keeps me going. I have felt the most spiritual experiences in front of a stage just watching someone completely electrify the audience with their musical presence.
Times are definitely changing. The arena concerts just make me sad because you spend all this money on an uncomfortable seat to see someone on screens instead of in a smaller venue where you can feel the music to it's fullest and dance until you can't stand anymore. I've caved and gotten the arena seats just to be in the presence of Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Rod Stewart and Neil Diamond but I didn't get to sing and dance around like I do when I go see Dashboard Confessional and scream and cry and sing with them the very songs that defined my teenage years.
Paul Simon has written some of the best poetry that has spoken worlds to me, but I'll never see him in a tiny club like my parents and their friends. I'm always at my best when surrounded by meaningful music. Sometimes I get so irritated when I drive with my husband because I put on a non-Disney playlist and I just want to listen to the songs, and he wants to talk about stuff. Rude, right? Kidding! I just love my time with music.
There are a few newer artists who are thriving in creativity for the next generation but I've also felt that parental gap where certain things are just "noise." I mean I can understand why they are "cool," but they are definitely not for me. I actually had the horrifying realization recently that most popular songs by pop women are about sex and filled with innuendos and even my favorite childhood bands were littered with sexual themes and my parents either didn't notice or didn't care.
I'm always thankful when my favorite artists make new music. I feel like it's a personal gift to me. I thank them by going to see them live, provided they come to Florida, which sometimes they don't. My husband and I saw one of our all time favorite bands, The Decemberists last year at The House of Blues Orlando and I was dancing and singing all the songs loudly without a care. I looked around and people were seemingly just bobbing along with little enthusiasm. I said "No wonder they don't come down here! No one is dancing and their music is for dancing!" Yes, I'm that crazy person hippie dancing always.
I'm going into this weekend with great playlists ready to embrace those songs that are staying the same but acknowledge that the times they are a changing. That doesn't mean I'll ever stop listening to vinyls though...
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