Every night I say a prayer in the hope that there’s a heaven
And every day I’m more confused as the saints turn into sinners
All the heroes and legends I knew as a child have fallen to idols of clay
And I feel this empty place inside so afraid that I’ve lost my faith
The above are the lyrics to a song by the band Styx in the 80’s.
Popular artists always have music that inspires us. The ones that resonated the most sounded like anthems for Soul Searching. Everyone could sing Peter Frampton’s”I want you to show me that way”. It was 1975.. I was 14…. Oh I remember it well ..
I wonder how you’re feeling
There’s ringing in my ears
And no one to relate to ‘cept the sea
Who can I believe in?
I’m kneeling on the floor
There has to be a force
Who do I phone?
The stars are out and shining
But all I really want to know
Every generation has it’s musicians that speak to them . Something about these lyrics that ring so true we can not get the words out of our head even decades later. Music can be timeless and transform us. It brings peace, joy and communion. The artists we adore tell the story often times better than we can tell it ourselves. Not all singers write their own music but most feel the words when they sing it. When we join in on the radio or at a concert there is a sense of unity in understanding the words. These words can evoke feelings of joy, sadness, and a multitude of memories. Memories of loved ones and past loves. Music is a building block in creating a memory, Music lovers of all genres unite in the universal acceptance of a language that speaks to them. Music is a language that we all understand. It creates beautiful communities. Peace and Harmony.
Music is so important to our culture and the meaning behind the words. Bob Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature this past week . Never in history has a singer/songwriter been coveted for such a high honor. What this says to me is even if you do not like to read books, words are powerful. Words are so powerful they can change the world. Words leave lasting impressions and bring about emotions. Words unspoken can hurt and damage your psyche. Words are so important to our evolution that we need to remember what their are meant for . When someone speaks…..Do YOU listen? With both ears? Who’s words inspire you? Your children? Your parents?.. think about it. Each generation before and after us will be changed by the words we speak and the words we hear. Listen to their music to try to understand them. Music is usually current to the collective conscientiousness. Whatever music we gravitate to tells us who we are and who we are not. It is all so relevant. I love singing along with my family to songs we all know the words to. It feels like communion. I believe that music stirs the soul and the senses for a reason. To make sure we are alive. To remind us of our own feelings. Music connects more people than it divides. It transcends. To every artist that writes, sings or plays I hope the world has thanked you enough.
Rock concerts are growing in size and at every age level across the country. That is the good news. Music tells the soul it is going to be all right! I hear another melody just writing it.
Listen to some great music today. Let it speak to you
Congratulations Bob Dylan. Let the music play.
Who is better than you??? NOBODY!!