Musical Medicine

[photo: http://shiftymunky.deviantart.com/art/Music-is-My-Medicine-118443528]

Music, I believe can enhance the human experience. Music can be used to make a person feel a certain way, whether that emotion comes from a happy place or even a sad place. For me, music helps me cope, heal, and deal with life and all the twists and turns that come with it. Recently, my nearly two-year relationship ended with my boyfriend. Needless to say, I will need time to process my feelings and emotions and since I am so connected to music, I knew that I had to search for a song or songs that accurately represents what I’m feeling. I also use music to lift me up and help me refocus on the many positive aspects of my life. When a relationship ends, it is always sad regardless of how the relationship was ended, but every break-up is unique to the couple so thankfully there is a catalog of songs with the theme of break-ups so there are many to choose from.

With millions of songs out there, how can one possibly find one or more songs that he or she can identify with? Personally, I always start with my own personal music library since I know I relate to the music that I already own. Next, I browse through my favorite artists as I know I will relate to them the most and will instantly connect with their music. At first, at least for me, I have to find music that is somber so that I can acknowledge and deal the sadness I feel about a relationship that has ended. After sulking for the while and listening to somber music, I slowly start to listen to more upbeat music or music that makes me feel happy. I go through bouts every day where I listen to both somber and upbeat music because of how I feel at a certain point during the day. Two songs I was instantly connected to was the Britney Spears’ song “From the Bottom of My Broken Heart,” and Demi Lovato’s “Stone Cold.”

[photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_the_Bottom_of_My_Broken_Heart]

Britney’s song talks about a past love and how even though she may end up with someone else, that past love her first real love. I don’t know what the future will bring but I know in my heart of hearts that this last relationship was my first real relationship and even though I may end up with someone else, I have to acknowledge that this previous relationship was significant in my life.

[photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_Cold_(Demi_Lovato_song)]

In this song, Demi is singing about how if she stays emotionally detached than she won’t feel the pain of the break-up and also that she is essentially “happy” for her ex even though she is hurting. I feel the exact same way and I hope that he ends up happy. Even though this is my experience, others may have an entirely different experience depending on the situation.

Music, as I see it, is a sort of stimulus and has the potential to change, enhance, or even modify someone’s mood. I know I use music to put me in a better mood if I have a bad day or play one of the favorite songs on some of my best days. There is no limit to what music can do for us. It plays such a unique role in our lives that without it, I believe the human experience would be entirely different. What do you think? Does music have these properties, does it affect you (the reader) in any particular way? What songs/artists do you turn to when life gets tough? Let me know!