The question “What is music?” is very rhetorical in a literal sense. Music is “the art of organizing sounds (vocal or instrumental) in time to create expressive compositions, involving elements like rhythm, melody, and harmony, serving as a universal language for emotion, culture, and communication, though its definition varies from “organized sound” to a subjective experience of meaningful patterns. It can range from simple beats to complex symphonies, expressing feelings, telling stories, and connecting people across cultures.”
Well, this is Google’s overview of music. While it’s a well-elaborated description of music, it lacks the personal touch of what music is to us; what it does for individuals around the world.
In a more personal matter, music is my world, as it is for millions of people around the globe. Ironically, I’m listening to music as I create this article about music. Music varies in its significance to different people, with some finding it essential to their well-being, while others view it as a simple, occasional pleasure. Many are unable to listen to music very often, as they may struggle to multitask mentally: having a conversation while listening to music, or to focus on studies while listening to music. What’s the point in listing out all these probably useless things you may not care much about when it comes to music? Well, that’s only the surface of an iceberg of what music is to the world.
To further emphasize the phrase, “music is my world”, I truly mean what I say. My life, just like everyone else’s, has its ups and its downs. Some ups are high, some downs are low. Very low. My lowest low in my life is the passing of my grandmother, who was my world way before music was. I’ve faced regret in my life more times than I can count; however, my biggest regret was not appreciating her presence as much as I should have. This is quite personal, now that I think about it, but sharing experiences is one of the strongest connections we can value. I’ve formed and bonded with people through our similarities in trauma, and yes, I will admit that sounds rather depressing. Nonetheless, however it may sound, they’re the strongest bonds I have today; I met my sister and my best friends.
How does this at all connect to music? I’ll explain. Music is the one thing that kept me going through many situations that I felt I would give up in. There were times that I had gone to school, listening to one track on loop, over and over until my earbuds died: Aria Math. Yes, a Minecraft soundtrack. It’s my favorite out of the thousands of tracks Minecraft produced. For a while, this singular song has carried me through my toughest days, my toughest hours, and minutes. In my head, listening to this track is nothing short of ethereal; it calms my nerves and soothes my heart, allowing me to breathe in places where I feel suffocated. Listening to this, I am level-headed. Although this isn’t the only song I listen to. I have hundreds of songs in plenty of playlists, all of different genres, beats, and vibes. All these songs, while they may be just songs, are deeply appreciated and connect to me in some way, shape, or form. Even some things as little as “Dumb dumb” by Mazie. It’s a short, repeating lyric song with the expression of idiocy in people, but it’s a French Indie song that has an upbeat rhythm. I find myself connecting to this song just as much as I connect to others; the lyrics I will always ultimately believe in. One thing I find humorous in the song is the harsh reality within the lyrics. For example, “Disappointment takes us by surprise. Even though by now I think we should have realized. Everyone is dumb. . .” and additionally, “There must be something in the corn flakes. Making it hard for us to think straight. I just wanna go from here. Close my eyes and disappear (disappear). I just wanna be the comic relief. Making jokes, not taking any responsibilities. It’s waking up inside of the dream. Don’t know what to believe (woo!). Maybe that’s why.” The lyrics themselves, on their own, with no rhythm or expression beyond the blatant text, have face-value meaning. However, leaning deeper into the depths of the complementary tunes that run the chorus adds the emotional tone; while in this song particular, it’s rather sarcastic with its childish rhythm.
Music integrates itself deep into the souls of many people, including myself, and while many don’t understand it, the matters of who does and who doesn’t have no matter to listeners. My love for music runs deep and digs deeper track by track, and in my life, it’s grown to be a part of me, just as it’s grown to be a part of others.
