It’s Move Me Monday and we’re going to look at the power of music.
In general, music is fun and enjoyable, but every so often a song pierces your heart or resonates with your soul, as though the strings of your life hum at the same frequency. When that song plays, the world melts away and it feels like your spirit sprouts wings and could burst out of your chest.
Without even trying, music finds a way to hallmark major points in our lives. From thereafter, that song will forever bring forth memories of that moment, that place, keeping those memories alive and rekindling those feelings.
I first started battling depression in fourth grade. I was a kid with a ton of health problems, and being sick all the time doesn’t lend itself to positive emotions. How could I communicate what I was feeling? There were no plain words to describe the deep, gut wrenching emotions I felt.
Music gave me that outlet. The lyrics combined with the perfect chords released the floodgates of what was bottled up and let it all rush out. It’s important to experience your emotions, even the bad ones, so they don’t stay compressed and festering.
There was one song that helped me survive those moments of intense pain and despair: “Crash and Burn” by Savage Garden. I put my headphones on, hit repeat, turned up the volume, and drowned in that song.
Some people might think it’s not good to indulge those feelings, but ignoring them doesn’t make them go away. I welcomed them, sat with them, and when the music shut off, I returned to life, able to breathe just a little easier. (This song even promised me that: “There has always been heartache and pain, but when it’s over you’ll breathe again.”)
Whenever I listen to that song, I remember how it helped me survive. It doesn’t bring up old feelings of despair or sadness; it just reminds me of where I was so I never forget. My battle with depression is over (a story I think I’ll share on another Move Me Monday), but my love of this song will always be tied to the power it had, giving the deepest, darkest part of me a voice when I needed it most.
Is there a song that unlocked the gate to intense emotions you didn’t know how to express? Is there a song that helped you survive your teen years? I love hearing from you!
You can also find me on Mistress Suzie’s blog today with another flash fiction episode of the Adventures of Teagan.
Angela Wallace, Author 
Music has always been a big part of my life. College was a rough time for me, and if there was one song that always made me smile, it was I Want It That Way. Don’t laugh. For whatever reason it made me feel better.
Keep On Trying by Poco is another feel good song for me, too.
No laughing from me, Stacy, I liked that song too! Even if the lyrics aren’t the best, put the right tune to them and you just can’t help liking a song. I looked up Poco. I didn’t recognize the name, but I know I’ve heard the song somewhere. It’s a good one too.
When I was in my teens, it was “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman. I thought I knew exactly what she was talking about–the longing, the memories. Then, about ten years later, I was sure I knew what she was talking about. And, now, twenty-plus years later…I think maybe I don’t know anything.
Wanna know what’s funny? Through all those times, “Fast Car” expressed whatever mindset I was learning to adopt. The thing I take from it these days is that you do the best you can with whatever life throws at you and keep moving on. If you never try, you have no chance of success.
Oo, good one too, Catie. You know, I think one of the great things about songs is their flexibility in interpretation. There’s one song that has a very specific meaning for me, even though I know it wasn’t the artist’s original intention. But that’s okay with me…I don’t know, maybe I’m taking too much liberty, lol.
That’s cool that the song adapted with your life changes. That’s the kind that will stand the test of time.
“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor. Seems trivial right now, but I heard that song after I broke up with my boyfriend in high school. Then after I broke off a long time relationship in my 20s and moved out on my own, the first song I heard when I hooked up the stereo was “Learn to Fly” by Pink Floyd. Creed also offered a lot to me as well. Yikes, made me flip through time….
I like Creed too, especially “Higher.” Haha, I know, some songs just flip you back in time. I don’t think I could listen to a Spice Girls song without reliving certain childhood moments.
I’m going to go way back and grab some songs I remember listening to in elementary school. DeBarge’s “Love Me in a Special Way,” The Jackson 5’s “Maybe Tomorrow” and Chicago’s “Hard to Say I’m Sorry.” Those are sad-tinged love songs with melodies and lyrics that spoke to me and that I’ve returned to again and again. The first has the singer expressing the desire to be loved and treated better. The last two are apologizing for messing up on the love of another. Oye, I’ve got a thing for sad love songs. Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” is another fave.
Hey Barbara! I think love songs are great because they don’t always have to be interpreted as romantic love. If the emotion is raw, it could be about friends or family too. Thanks for commenting!
Teen Me didn’t listen to lyrics very well (!) beyond the chorus but there are certain songs that lock me into a place better than any photograph. One of those songs was “I Wear My Sunglasses at Night” by Corey Hart. A friend who was really struggling with some issues told me how she identified with that song because she could hide behind her glasses. It was the first time I thought about really paying attention to the lyrics. This friend later had panic attacks so badly that she couldn’t see her friends. She missed my wedding actually because of panic attacks. Later, she said music was what got her through some of those very dark moments.
Hi Bridgette, that’s too bad your friend missed your wedding, but I’m glad she had something to help her through. There have been times where I felt like I would have suffocated had it not been for music. Thanks for commenting!
Isn’t it strange how even now, years later, you can hear a song and be right back where you were when it most affected you?
I made it through my teen years with a lot of help from Tears For Fears and Depeche Mode. Yeah, I’m that old.
And you’re right, it doesn’t matter that the songs were depressing, I connected with them and they somehow made me feel like things would get better.
Just the other day I heard Pink’s song, “Perfect” and I called my daughter to tell her that even though sometimes I might get cranky, she’s always perfect to me. Man, I’m misting up right now just thinking of that conversation!
Hi Tameri! Yeah, there are some songs I first listened to on a rainy day, and now when I hear them I always think of rainy days.
That is really sweet that a song moved you to say that to your daughter. 🙂
Wow thanks for being so vulnerable about your depression Angela. I could never understand the concept of listening to ‘sad songs’ when you’re sad. Like in the movies, when the girl had just been dumped, she’d listen to sad songs or watch sad romance movies. Not me. When I was low, I’d shun everything that expressed emotion. I think I’d more likely put Footloose on repeat. But you’ve helped me understand the release that other people talk about, a little better.
It was often like I needed the permission to cry. But if dancing let you get the sadness out of your system, then I’m glad that worked for you. In the end, music still had the power to do that. 😉 Thanks for your comment, Naomi!
I’ve always loved all kinds of music, but I’m not sure any particular song or artist saved me from tough times until my senior year in high school – The Cranberries “Zombie”. I could just turn it up and sing at the very top of my lungs and instantly feel better. Also, Alanis Morrisette’s “Ironic”.
In college/early adulthood – Blue October, particularly “Independently Happy” – I love that song, it gets me motivated like no other. Oh, and can I cuss on this site? Meredith Brooks’ “Bitch” always make my day better.
I love how songs are able to motivate us. I also love how different songs speak to different people; it makes it feel very personal to have that connection. Thanks for commenting, Tiffany!
A title is technically not cussing. 😉
I Hate You So Much Right Now by Kelis. The title fills you in on where I was in my head about a guy 🙂 She screams in the song. And I would drive and scream along. It was very cathartic.
Lol, that does sound cathartic. Thanks for the comment, Amber! 🙂
I love that song 🙂
The one song that always lifts my spirits is Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes”. When Hubs and I were moving to SC (well before we got married) that song got me through the stressful days because I knew we were doing it together. I can never hear that song without thinking of him, and of how great that moved turned out to be. ❤
Welcome back to the blog sphere, Becka! That’s a good song. I can see why it inspired you. 🙂