The Sound of Music

I love music. I think it is one of the most amazing gifts to have and receive. I would like to say its a gift I can give, but unless you are strictly talking about buying a c.d. or an i-tune, then I am not the person to go to. I cant carry a tune in a bucket, even with a lid tied on. However, I am not afraid to admit that I cant sing. I am okay with the fact that I will never win a Grammy or be on Broadway. I sing anyway. Although I sing badly, at least I sing loudly. Music has always been a big part of my life. Growing up, my Dad taught me to love the best and greatest of the 50's, 60's and 70's. My Mom taught me to love opera, show tunes, Sinatra, and country (you can take the girl out of Montana, but you cant take the Montana outta the girl). Grandpa showed me the beauty behind classical. My brother played the drums, so from him I learned to appreciate metal, jazz, and rock. In college, I was introduced to punk, ska, hip hop, and alternative. And, on a personal note, 2 of the last 3 guys I have dated have been musicians. I guess I have a thing for guys with a guitar.

Back to the point, music is so important to me, sometimes its even more enticing than food and water. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't hum along to a tune, turn on my i-pod (I know, I am a material girl in this material world), or flip on my radio. Music not only inspires me, it motivates me. Its a driving force to my existence and something I fear I will miss greatly when I leave this life behind. Regardless of the situation, no matter what is happening in my life, there almost always is a song that relates to or embodies the emotions of the moment. I think music is a way of personifying emotions we cant verbalize. Its a physical way of showing others how we feel. Whether it be happiness, sadness, pain, pleasure, grief, lust, heartache, love, humor, or even nothingness; it can almost always be translated to music. I think what I love the most is that music is a true universal language that spans every culture, every continent, and hundreds of years.

When it comes to music, I have had the same conversation with all my friends and even strangers. I love to hear what people say when asked the same question, "If you could have a soundtrack for your life, what would be on it?" Most people don't answer right away. I have heard all kinds of different answers. Mostly its mainstream pop culture tunes that are popular here and now. Some put a little more into it and rattle off some classical pieces or religious hymns. Some just make a list of old school favorites. Very rarely am I actually taken by surprise. When that happens, it honestly gives me goosebumps.

The power of music is something that always floors me. I always have a play list going in my head. Even in the most tense, high stress, hopeless situations, I can hear a song somewhere behind my ears. I think its a way for me to cope and filter. Its my way of letting only the necessary information in and keeping the useless out. Whatever the cause or rationalization, I know that the day I stop hearing music is the day I find my way home. So, whats on my soundtrack?? Well, its an incomplete list, but its along these lines: 1-big eyed fish. 2-amazing grace. 3-fur Elise. 4-the dawning of the angel aquarius. 5-map of the problematique. 6-what a wonderful world. 7-let it be. 8-for you. 9-into the ocean. 10-story of my life. 11-walk the line. 12-tomorrow. 12- into the west. 13-drift away. 14-have you seen the rain. 15-young folks. 16-no rain. 17-black door. 18-steady as she goes. 19-its your love. 20-them bones. 21-the cowboy song. 22-crash. 23-walking on sunshine. 24-imagine. 25-closer to fine...