Friday, July 15, 2011

The Magic of Music

I have a new friend on Facebook from my high school days. He’s become my own personal DJ. Every evening he posts link after link to songs from our past. What he’s reminded me of is my eclectic taste in music. I love so many kinds. New Flash: I can’t carry a tune. If I were to sing in the shower, the glass walls would shatter, and not in a good way. The first time I went to church with my husband when we’d just started dating, he leaned over and whispered asking if I could lip sync. Grrr.

You couldn’t pay me enough to get up and sing in a karaoke bar, but I LOVE to listen to music.

Music changes my mood. If I’m having a down day, I start with music that fits my mood and gradually gravitate toward songs that are more upbeat. Almost always works to turn my mood around.

When I’m writing, I choose a couple songs that speak to my characters. At times a particularly well crafted lyric will even inspire a character of its own. Depending on the scene I’m working on, there are certain songs that fit, that help me stay in the mood of the scene.

When I was growing up, my dad always had music playing. He loved to dance and had a wonderful collection of the big band music from the WWII era. I know the lyrics to all the 50’s tunes. Classic rock, country. My oldest son is the same way. From time to time he and I will be on YouTube and we IM each other links to songs. He swears that he can’t clean house unless music is playing. The funny thing is that thanks to me, he cleans best to Neil Diamond or Barbara Streisand. Drives his wife nuts. But she gets help cleaning. Ha!

What kind of music do you enjoy?

5 comments:

Laney4 said...

I sang and danced to a lot of Beach Boys songs while pregnant with our son, as well as immediately afterward while trying to get him to quit crying, go to sleep, etc.
Now, 26 years later, he continues to listen to Beach Boys songs, albeit with more recent stuff too, but I swear he prefers the older music!

Laura Marie Altom said...

Aw, I'm loving your dad!!! Maybe he could play some anti-hot-cranky music for me??!! What do you think he'd suggest?

Estella said...

I enjoy listening to country.

linda s said...

I don't listen to much music but if I'm having a cranky day, dh plays the music from the Disney electric parade really loud.

Pamela Stone said...

Thanks to everyone for stopping by. Sorry I wasn't able to reply. We skipped town for a weekend at the beach and the condo didn't have internet. Grrr. And Laney, I love the Beach Boys still too. However, like Estella, lately I've been listening to country mostly. But then tomorrow is another day and another adventure.