For me, music is communication to the soul. It reads into our innermost feelings, intentions and thoughts. In some cases, it helps us to decipher our stream of consciousness. In others, it adds to the grand complexity of our lives we should learn to appreciate.

From the time I was little to now, music has surrounded me and has been basically the only thing that understands me. I have practiced multiple instruments and sing like crazy.

I think what draws me to it so much is its inexplicable ability to make you feel things you have never experienced. Music can give you goosebumps, make you cry uncontrollably from sadness, and even bring you tears of joy. Here are some quotes that support music in all of its inherent beauty:

“With music, you often don’t have to translate it. It just affects you, and you don’t know why.” – David Byrne

“Music is a world within itself, it is a language we all understand.” – Stevie Wonder

“A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their picture on silence.” – Leopold Stokowski

"I like beautiful melodies telling me terrible things.” – Tom Waits

“You know what music is? God’s little reminder that there’s something else besides us in this universe; harmonic connection between all living beings, everywhere, even the stars.” – Robin Williams

“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” – Bob Marley

“Music is a safe kind of high.” – Jimi Hendrix

“From the beginning I knew intuitively that if nothing else, music was safe, and that nobody could tell me anything about it. Music didn’t need a middleman, whereas all the other things in school needed some kind of explanation.” – Eric Clapton

"Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.” – Martin Luther

“Music has healing power; it has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours.” – Elton John

“I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.” – Billy Joel

“If you pour some music on whatever’s wrong, it’ll sure help out.” – Levon Helm

“A bird doesn’t sing because is has an answer. It sings because it has a song.” – Maya Angelou

“You could write a song about some kind of emotional problem you are having, but it would not be a good song in my eyes, until it went through a period of sensitivity to a moment of clarity. Without that moment of clarity to contribute to the song it’s just complaining.” – Joni Mitchell

“There’s nothing better than live music. Its raw energy, and raw energy feeds the soul.” – Dhani Jones

“This is what I want in heaven…. for words to become notes and conversations to be symphonies.” – Tina Turner

“Because a song can take you back instantly to a moment, or a place, or even a person. No matter what else has changed in you or the world, that one song stays the same, just like that moment.” – Sarah Dessen

“With the right music, you either forget everything or you remember everything." – Unknown

“Music is the emotional life of most people.” – Leonard Cohen

“Music is a piece of art that goes in the ears, straight to the heart.” – Unknown

“We live in a post-authentic world, and today authenticity is a house of mirrors. It’s all just what you’re bringing when the lights go down. It’s your teachers, your influences, and your personal history. At the end of the day, it’s the power and purpose of your music that still matters.” – Bruce Springsteen

“Sometimes I need to be alone with my music” – "Lilo and Stitch"

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” – Plato

“Music is life, that’s why our hearts have beats.” – Unknown

“Music washes away from the soul, the dust of everyday life.” – Berthold Auerbach

“Music makes us want to live. You don’t know how many times people have told me that they’d been down and depressed and just wanted to die. But then a special song caught their ear and that helped give them renewed strength. That’s the power music has.” – Mary J. Blige

“I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.” –Albert Einstein

"I can’t explain it, but I’ll find a song that can.” – Unknown

“Information is not knowledge. Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is not truth. Truth is not beauty. Beauty is not love. Love is not music. Music is the best.” – Frank Zappa

“Being a singer is a natural gift. It means I’m using to the highest degree possible, the gift that God gave me to use. I’m happy with that.” – Aretha Franklin

And in the words of my Dad’s preteen band obsession, ABBA:

So I say thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing. Thanks for all the joy they're bringing. Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty. What would life be? Without a song or a dance, what are we? So I say thank you for the music, for giving it to me.