For as long as I can remember, I have spent each and every day listening to at least 3 hours worth of music. Whether it’s during a bus ride home from the city, my absurdly long showers, in the background as I clean my room, or checking out my Discover Weekly playlist on Spotify, I can not go a day without dedicating a solid portion of my time to music. While it’s mostly just because I like something to fill the silence with, it’s also due to the fact that it makes me a generally happier individual. Studies have been done for years about the effect music can have on a person. We all have that one song that comes on the radio we just have to turn up and sing along to without hesitation. We also have a song that reminds us of a certain time in our lives. There are songs that make us want to dance, cry, scream, or profess our undying love for someone. No matter the situation, there is always a song to go along with it.
Recently, researchers from Durham University and the University of Jyväskylä made the claim that even sad music can help us feel better when we’re feeling down. I can absolutely attest to this notion, as I have a customized playlist for when I’m not feeling my best. It’s appropriately titled, “songs for the soul.” It’s a compilation of some of my favorite tunes, not just different in genre, but also subject matter. Of course, I have songs like “Swim" by Jack’s Mannequin which urges listeners to never give up and remind themselves about all they do have that make life worth living. The playlist also has songs such as "I Don’t Mind" by Defeater, detailing a blossoming relationship and all the great feelings that come along with it, as well as hope for the future together. While it's not a song dedicated to life's low moments, it's still one that makes me feel alive.When it comes to bettering your mood, it’s not necessarily what the song is about, but the feelings it elicits. A good song can distract you, but a great song can make you feel understood.
This concept of music in relation to feelings is utilized consistently in TV shows and movies. There’s a reason music supervisors are used in the entertainment industry. It’s their job to make sure whichever track is playing during a pivotal scene reflects the plot, even if the audience doesn’t take notice right away, if at all. I was watching the season 2 finale of the now off-air show Greek when I began to see how this plays out. Basically, a character was confronted with the prospect of getting back together with his ex-girlfriend when The Temper Trap’s “Sweet Disposition” began to play. He wasn’t sure what the right thing to do was, even if he felt that she was the one he was supposed to be with. The song hits the nail on the head as far as getting across those emotions being shown on screen. I could sense the shift in my attitude occurring. My heart was pounding, I was involuntarily smiling, and I had to know what was going to happen. The storyline might have been enough to intrigue the audience, but it’s pushed further by the soundtrack. Try muting the television during a scene that is accompanied by music. I guarantee you won’t feel so deeply.
At the end of the day, it’s up to us to turn things around. Maybe a song can’t literally better your life, but it can improve your mentality which should be enough to jumpstart the change you need. It’ll take away all that stress and anxiety that clogs your mind. Use it as your own type of superpower. Just like Michael Phelps uses music to pump him up before diving into the pool, I urge you to find your own music selection that pushes you into the mindset that you can take on anything.
