Music runs throughout our everyday lives. It's everywhere. It could be in the elevator, at a restaurant, stores, coffee shops, and on your phone. Because it is everywhere, it has become a normal thing, and sometimes we don't even realize it's playing anymore. Over break, I went to one of the many libraries in Oklahoma City and noticed it was even playing softly through the speakers there.
Towards the end of break, I started listening to bands that I had never really listened to before, let alone even heard of, like Honor Society, We the Kings, Good Charlotte, Muse, and Passenger. Upon doing this, I went back and revisited some bands or artists I liked and found songs I had never heard of, "Wherever You Are" by Five Seconds Of Summer being the one that stuck out the most. Music was an escape. I liked that. Music does many things. It can release emotions, fill empty spaces, work as a stress reliever, and offer encouragement. You can even match it to moods.
When I got back to Stillwater, I asked a few of my friends what their favorite artists or bands were to which I got back ones I knew of like The 1975, Adele, One Republic, The Fray, and The Neighbourhood. But I also got back ones I had never heard of like The Doors, Kevin Abstract, and Alt J. From this, I then started listening to these bands, and there was a newfound love for music.
I asked my friend Madison what made her determine what a good song was, and she told me that she loved when the instruments in the song switched up and almost made it sound like it goes from one song to another. An example of this would be "Ode to Sleep" by Twenty One Pilots. I also asked the same question to my friend Kirsten, and she said that she liked when lyrics had relatability and were meaningful. No one likes a song with no substance.
I think what makes a song good is relatability as well. You just connect at a more personal level with the song if it has relevance in your life. The lyrics can speak your mind in ways you never even thought possible. You could find new ways to express how you are feeling just from the song. A song could even have such an impact in your life without you even knowing it.
Even with my newfound love for different types of music, I will never let the bands, artists, or songs I have come to love go. One Direction, Bleachers, Backstreet Boys, and Charlie Puth will still hold a place in my music love. But now, I get to love other bands and songs as well. I got to branch out, go out of my comfort zone and discover music that was waiting for me the entire time. I have been able to find this music that speaks to me in so many ways I never thought music could. I only wish I had found this music sooner. So next time you are in the car with your friend, listening to the radio and a song comes on that you don't think you would normally like, keep it on and listen to it because you never know what music was waiting for you to give it a chance.
