Beyond the sound and the beat in every song, there’s meaning. Somewhere a person, just like you and me, created this song that was meant to touch someone. It was created through a heartbreak, a time of falling in love, watching a child grow, finding who they are, a good time, etc. The songs that we create memories with and that will stay with us forever. The songs that touch us during a time of need rather it is grieving, a bump in the road, a heartbreak, or falling in love.

I know I am not alone when I say this, but where would I be without music. As dramatic as it sounds, it is true. Well obviously my life is shaped by way more than music, but music is apart of it. Music is there when no one else can be for me. When I am alone away at school, or driving to work, it is music that I turn to and listen to to help me get to where I need to be.

Music created by Imagine Dragons, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Bassnectar, Big Gigantic, The Lumineers, and many more, have helped me on my way home from school, complete my homework, and workout. Aretha Franklin, Imagine Dragons (again), Selena Gomez, and Carrie Underwood have gotten me through the breaking of my heart for various reasons. These songs that were created to touch someone, touched me. The words, the beats, would speak to me and help me for whatever it is I needed help with at the time.

Memories good and bad were created with almost every song I heard. A song triggers a memory and brings me back to that exact moment! "Just Fishin" by Trace Adkins reminds me of growing up fishing with my dad, "Girl Crush" by Little Big Town brings me to a family road trip to New York, "Respect" by Aretha Franklin takes me to the time I was singing and dancing at work and "You Are My Sunshine" helps me remember my great grandma. Almost every song I hear, takes me back to a day of my life and helps me remember that day. Songs I hear while having a good time with my friends with stick in my head and bring me back. Songs I heard with someone I fell for remind me how far I have come since. Songs I hear to kick off my day remind me that I can do anything I want to.

And when I see music live, that is when I love it the most. There is nothing better than live music, whether it is a cover band playing on the street in Nashville or a big-time star singing to a sold out show. There is nothing better than witnessing the raw talent and emotions of live music.

There is nothing better than being in a crowd of people and realizing you are all the same in that moment. In that moment, and time span of two hours or beyond, you are there and the world around you pauses for a second.

The harsh world we come to know today goes away, because with live music there is nothing but love and peace. Rather it is the bass beating through your heart or the singer belting out lyrics so beautifully it brings tears to your eyes. The passion you see at concerts, music festivals, a local fest or on the street is what life is about. And during this live music, you hear these songs that touch you and take you back to a memory. Music helps us find ourselves, love, heal our souls, and make our days better.