Music is everywhere we go; there's no denying that. And often the music we listen to defines who we are as individuals. I mean, sure, we all have our guilty pleasure songs that we enjoy listening to just because ("High School Musical" songs or some Jonas Brothers, yes), or that popular rap song you like hearing at parties, but more often than not the songs we gravitate towards when we plug in our headphones at the end of the day say a lot about our character and how we perceive many aspects of the world.

Personally, I do not prefer to listen to the "top 40" songs that play back-to-back on the radio 24/7. Sure, I'll listen to them when I'm with friends if that's the music they like (and yes, I'll sing along to Justin Bieber's "'Love Yourself"), or if I hear one of the songs in public, but that music isn't typically my cup of tea. Music has been a major part of my life ever since I was little. My dad would play different rock bands in the house and in the car with me, and little did I know at the time that it would impact me as much as it did. The main band he would play with me was the Red Hot Chili Peppers (RHCP), and I specifically remember the exact album and song that he played. To this day, the Red Hot Chili Peppers remain to be my all-time favorite band, and it's something I share and relate to with my dad. Music and mutually appreciated bands have always been what brings us the closest.

My dad has always been my number one inspiration when it comes to music, and it is due to his influences that I favor the music that I listen to today. I primarily listen to rock, alternative, and classic rock music, and these three genres are my favorite. I have come to find the most solace amongst songs from these genres, and they are where I have been the most deeply moved. With the influence of my dad, I have been made aware of the fact that music is something so special in this world. In my opinion, it should be something that saves you. When and if nothing else seems to be going right, music can offer an alternative realm for you to escape to.

I think it should be a lot deeper than just meaningless rhymes and overdone machine-produced sounds made for the sole purpose of obtaining that "number one" spot on the top 40's chart. There is so much pressure placed on artists today to conform to the social standard of today's music and to create songs that "people want to hear," and far less emphasis on creating music that possesses both meaning and originality. And that is simply what music is, an art. The best music is created when it reflects the artist's inner self, the portion of them not always seen from the outside or by others.

Now, by no means am I stating that everything played on the radio is awful. Some of the music on the top 40s chart does possess the previous qualities, but I am stating that too often these days, genuine, meaningful music is hard to come by. And it's a shame. Being able to hear and detect the sincerity and emotion in an artist's voice, lyrics, and music is what it should all be about. And sure, some music you just want to listen to when at a party or out-and-about. That's both understandable and relatable. But other, more personal times, it's the meaningful stuff that counts. And I would take that stuff over anything else, any day.

Music has been the one thing in my life that has remained so constant and familiar, and it is the one thing I always turn to time and time again. It provides me with a rare sense of comfort that not many other things can provide. Without the influence it has had on me, I would not be the person I am today. I owe so much to bands such as RHCP, Boston, Journey, The Killers, and Panic! at the Disco (to name a few) who have inspired, helped, and guided me in ways I never thought possible. Next time you go to look for a song to listen to on a long drive or to pass time, I implore you to branch out of the every day top 40's chart; you may just be surprised and impressed at what you come to find.