In this day and age, with dubstep, rap, and country songs on constant shuffle through our headphones while we walk to class or work out at the gym, our music tastes have evolved. This is no new story. Decades like the '60s and '70s saw the complete takeover of music by the genre of rock and roll. The millennial generation's definition of an "oldie" includes Hillary Duff's early-2000s "Metamorphosis" album. While music taste and technology continue with each day, it is important we continue to acknowledge the roots of all music culture: classical music.

Even today, as I sat down to write my article and quickly realized that writer's block had robbed me of any potential creativity, I quickly resorted to my favorite tactic of clearing my head. I am not the only one who uses music to decompress and hit reset. In fact, an article by USA Today talks about why it may be a good idea for everyone to use music as it is linked to many health benefits. Now, I understand that classical music may not be most people's first choice, but I strung together a few of my favorite examples to help show why you shouldn't write it off so quickly.

"Für Elise" by Ludwig van Beethoven

"Nocturne, Op. 9 No. 2" by Chopin

"Träumerei" by Robert Schumann

"Canon in D" by Pachelbel

"Ballade, Op. 100 No. 15" by Johann Friedrich Burgmüller

"Arabesque" by Claude Debussy

I owe my appreciation for classical music to my parents. After all, they were the ones who dragged me to piano lessons at age 8 and it was not long before I grew to love it. My piano teacher would play me these songs, and I promised myself I would work hard to learn them all one day on the keys. I've crossed a few of these songs off my list now, and I love them even more than I did back then. Even if I wasn't able to convince you that classical music is worth a listen with these few songs, it is still necessary to remember that classical music is the foundation for all the songs we know and love today. Thanks for listening!