Well you all know that I love to act, though somehow I don't think anyone's seen me do anything other than Shakespeare, and you all know that I love to *try to* dance. However, I really don't think many of you, my loyal readers, have ever really heard me sing to the best of my abilities. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not very shy. At all. And yet, I find myself completely incapable of singing in my normal tones in front of most people. I get nervous and freaked out like you all will judge me on how good my voice is. Really, only my family could tell you how I really sing. And I don't encourage you to ask them.
But all that's beside the point - I recently made a list of 130 of my favorite songs that aren't hymns or from musicals. Do you know what I found out? I had a lot of country, a lot of pop, and a lot of light rock. I also had a lot of stuff that I don't think fits into any of those categories. I even had some opera. So what's the big deal, Rhian? Why bore us all with this stupid discovery?
Well the most honest answer is that when I feel like writing about something, that's what I do. Not to mention I don't write to please anyone. In any case, I felt like writing about music, because these past few days have been great ones for me in that sense - I've spent every moment I'm not doing homework, and even some that I am, singing with some of the most famous artists out there, and getting coached on The Voice by Adam Levine. (If you didn't understand what I just said, like my older sister, its another way of saying that I have a wild imagination). To tell you all the truth, I even spent a few hours pairing up my best friends with One Direction, then touring across the country with them.
Why does music effect people? Why are people moved through music? Why do harmonies make it sound better? Such questions that everyone always asks. To be honest, I don't think anyone really knows, least of all me. Music is a way to pour out emotions. For some reason I have been singing more than ever this past week, and every time I do I feel better and better. I'm happy when I sing. I also seem to have rediscovered my taste for Italian opera, which I've always enjoyed but ever since Forte took the stage of America's Got Talent I have loved it. Josh Groban always took the cake, but then I found footage of him and Josh Page, another of my favorites, singing together and every time I listen to them now, which has been frequently, I get goosebumps. As if that wasn't good enough I then heard Jackie Evancho and Josh Page, and then listened to Forte again and have enjoyed everything immensely.
Looking at comments on Youtube videos, I have discovered that I'm not the only one. People like opera. People are touched by it. They get goosebumps just like me. I've read about people whose lives are changed by music, who are inspired by it, everything. Music is absolutely one of the most amazing gifts of God. you experience life in a different way when you hear it. Unfortunately people seem to forget that.
Ah-ha, but do they? (Speaking of Ah-ha, listen to their "Take on me" It kicks Christina Aguilera's "Feel this Moment" to the trash bin. She stole their music, anyway...no offense if anyone loves Christina Aguilera.) Since I have lately been enjoying recaps of The Voice and America's got Talent and watching old clips of The X Factor, my faith in humanity has begun to get restored. Time and again people talk about their healing through music, how God gave them the gift of their voice and how they want to be able to use it for the good of the world. Most were raised in religious families and learned their musical abilities at church. I have been amazed at the faith of these people. Living in a culture with musical people like Miley Cyrus and others who not only put trash in their songs but act like trash themselves, one hardly expects to find any realization among people for what music really is.
And I could go on and on and on and on and on and if anyone has bothered to read this far I am impressed by you. Bravo! My advice to you today: Sing! Listen! I love some of today's artists (OneRepublic, One Direction, Maroon Five, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, and occasionally P!nk), but listen to the classics, especially, and if anyone needed a song when their in a sad mood to help them feel better, listen to Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohn. It's not peppy, so it won't irritate you, and it always makes me feel better somehow. Feeling random? Africa, by Toto. In a really excited mood? Pinball Wizard by The Who. Romantic? We Belong (either Lowen and Navarro's version or Pat Benatar's is fine, the latter is more fast-paced). Missing summer? The Beach Boys can make you almost smell the waves. In the dramatic mood that I usually find myself in? Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi. If you really want goosebumps, then look up Forte on America's got talent. Any of their songs will do. You can also try Celtic Woman's Jesu Joy of Man's desiring. Never fails to make me shiver. Are you feeling Irish by chance? Parting Glass by the High Kings. And if, like me, you sometimes feel a crave for Christmas Carols, particularly the Little Drummer Boy, listen to Josh Groban's version.
Congratulations, you have successfully completed a long-winded rant on the good of music. Stay tuned for Part Two: "How the Music Industry is Going Downhill." Maybe.
"Music expresses that which cannot be said and cannot remain silent." - Victor Hugo
-Rhian
P.S. I really didn't mention country... it seems to me that country music alone never seems to change. Maybe that's why I love it so much.
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