Perhaps I am among the last few who feel this way, but I (at least, for the most part) listen to music to feel or learn something. Sure, music can be viewed as a relaxing and passive action, but I find it unfortunate that so many individuals opt to overlook how deep music can be, and simply view it as entertainment. For example, lately I have been listening to Jon Foreman's Season EP's as well as some music by Relient K. While several of the songs performed by these groups are fun and upbeat, the occasional tune carries a much deeper meaning. When I'm actuality able to connect with the lyrics and rhythm of the music, it becomes something much more surreal and significant. This is when music truly encompasses something more, something meaningful.
An example of this kind of meaningful music is brilliantly displayed in Jon Foreman’s song The Cure for Pain found in his Fall EP. This song never fails to move me, resonate with me, give me chills all over. The hauntingly honest chorus unfailingly pulls me in to make me analyze how I can relate. The brutally honest depiction of how much we waste our lives along with the realization of how much it can hurt when we do so truly resonates with me. Although several people never even attempt to learn from, meditate on, or analyze something from their music, it truly adds a sense of perspective and appreciation. The Cure for Pain has reminded me of the times that I just want to scream out “Enough!” and lay on the floor feeling sorry for myself.
Foreman’s song never fails to reset my focus and show me how much of our time is wasted with meaningless activities which demand so much of ourselves, yet hardly repay us with any sort of knowledge or enlightenment. We waste so much of our time and put so much effort and energy into things that ultimately leave us worse off than we started. Things like meaningless relationships, social networking websites, video games, and so much more. I’m not saying that I never get sucked into Facebook or video games, but they absorb so much of our time while giving back very little. Yes, Facebook has its uses, video games are fun for a time, and anything else that is seen as "time consuming" can have its uses. However, addiction can easily follow, especially when accompanied by stress, fatigue, or anger. I often find myself saying “Well, I’ve been working all day and my parents are really bugging me. I’ll just play a quick game for a minute or two.” As humans, we often seek distractions or addicting activities to move us away from our worries, but the effects of these actions can be painful and cumbersome. “The Cure for Pain” serves as a good reminder of just how pointless and temporary several of our everyday activities are, and it makes you think about who or what is really causing the bulk of the pain in your life.
The song Deathbed by Relient K provides another excellent example of an artist telling a meaningful or emotionally significant story through their music. Deathbed recounts the saddening story of a dying man. It repeatedly tells of the man’s faults and failures, telling the sad story of his life. However, just before the end, the man remembers the night that he was reconciled. He recalls the words that he spoke to God, begging him for forgiveness of his many crimes. This moving song displays my views on what meaningful music is. It inspires you. It resonates with you on the deepest level. It makes you think long and hard, challenging your world view. No matter what you do, you can’t get it out of your head, and its message repeats throughout your day. It invades your thoughts and plays over and over again until you finally understand what the artist is saying, and you learn from their message. A meaningful song involves an artist honestly confessing his failures, emotions, experiences, or observations. And it can change your life.
My final example of music containing a deep and meaningful message is Rite of Spring by Angels and Airwaves. In this particular tune, artist Tom DeLonge reminisces about his less-than-inspirational past, retelling stories of his failures, doubts and painful memories. He then states that if he had another chance at his life, that he wouldn’t dare change a thing. He states that despite his failures, flaws and experiences, good and bad alike, all played a part to make him who he is today. DeLonge may not have it all together, and “Rite of Spring” may not be the most appropriate song that he has written, but he deals with some incredibly deep topics with this song. His views on life, consequences, and more are all reflected in this simple four-minute song. His deep and honest story about his life is a perfect example of how music can be used to tell stories, teach people, and express emotion.
Music seems to have this ability to communicate with people on the deepest level. It can bring back painful or joyous memories. It can remind you of an experience that taught you something pivotal. It can remind you of ideals that you once held dear, but lost while moving through life. It can change the way you view life by teaching you something new. People seem to have this unexplainable connection to each other through music. Somehow, music is able to explain complex, painful and inspirational topics in ways that almost anyone can understand. When music truly encompasses emotion, people are changed. Music is almost like a revolutionary new way to communicate, a method that shatters all barriers of race, language, habit, sex, and philosophy. Emotionally significant music is something that anyone can understand. It’s powerful, yet simple. It’s seemingly common, yet carries more value than great riches. It’s addicting, yet heartbreaking. It can change your entire outlook on life and force you to analyze yourself in a new light.
It truly saddens me to see so many people completely missing this point. People who sway back and forth based off of what is popular today, but will be despised tomorrow. Do they even know how deeply so many musicians are invested in their work? Do they understand that music is more than a means of entertainment? Do they simply enjoy a good rhythm and chorus, but never look at anything more? If so, they are truly missing out on some amazing musical work. I still remember the first time I heard the song How He Loves by David Crowder. I hated it. For some reason, I just couldn’t enjoy or connect with the song in any way. Despite the amazing message contained within the song, I simply ignored it and moved on, viewing it as a waste of time. Then, one evening, after spending the entire day serving the community and spending time with good friends, the song broke through and changed me. Well, more like it broke me and then rearranged the pieces. All of a sudden I could see what Crowder was saying and how it applied to me. I was in tears before I knew it at the sheer appreciation for what God had done for me, and that his love is truly overpowering and indescribable. One line in particular has significantly affected me. “If grace is an ocean we’re all sinking” has changed my outlook on life and how much I owe to God’s grace. The fact that I don’t deserve a shred of grace and that I am, in fact, a broken being, yet that he gives me far more than enough just baffles me. This is music in its purest form. Music that changes you from the inside out (another inspirational song) and can transform an entire community.
Music is so much more than a pastime. It provides a view of the world through the eyes of the artist. It teaches and informs you about mistakes, regret, love, joy, pain, ideas, intimacy, and so much more. It’s a revolutionary way to communicate with the masses, share ideas and beliefs, and discuss life and its many mysteries. Music isn’t simply a bunch of beats and rhythms blending together to sound good. When music encompasses emotion, it becomes something else entirely. It becomes something that can change the world.
