Music Is an International Language in a Sense
"Music is the universal language of mankind" stated Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in 1835. I prefer to state that music is a form of international language, international in the sense that musical tunes can be conveyed to and recognized by persons of various languages. But music is not a universal language, because persons differ in the extent to which they understand and benefit from music, as well as in their tastes in it. Some even dislike most if not all music.
My Perspective
For me, music is a sideline, and not a centerpiece. I usually just listen to music in the background while I am doing something else, such as washing dishes. And even when doing things like washing dishes, I often do other things than listen to music, including listening to news or a sermon message on the radio, or just quietly meditating.
Me and Musical Instruments
I appreciate the talents of those who read music and/or play various instruments well. But I can not read music. Nor can I play an instrument. I do still have a cheap flute that I may have owned for decades, pictured below in two photos.
My Music Tastes
The time I love music most is during the Christmas season. I enjoy listening to Christmas music, both contemporary songs and traditional Christian hymns. It gets me even more in a positive frame of mind, instilling the Christmas Spirit I guess one could say. The fact that many stores play Christmas music during the season indicates that it is effective or perceived as being effective for the stores. [Disclosure: My current second job is working as a part-time store clerk.]
I also enjoy listening to positive uplifting contemporary Christian songs by artists like Michael W. Smith, as well as a few classic hymns like "How Great Thou Art" and "Amazing Grace." Some soft rock songs appeal to me, too, including several by Simon & Garfunkel and by the Beatles from the 1960s to 1970. As a kid I also liked the positive, upbeat Fifth Dimension song "Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In." Perhaps one reason I loved that song is the fact that I am an Aquarian; but, I also liked its uplifting message.
I generally dislike the country songs that tell a sad story, and the Christmas song "Blue Christmas." I think listening to sad songs like those contributes toward making one sad. I think there is a correlation between persons who enjoy listening to that type of music and persons who suffer from depression. I admit that this is based on my observations of some persons rather than a scientific study. However, in a later section of this article I briefly refer to a study that indicated a correlation between depression and listening to music.
What I call "message" songs also impact people, in my opinion. These songs promote some type of message, whether it be "peace," "love," "patriotism," or something else.
I like some message songs like "One Tin Soldier" by Coven and "Indian Reservation" by Paul Revere and the Raiders. I think some songs can inspire one to take positive actions, and some can make one angry. And playing Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A." is a tradition at some Fourth of July festivals; it seems to help instill pride in the United States. I enjoy hearing it.
Patriotism and "The Star-Spangled Banner"
And the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" before sporting events in the United States is one way to help instill national unity and patriotism, as well as respect for the United States flag that is displayed at such occasions. But it is important not to confuse patriotism with nationalism. True patriotism requires putting obedience to the highest righteous authority (which I call God) above nationalism. As United States Senator Carl Schurz defined patriotism long before I was born: "My country right or wrong. When right to keep right; when wrong, to put right." I respect those who choose not to stand for the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Music and Depression
Many talk about the therapeutic effect of music, but I think often those who are most heavily involved in listening to music seem to be more depressed than the average person. A journal article published in 2011 based on data from an earlier study of teens indicated a correlation (not necessarily causation) between depression and listening to music more than the average person, as reported by various news pieces, including a Time.com article.
Those of us who are actively doing constructive things are perhaps happier than those passively retreating into listening to music or even playing music. Even positive, upbeat music I think needs to be kept in the proper perspective, being a sideline rather than a centerpiece of one's life.
Music in Perspective
Often the real world sounds of birds singing, cats purring, dogs barking happily, ocean waves, or water running over a waterfall can be more peaceful and relaxing than the artificial man-made musical sounds, as I see it. Man-made music needs to be kept in proper perspective.
I think persons walking around with headphones on listening to music instead of conversing with passersby or listening to natural sounds miss out on a lot, as well as possibly endangering lives if they don't hear cars and other things around them due to the headphones.
Yes, music can have a variety of effects on people. Let's enjoy its benefits, but let's also keep it in perspective.
NOTE:
This article was last revised February 16, 2023.
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