Linking Our Emotions with Music

All of us express emotion differently. The causes and experience of feelings such as joy, sadness, and anger come from many different sources in life. Often they are associated with the people and relationships around us. Life is full of unexpected things - which makes it more interesting and I think there are a ton of songs that convey these emotions. 

Joy:
All I Wanna Do
Sheryl Crow

I love the vibe that Sheryl Crow's music gives off. This song just makes me feel good because its about doing your own thing and experiencing life with a carefree, fun attitude. It makes me think of summer time when each day has endless possibilities for new adventures. This song also attempts to draw other people into this same mood and contagiously spreads joy. Not to blatantly use references from our textbook but joy is an incredibly special feeling. I think of it as a heightened state of "Flow," were someone is so happy, crazy, and in love with life that all of their worries vanish and the mind is focused on the present.


Sadness: 
One and Only 
Adele

Love is such a complicated and delicate emotion. This song make me think of false hope, hope that maybe a specific person could reciprocate the feelings I had for them. I get sad listening to this song because its about declaring your love for someone, and not receiving the same response. Is it fair that I had to give up my feelings for someone because they weren't ready to be in a relationship? I'm a firm believer that actions speak louder than words and I'm done waiting around for an answer because it's gotten to the point of interfering with other aspects of my life. I was ready, and it sucks because I don't completely understand how this other person feels about me. As the song says "nobody's perfect," and a lot of the time relationships don't work out because of specific differences. I've learned in this course that what makes me different from some people may allow me to form connections with others, and I hope that to be true. 


Anger: 
Push 
Matchbox 20

A lot of anger comes from the inability to understand something. Not having control or being able to accomplish a task leads to frustration and makes people pissed. This song is about a girl who can't let herself trust anyone after experiencing a heartbreak. And because of a past boyfriend's unfaithfulness she has to assume each new person has the same intentions. Anger is an emotion I avoid because it makes people do things that can sever ties in relationships. People also con't communicate effectively when they are really angry which often leads to physical violence, hence, "Push." 


Family:
I'll Stand By You 
The Pretenders

The title of this song communicates what I believe the main function of a family is. Whether its a good or bad day you're going to come home to a family that loves and supports you no matter what. Also, members of families should be able to empathize with each other's hardships. Parents should give advice to their children and siblings are there to help you get away with stuff without mom or dad finding out. Over the past year I've really grown close to my sister and we now come to each other for anything. Even though I may not have the same political or religious ideas as my family we respect each other and treat other people similarly.


Being a Man: 
Walk Like a Man 
The Four Seasons 

This song expresses how a dad teaches his son to act like a man. In our society a father is expected to have certain influences on his son, and to discourage some behaviors that may not be perceived as "manly." A lot of boys look up their fathers and idolize them. Whether its through sports or whatever it the son's job to not embarrass his father. I know that when I was younger I tried every single sport, I played on teams and tried out for the ones at school. The truth is I really didn't like competing on any of them, I wasn't having fun or making friends. It was hard to tell my dad that I didn't want to play anymore. I felt like I was letting him down. 


Today, things are different. I realize now that my dad taught me how to be a man through honesty, respect, and dedication. I'm proud of the man I am today and I'm not worried about what I'm "supposed" to be like. 






-- Matt