Patterns
For many, music is the soundtrack to our lives. Think, That was my DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince era. Or, I still remember my first love, Meegan McSwayne, whenever I hear that Toni Braxton track. Songs are starter pistols. They often have the power to evoke memories and emotions with a single, memorable note. (Gimme the first note of AC/DC’s Back in Black and I’ll take it from there.)
Yesterday was Canada Day. Invariably, when you think of nearly any celebration, music rides shotgun. So there I was, bopping around the pool with my Jason Priestley curated Canada Day soundtrack, singing along with reckless abandon, seamlessly moving from Top of the World by Rascalz to Bryan Adams’ Summer of ‘69 – a true classic.
Oh, when I look back now
That summer seemed to last forever
And if I had the choice
Yeah, I’d always want to be there
Those were the best days of my life
As the song’s catchy chorus repeated itself, I got to thinking, What were the best days of my life? And then it occurred to me that I bloody well hope the best days of my life weren’t during the Cola Wars.
Is it possible that popular music dupes us into repetitive thought patterns by focusing our attention on catchy renditions of past circumstances, while ignoring who we are today? Is music used deliberately to manipulate its listeners into a hypnotic illusion that our past triumphs and failures are where it’s at?
Music has power – immense power. As with any powerful energy, it may be used positively or negatively. I wonder if the North American canon of popular music perpetuates stale thoughts. Moreover, I wonder if we’re doing ourselves a disservice by affirming that “Love Bites” or that you have to “Put a Ring On It.”
My affirmation is that the best days of my life are right now. It doesn’t mean that I won’t listen to my favorite songs and albums, just like I still read my favorite books. But more in keeping with the way I appreciate new content in the book world, I’m in search of music that’s outside the realm of the few massive music companies that dominate the airwaves – and your brainwaves.
Let’s make up our own lyrics, affirming that life just keeps getting better.