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An Appreciation of Music
Music defines us. It is the very heart of what it means to be human.
You probably have a favourite song that’s constantly on repeat. Maybe it’s something to keep you motivated for that last exercise. Maybe it’s something to help you express an emotion, or perhaps even just something that’s been playing in your head all day. Whatever the song, it can help you relax, to unwind. It can get you ready to face a brand new day.
It’s not just a coincidence that you enjoy music. We live in a world of song, every drop of rain a new melody- every breath of air a song waiting to be sung. The song of nature runs in tune with the rest of the world, just as it has for years. Humanity has been making music for longer than we had the wheel.
Studies have discovered that music can even make plants grow faster. But why does music have such a profound effect on us humans in particular? Research suggests that dopamine is the key. Listening to music activates the many dopamine receptors in our brain, allowing an influx of dopamine to enter our system, leading to the unique ‘feel-good’ sensation.
Music can transport you to another era, whether it’s a specific decade or a pivotal moment in your own life. It should be no great surprise that we’re so emotionally attached to music- it has such a deep link to various elements of our lives.
While we may not enjoy a new music trend or a certain kind of music, we must remember how fortunate we are to be exposed to it at all. While music has always been a means of pushing the frontiers of expression, it’s evident that the rest of the world isn’t doing the same. The numerous musical trends we’ve witnessed in our lifetimes provide an informative view into what is and isn’t being discussed in certain cultures.
“Where words fail, music speaks”, said Hans Christian Anderson. Where the final full stop to this article ends, a song lies in wait for you to listen.
By:
Shreya Nair
Class 12F
