COLUMN: Music is so much more than background noise on TV – Meadville Tribune
Posted: October 4, 2020 at 7:54 pm
Music is many things to many people.
I have known that for many years, but this week it seemed to be emphasized by a couple of things on TV.
One was background music, which I thought was so loud it drowned out the dialogue and rather annoyed me.
The other was a realization that just before a dramatic scene the music seemed to intensify as though to say "pay attention; something important or dramatic is going to happen." Again, I have known that for eons, but it hit me the other night when I was only half-watching TV and the music got louder and I had to pay attention or miss the important part of the shown.
I recently attended a funeral in which a soloist sang two songs, "One Day at a Time" and "Love Lifted Me." She did a beautiful job and I thought it really spoke volumes about the person to whom we were paying tribute.
At church, we have been blessed to have both a praise team, which sings beautiful music (including my favorite which says "God Knows Your Name"), and a praise band, which definitely adds to the worship experience. There is something about people making beautiful music together which speaks to my soul, uplifting my spirit, reminding me how important music is in so many ways.
It seems music has always been important to me. I have loved country music foragesand still do. I think it speaks to the mind and spirit with its honesty in the messages itportrays. Whether it's a sad song or a party song, some of my favorites always remind me of thingsthatwere important to me. I love some of Randy Travis' songs and, of course, George Jones and Merle Haggard.
For party music I'd put Alabama and Garth Brooks up against anyother artistsfor getting the crowd to really celebrate life and have fun. They really put people in a happy mood, ready to let off steam. Of course, Garth Brooks also has some songs like "The River," "The Dance" and "Unanswered Prayers," which I think have the best messages about life and love that anyone could imagine. They truly speak to me about things that make a difference in how we live.
Somehow I never liked classical music until my granddaughter played violin, and now I think some of it is beautiful especially if she is playing it. But, it's still not my favorite for reasons unknown to me.
Rock and roll was music I grew up listening to;I still enjoy it, although mostly now I hear it as background music, not really party music.
Holiday songs are geared to get people into theseasonalspirit and it usually works, no matter if it is a novelty song or a religious song. They all speak to the celebrationsthemselves,from Thanksgiving to Easter and even the Fourth of July.
"Silver Bells" will always be my favorite Christmascarolbecause it was sung by my mom for so many years as she rocked the kids to sleep, singing it over and over. Hearingittoday seems to say my mom is nearby.
Like movies, it's hard to choose favorite songs if asked because, depending on the mood, one or another would be my favorite.
I have to admit, though, I still love Bill Luther's song, "Who You'd Be Today," because it makes me remember and to wonder what life would have been like. It's still a powerful song that speaks volumes about how people feel sometimes.
Those who are music therapists tell us how important music is to those who are ill and howitcan soothe their soul and lift their spirits and even get them to sing sometimes.
It is a gift, I think, to be able to sing beautifully or play beautifully and to perform the songs that talented songwriters have given us to enjoy to use in praise, to dance to, to sing to, or just have when a relaxing day is needed.
Somehow songs that are so meaningful do just that.
The song "Sanctuary" will always remind me of a beautiful moment during an anniversary celebration when a young boy led the congregation in an impromptu singing of the favorite chorus which truly does speak to our soul.
Each person has his or her favorite song and I hope each one enjoys the songs as much as i enjoy my favorites and that they still enjoy them when some of them are used in commercials instead ofonthe dance floor.
I also hope that asLee Ann Womack's songsays, that given the opportunity, "I hope you dance."
And if you don't like to dance, I hope you at least enjoy the lyrics and the tunes which make your day go just as little bit brighter, your soul feel a little bit lighter, your life a whole lot better.
That's what music is really intended for, I think not just to warn you a dramatic part is coming on a TV show.
Jean Shanley is retired from The Meadville Tribune where she was society and communities editor.
Continued here:
COLUMN: Music is so much more than background noise on TV - Meadville Tribune
- How Lofi Hip-Hop Will Inspire New Music In 2021 - Forbes - December 28th, 2020
- 10 Ways to De-stress During the Holidays - American Salon - December 28th, 2020
- Best Games To Play If You Want To Immerse Yourself In Escapism From Your Depressing Reality - TheGamer - December 28th, 2020
- 22 Things To Do in Real Life and Virtually This Week in Denver - 303 Magazine - December 28th, 2020
- Science Says These Are The Most Relaxing Christmas Songs Ever - B&T - December 19th, 2020
- Meditative Activities 6 Relaxing Activities That Will Help You Unwind - Morocco World News - December 19th, 2020
- Lo-Fi Room preview - Chill to the beat of this relaxing rhythm game - Pocket Gamer - December 19th, 2020
- 5 great military soundtracks to study or just relax to - We Are The Mighty - December 19th, 2020
- Juliette Grco remembered by Abd al Malik | Music - The Guardian - December 19th, 2020
- How to Give a Massage That's Actually Better Than Sex - InsideHook - December 19th, 2020
- Beethoven at 250: famous figures share what his music means to them, in 250 words - Classic FM - December 19th, 2020
- Having trouble falling asleep? Lush have added a brand new mask to their "miracle" Sleepy range - Her.ie - October 4th, 2020
- The Unwind: How were finding calm, from hiking to morning meditation - Yahoo News Canada - October 4th, 2020
- Aromatherapy & Essential Oils-New And Convenient Ways To Relax At Home - Highway Mail - October 4th, 2020
- Working smart: Using technology to reduce stress - KnowTechie - October 4th, 2020
- The ten essential facts you need to know about BTS's Suga - Film Daily - October 4th, 2020
- Theater Producers Go Rogue In The COVID Era - KNPR - October 4th, 2020
- Expert's simple tips on how to sleep through a thunderstorm - Liverpool Echo - August 16th, 2020
- Quick, stress-reducing strategies to help you better deal with challenges and anxieties - The Irish Times - August 16th, 2020
- CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Aug. 15 - Destin Log - August 16th, 2020
- 5 ways to cope with cannabis-induced anxiety - The GrowthOp - August 16th, 2020
- 6 Hidden Low-Grade Stressors That Lurk In A Remote Workspace - Forbes - August 10th, 2020
- Live music returns to Eagles Nest Ranch - CHAT News Today - August 10th, 2020
- Spotify Has Playlists & Podcasts for Animals That Are Paw-fect for Your Pets! - WORLD OF BUZZ - August 10th, 2020
- ams Survey Finds Consumers Expect to 'Hear What They Want to Hear' Without Compromise on Earbud Comfort - Business Wire - August 10th, 2020
- The Best VR Meditation Apps To Try - ARPost - August 10th, 2020
- 5 Thing You Can Do To Make Your Weeks Run Smoother - L.A. Weekly - August 10th, 2020
- How to Be a Morning Person When You're Really a Night Owl - StyleBlueprint - August 10th, 2020
- Repose playlists for the week of August 10, 2020 - Interlochen - August 10th, 2020
- Outdoor theatre and music can restart in England from 11 July - The Guardian - July 9th, 2020
- Honkytonk hero: Cody Ikerd opens an early Cerafest series on Saturday - The Republic - July 9th, 2020
- Guided Meditation: Relieve stress and improve sleep patterns with this holistic practice - Hindustan Times - July 9th, 2020
- Styles Of Music And How They Effect Kid's Moods, Explained - Moms - July 8th, 2020
- 7 Steps for Getting Enough Sleep During the Coronavirus Crisis and Beyond - Thrive Global - July 8th, 2020
- Wave Redux is a stylish chill-out game from the creator of Death Hall and Wave Wave - Pocket Gamer - July 8th, 2020
- Coronavirus and Insomnia: How to Sleep Well during COVID19... - United News of Bangladesh - July 8th, 2020
- All the iOS 14 features coming to iPhones that Android had first - CNET - July 8th, 2020
- Mike Shinoda on writing an album on Twitch, 20 years of Hybrid Theory and Chester Benningtons voice - NME - July 8th, 2020
- 5 surprising music hacks to try with your Amazon Echo - CNET - July 8th, 2020
- This weeks on-air highlights including Album of the Week and Discovery - Classic FM - July 8th, 2020
- This Minimalist composition is a shimmering latticework on which to hang your thoughts - The Boston Globe - June 23rd, 2020
- WWDC2020: Sleep tracking comes to Apple Watch at last, amid otherwise minor fitness updates - MobiHealthNews - June 23rd, 2020
- After Months Spent Inside, The Great Indoors Is Uncannily Relevant - Vulture - June 23rd, 2020
- Apple Wind Down mode wants you to get to bed on time - CNET - June 23rd, 2020
- 7 Ways Technology Can Help you Make the Most of Your Summer Pasadena Weekendr - Pasadena Now - June 23rd, 2020
- 7 new iOS 14 features coming to the iPhone that Android already has - CNET - June 23rd, 2020
- The pandemic is showing us the opportunities that publishers have beyond the traditional book - Scroll.in - June 23rd, 2020
- From the Pyramid stage to your sofa: how to recreate Glastonbury at home - The Guardian - June 23rd, 2020
- Coronavirus: What is the future for the UK's theatres and music scene? - ITV News - June 23rd, 2020
- Tygas new single Vacation has major relaxing vibes to it: Watch it here - Republic World - Republic World - June 19th, 2020
- NoCap And Lil Uzi Vert Arent Here To Celebrate on Count a Million - Rolling Stone - June 19th, 2020
- Signs Of A High Needs Baby (& What To Do) | BabyGaga - BabyGaga - June 19th, 2020
- Dua Lipa films steamy new music video with boyfriend Anwar Hadid so she isnt writhing around with another ma - The Sun - June 19th, 2020
- Triple M's No Talk Day: How To Start The Conversation - Triple M - June 19th, 2020
- 5 ways to create me time moments in your #wfh week - Her.ie - June 18th, 2020
- 'I am a violinist for peace and love' - The Republic - June 18th, 2020
- Theatr Clwyd in Mold ready to open doors 'once the world allows' - LeaderLive - June 18th, 2020
- 10 Best Meditation Apps for Android and iPhone - Beebom - June 18th, 2020
- 50 of the Most Expensive Homes for Sale in the Madison Area - Rapid City Journal - June 18th, 2020
- Cherie Lowe: The power of looking ahead - Daily Journal - June 11th, 2020
- Drake-endorsed rising star Roy Woods: I was in a dark place and needed to get back to the old me - NME.com - June 11th, 2020
- 10 calming hobbies to take up now - BreakingNews.ie - June 8th, 2020
- What is acute insomnia? How to diagnose and treat your short-term sleeping troubles - Insider - INSIDER - June 8th, 2020
- 12 Easy Ways To Calm Your Anxiety During The Pandemic - Longevity LIVE - June 8th, 2020
- Track of the Week #106 - God Is In The TV - June 8th, 2020
- COVID-19 Heroes: Bread baking as 'therapy,' and a way to help, in lockdown - Crain's Detroit Business - May 24th, 2020
- Breaking News - Sit Back, Unwind and Watch Relaxing Old Footage with Joe Pera to Calm Your Worries - The Futon Critic - May 24th, 2020
- Letter to the Editor: A relaxing walk by the sea? No it was not - Bournemouth Echo - May 24th, 2020
- An A to Z of old words to calm and inspire hope - The Guardian - May 24th, 2020
- As Tampa Bay reopens, live music slowly dials up the volume - Tampa Bay Times - May 21st, 2020
- Brattleboro duo Aura Shards taking a 'hands-on' approach to a new world of music - Brattleboro Reformer - May 21st, 2020
- World Meditation Day 2020: Everything you need to find inner peace - The Independent - May 21st, 2020
- Brits are turning to music and podcasts to boost their wellbeing - goodtoknow - May 21st, 2020
- Tennessee to lift capacity and live music restrictions for restaurants in 89 counties, allow large attractions to reopen on Friday - WBIR.com - May 21st, 2020
- From relaxing the mind to preventing fatigue: Health benefits of sound massage therapy you should know - PINKVILLA - May 21st, 2020
- Relaxing Music Every Mom Should Have in the Background - Music Times - April 22nd, 2020
- The Davin-Levin Duos relaxing debut album, Banter, couldnt have come at a better time - The Dallas Morning News - April 22nd, 2020
- Which states are re-opening and relaxing coronavirus social distancing rules? - The Sun - April 22nd, 2020
- Willie Jones' 'Back Porch' Invites You to Kick Back and Relax - The Boot - April 22nd, 2020
- Is your family struggling emotionally? The sound of music is there to help - The New Daily - April 22nd, 2020