“If music be the food of love, play on,
Give me excess of it; that surfeiting,
The appetite may sicken, and so die.”
― William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night
Shakespeare certainly knew what he was talking about even way back in 1623....
Music has always been part of my life. My earliest memories revolve around my dad playing the old vinyl LP's. Weekends were Beatles, Bee Gees, Beach Boys, and scores of other musical legends from the 60s & 70s. There was always music in our home. Of course once we started going out my Dad's sweetest revenge for having him stay up to either come fetch us at 2am or make sure we got in safe was to play Kimera, an Opera singer, at 7am in the morning... just lovely on a Sunday morning...
That being said it certainly meant that between the oldies, the opera and our own current music I had a deep appreciate for all kinds of music. And I've carried that forward throughout my life and passed it on to my boys. From when I was pregnant I would sing to my boys in the womb. Music featured predominantly in my home from when they came home from the hospital. They were taught from a young age to get used to music playing regardless of what was happening. That means that even as teenagers they can sleep through pretty much anything... and they used to whatever blares out the speakers.
You will often find me sitting in my office editing playing a selection of music. Really just depends on my mood. Directly opposite me Nathan sits on his computer (instead of allowing him to confine himself to his room I've set his computer station up in my lounge - that way at least I see I have a child!). One of my best memories this year was whilst playing ABBA I caught Nathan out the corner of my eye singing along... while it was funny to hear him singing along to Mamma Mia it got downright hysterical when he started signing to Gimme Gimme Gimme (a man after midnight)... when he realised what was going on he was all but begging me to change the music but the foot was still tapping away....
Some of my best memories with my boys revolve around music. Especially when they were young. We would often dance around the lounge singing to whatever I had put on to play, either one or both in my arms at a time. Sad songs, dance songs, country songs, old songs... memories made that will last a lifetime.
Kyle is more musically inclined than Nathan and can remember lyrics after hearing a song just once. I wish I could get him to play an instrument but despite piano lessons, buying him a guitar and various other attempts he won't bite. He has a natural talent. Kyle and I share the duets. Whenever one comes on he sings the male and I take the female... it is one of the places we connect harmoniously. It is important for both of us to have at least that one solid connection.
Music certainly soothes my soul. I listen to it all, except heavy metal and of course the rubbish that kids listen to today.. which cannot be classed as music!!! Even Nathan, when listening to the Beatles Tribute show with me said he liked the music because he could hear the words and the song had an ending! Now that is certainly saying something. That was another eye opener for me. Nathan LOVED the Beatles Tribute. I really couldn't believe it. He couldn't get over the fact that the music was 50 years old. It is refreshing to see old music come alive again in younger generations.
Music is also an untapped 'sense'... it takes you back along that winding lane of memories. Some good some bad. Some songs will bring a smile to your lips. Others will bring tears to your eyes. They connect you to those 'remember where you were' moments. Songs can quite literally map the course of your life.