I adore music.
It’s something that makes my soul live and breathe.
Though I have two degrees in music, classically based, my love for many kinds of notes, chord progressions, and sounds is irrefutable. I’m one of those people that would rather be listening to music than be in silence.
Bring in the invention of Spotify.
It’s amazing – all of my favorite music in one place, customizable playlists, options to share music with friends, suggested music…It’s basically a music listener’s dream. The next best part is I can listen to all this music on the go! As someone who takes public transportation, which is often crowded and loud, being able to escape into a musical world of my own offers a small joy on an otherwise long, and sometimes stressful, journey.
Recently, I’ve been listening to full albums.
Not just playlists I’ve created with my favorite songs, but full albums from start to finish, from one artist, without turning on shuffle play. I’ve found that I’ve rediscovered the beauty and the artistry that is the album. And I’ve realized I want to share my reawakening with others.
All of this made me wonder, when did listening to music become so individualistic?
It probably began on July 1, 1979 when Sony Corp. introduced the Walkman. Remember that? The boxy thing you could put cassette tapes and later CDs into and listen on the go? I got one that was bright pink for my 11th birthday.
Then the portable MP3 was introduced in the mid 90’s, shortly followed by the announcement of iPods on October 23, 2001 and what a joy it was to realize we didn’t have to lug around CDs anymore. I remember saving for my first iPod, it was expensive, but my 15-year-old self was thrilled by the concept. Now our smartphones have capabilities we only dreamt could be reality, music at the touch of a screen: Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, Pandora. Music at our fingertips is something we take for granted these days.
But lost along the way of these technological advances was musical companionship.
Back in the day, when people bought a record at the store, they went home, took out the record player, and had to make sure first that the music wouldn’t bother anyone (though I’m sure many a family listened to The Beatles more times than they wanted). Second, maybe they invited someone to listen with them, or maybe it just happened naturally that when the music came on people were drawn to the source.
When was the last time we experienced music together?
Not just at a dinner party or in a coffee shop. When was the last time we saw the spark in another’s eyes when the lyrics spoke to them or when the musical phrase shifted to something unexpected?
When I was in college, my brother, John, got a record player. I remember sitting with him in his second floor apartment, my second brother, David, and I sprawled out on the floor, the rain softly pattering outside the window, a warm cup of coffee within reach, as we listened to the new album by Bon Iver.
I must say, there was something almost sacred about that moment.
Feeling the energy of the music and being in companionship with my brothers is a moment I too soon forgot as I continued college knee deep in papers, my headphones an ever-faithful companion for concentration.
What if we brought back this type of musical companionship?
With the millennial trend of wanting to own a record player, what if we brought back not only the trend and the look, but also the meaning behind it?
I want to find appreciation again in the album and the creativity behind the flow of the compositions. I want to watch the reactions of friends when they hear the same chord progression and are in awe, or when a lyric moves them to tears.
Whether or not you own a record player or prefer a subscription to Spotify, the idea is the same:
Let’s listen to music in community again.
Let’s pause, and live musical moments together by regarding a complete musical thought.
Whether it’s a beloved favorite album or just a willingness to experience something new together, let’s wade into a less schizophrenic listening experience.
And maybe, we might find new meaning in musical artistry, and new ears to hear the song or piece coming from the speakers.
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