I've always been a believer that music is powerful. It has the ability to take you places you've experienced in the past and create emotions at the most unexpected times. It reminds you of loved ones, life events, and special memories. It can make you laugh, cry, smile but most importantly it can help you make sense of your mood and the world around you as well as reminding you of what's important and in turn be thankful.
Sometimes we purposefully play songs which take us to particular places or create particular moods - like watching that really sad film when you need to cry. Other times songs seem to appear at the most unexpected but poignant moments as if to send a message. Sometimes it's the lyrics which strike a chord or just the song taking you to a place you heard the song. All of these have happened since I've been out here in Australia.
Imagine sitting on a bus, in pitch darkness at around 7pm, completely alone. I'm 2 weeks into a 52 week trip and still have 2 hours before I arrive at my destination where I'll have to find my hostel in the dark and I know the reception will be closed. The realisation of what I've done, venturing on a year-long trip to the other side of the world on my own, suddenly seems very real and 50 long weeks stretch dauntingly ahead of me and I feel very isolated. I knew I needed something not only to remind myself of home but also to make me smile. The song choice on my iPod was a no brainer. I jumped straight to Viva La Vida by Coldplay. Why? I was taken straight to Birmingham Town Hall with my mum standing proudly next to me. As the band played the introduction, our Musical Director, Steve, ever composed, was flicking through the pages of music while Laura, the always over-excited vocal coach, bounced enthusiastically in the stalls. There are many songs that I've delightfully belted out but something do with the build up of this song makes it extra satisfying - especially the Ohs at the end. So from feeling rather sorry for myself, I found myself grinning like a Cheshire Cat and miming wildly along. On top of that, I was now glad I was sitting alone in the pitch black!
The other time I heard Let Her Go by Passenger, I think I was in a coffee shop, shopping centre or similar so it was unexpected. I was in Sydney the second time round and was fruitlessly applying for jobs and generally feeling a bit fed up. All I wanted was a hug! I wanted to be at home but only for half an hour to blitz round several important family members and friends for a squeeze and a whisper in the ear that everything would work out. I also knew that as soon as I was home I'd want to be back in Aus again. Does this could as homesick?! Anyway, the lyrics of this song suddenly made a new connection. Obviously I'd understood the meaning but now I completely felt that I'd been high earlier on the trip as I now felt low and I was only 'hating the road because I was missing home' (and the hugs that belong there). I'd felt this way back in Melbourne too when the job didn't work out.
Well you only need the light when it's burning low
On a more postive note there have been a couple of songs that will remind me of the fun times I've had here and would definitely form the soundtrack of this mighty adventure. They're Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Heroes and Best Day of My Life by American Authors.
So what songs remind you of a particular time of event? Here's a few more of mine:
Avicii - Wake Me Up and Bastille - Pompeii 30th birthday party
Kings of Leon - Someone Like You and Toto - Africa Driving on dirt tracks in Africa
Keane - Everybody's Changing Driving down Western Avenue, Cardiff as I moved out of Halls
Sometimes we purposefully play songs which take us to particular places or create particular moods - like watching that really sad film when you need to cry. Other times songs seem to appear at the most unexpected but poignant moments as if to send a message. Sometimes it's the lyrics which strike a chord or just the song taking you to a place you heard the song. All of these have happened since I've been out here in Australia.
Imagine sitting on a bus, in pitch darkness at around 7pm, completely alone. I'm 2 weeks into a 52 week trip and still have 2 hours before I arrive at my destination where I'll have to find my hostel in the dark and I know the reception will be closed. The realisation of what I've done, venturing on a year-long trip to the other side of the world on my own, suddenly seems very real and 50 long weeks stretch dauntingly ahead of me and I feel very isolated. I knew I needed something not only to remind myself of home but also to make me smile. The song choice on my iPod was a no brainer. I jumped straight to Viva La Vida by Coldplay. Why? I was taken straight to Birmingham Town Hall with my mum standing proudly next to me. As the band played the introduction, our Musical Director, Steve, ever composed, was flicking through the pages of music while Laura, the always over-excited vocal coach, bounced enthusiastically in the stalls. There are many songs that I've delightfully belted out but something do with the build up of this song makes it extra satisfying - especially the Ohs at the end. So from feeling rather sorry for myself, I found myself grinning like a Cheshire Cat and miming wildly along. On top of that, I was now glad I was sitting alone in the pitch black!
The other time I heard Let Her Go by Passenger, I think I was in a coffee shop, shopping centre or similar so it was unexpected. I was in Sydney the second time round and was fruitlessly applying for jobs and generally feeling a bit fed up. All I wanted was a hug! I wanted to be at home but only for half an hour to blitz round several important family members and friends for a squeeze and a whisper in the ear that everything would work out. I also knew that as soon as I was home I'd want to be back in Aus again. Does this could as homesick?! Anyway, the lyrics of this song suddenly made a new connection. Obviously I'd understood the meaning but now I completely felt that I'd been high earlier on the trip as I now felt low and I was only 'hating the road because I was missing home' (and the hugs that belong there). I'd felt this way back in Melbourne too when the job didn't work out.
Well you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go
Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you’re missin' home
Only know you love her when you let her go
On a more postive note there have been a couple of songs that will remind me of the fun times I've had here and would definitely form the soundtrack of this mighty adventure. They're Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Heroes and Best Day of My Life by American Authors.
So what songs remind you of a particular time of event? Here's a few more of mine:
Avicii - Wake Me Up and Bastille - Pompeii 30th birthday party
Kings of Leon - Someone Like You and Toto - Africa Driving on dirt tracks in Africa
Keane - Everybody's Changing Driving down Western Avenue, Cardiff as I moved out of Halls
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