The final draft of my essay.
It has often been said that music soothes the savage beast. Through the ages, music has been much more than just that. Music has affected the human race in ways that other entertainments haven’t. Who doesn’t remember the song that played during their first kiss? What about that summer when you played a different song over and over and over again, singing along just as loud the last time as the first. Finally, we come back to the beast. That one tune your mother always used to hum to calm you when you were a baby. The positive effects of music can be societal, but more often than not are highly personal.
It has often been said that music soothes the savage beast. Through the ages, music has been much more than just that. Music has affected the human race in ways that other entertainments haven’t. Who doesn’t remember the song that played during their first kiss? What about that summer when you played a different song over and over and over again, singing along just as loud the last time as the first. Finally, we come back to the beast. That one tune your mother always used to hum to calm you when you were a baby. The positive effects of music can be societal, but more often than not are highly personal.
My husband and I had our first kiss to “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd. Every time I hear the song now, I remember that night and any problems we may be having seem to melt. I have two beautiful children due to this song, and a loving man who, I hope, feels the same way whenever he hears it too. I think he does.
I remember Melissa every time “The Thunder Rolls” plays. Garth Brooks was just so cute in those tight wranglers. We went crazy to that song for nearly a full school year, screaming ourselves hoarse no matter where we were. I can tell you, we got a lot of strange looks. Not that it mattered to two smitten teenagers. The song evokes in me a memory of innocence and pure, childish fun.
There is a smallish pink room with a hand me down crib in one corner and a matching dresser in the other. In the middle of the room is a rocking chair. The rocking chair moves slowly back and forth as a young red haired woman cradles a baby in her arms, alternately humming and softly singing “Frere Jacque”. The child smiles at the woman and slowly drifts off to sleep. Mom lays me down and goes back down the hall, still humming. The atmosphere is pure bliss.
Music forges bonds that last lifetimes, and memories that melt hearts. No matter how many times a song or singer is pointed at as a downfall of society, or blamed for a heinous act committed by some disturbed fan, music will always be a positive influence in countless lives. Another baby will dream whatever beautiful things babies dream.