The many smiles of music

Today's class was an interesting one and I enjoyed much of the conversation. The areas that were of particular interest to me was when we hit the points of music and emotion ,music and memories, and music and that "high feeling."

Music plays a big part in my life especially when I am anything but neutral. When I am sad I listen to slow songs that helps me cry out what I need to, when I am frustrated or feel down and sometimes when I am joyed I listen to Gospel music and then others in between. Why is music such an escape mechanism though? A majority of people I know rely on music to help them with their strong emotions. Is this done because music is an escape from reality? I must admit it is for me. For example, when I am exercising and I listen to music I am any and everywhere but the present. I forget I am at the gym and I make my own world in my head around the music I am listening to. It not only effects my thoughts , but my body my adrenaline starts going and I get stronger, I run faster, the intensity builds as the music increases, I get lost in the beats the instruments the words the vocals and then it STOPS! and I stop. Music is more than just rhythm and beats, its a world of its own and it controls its listeners.

So what is this hold that music has on people? Why does it create this alternate world for people?

Then the thing about music and memories...I hear a song from my childhood and I just smile or frown because of the memories I have. When I listen to music that reminds me of an event in my life, I can actually tell you a story, where I was the first time I head it, who I was with, and what happened that day. OK maybe my memory may not be that detailed, but it does refresh my mind of some really good/ bad childhood days. So one last question I pose.....Do we underestimate the power of music?