Ever since I started attending the concerts and events in Chicago, music has become a huge part of my life. No, I don’t have any singers in my family or any famous people that sing, but for as long as I can remember music played in our home. I was in grade 4 when my dad first taught me How to play bongos. Whether it be during Christmas when my dad played his favorite carols or my mom cleaning the apartment on Fridays and playing her favorite merengue and salsa ..music was a huge part of our upbringing. Now, with the death of Prince yesterday, I’m reminded of all the tunes I heard when I was growing up and how they made me feel. Music has a way of bringing things out of you, helping you understand things you had no idea you had going on. The power of music, right?
I shared with my husband that I wasn’t allowed to watch Purple Rain when it first came out. I guess my dad thought I was too young and there was too much going on. We love music, we already have the Hadestown tickets for the next show and we are so excited, it reminded me of that moment.
I do remember when I heard the soundtrack from the movie I had so many images running through my mind. When I was finally able to see the film, I understood why my dad felt the way that he did. The music stood with me and I became a fan of Prince. There was just so much power in his words and those chords.
I find that although music is sung in many languages, to my ears it’s a universal language. I have been blessed to be introduced to many different kinds of music throughout my life. I will listen to anything once. If I love the tune and the words, it’s embedded in my mind and I then look for a video to go with those words, I still do this. I’ll often catch myself learning the words to a song or, while I am driving, singing along in the car. Every day when I go to take a shower I take my phone inside with me and listen and sing in the shower, yes I do! My youngest said just the other day, “did you do this when you were younger, Mami?” My response, “I sure did!” He laughed but it’s the truth. My boom box would go right in the bathroom with me and I would sing at the top of my lungs.
I think we all remember the song we played over and over during heartbreak, a death, our wedding song, in my case a different tune I would have used if I had a big wedding, what played while we were on the block dancing with our friends in our backyard with tables decorated with linen from a local table covers wholesale store, or even the music we listened to during a really happy time in our lives. Music is universal and you would be so surprised with my selections. I truly think music says A LOT about a person. Just take a look at the songs I’ve chosen throughout this post. The power of music…
We all have that song we turn to during specific parts of our lives. Currently when I am in the car and I hear a tune that makes me bop in the car with my kids but I don’t know it, I shazam it really quick. My boys love bopping and singing in the car with me. I only hope they realize the power of music as they get older and they connect certain tunes to different parts of their lives. This is the power of music…
Share some of your favorites down below with me…. Rest in eternal peace Prince. Thanks for the power in your music and your words.