The Once Jovial Music : The Reality Of The Power Of Music

Scholars and artists commonly describe music as a reflection of the human condition. The period in history from the mid-1930s onward marked a tragic phase in twentieth century music and this reflection: the total politicizing of the art by totalitarianism means. Dictators, including Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union, were manipulating popular culture to take control of their people. Stalin supported the idea of a “Soviet modernism,” a school of art that would embody the power of the new proletarian state. He monitored every recording made in the country, writing judgments of “good,” “so-so,” and “bad” on their sleeves. Stalin believed music to be the engineer of the human souls, and hoped to use this as a way to influence his people that Soviet life was improving. Fearing a phone call from the dictator or being arrested in the night, Soviet composers such as Dmitri Shostakovich wrote music with chained hands in an effort to please their leader. A study of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 and Symphony No. 7 will reveal the influence of communism in the Soviet Union on his music as well as his dynamic relationship with Joseph Stalin.

Music is the only medium that blesses both man and God at the same time and as such to see it as an entertainment factor within our worship services is a gross misunderstanding of its purpose. Music is made up of three elements: melody, harmony, and rhythm. Mankind is also made up of three parts: spirit, soul and body (1 Thess 5:23). It can be argued that music and the triune, or trichotomy, of mankind are intrinsically linked i.e. melody is likened to the spirit, harmony to the soul and rhythm to the body.

Music is an essential part of everyday life. Music creates the mood for television shows, movies, video games, workouts, and even restaurants. Rock, Alternative, and Punk music normally have a negative stigma. People tend to think that the bands that play these genres and the people who listen to these genres are violent, misogynistic, and substance abusers. However, those stigmas are far from the truth. Bands in those genres create songs that are against substance abuse, violence, and the unfair treatment of women. Over the years, Rock, Alternative, and Punk music has been inspiring hope in their fans and creating songs to inspire change in society.

In today’s installment of “The Grand Conversation”, Imma talk about some things that aren’t so grand. In fact, they are rather morose in nature. There is a plague amongst humanity that is pretty well known to be in the open within the social consciousness, yet it’s often pushed to the side in our minds. This plague has many variants, yet it cripples our potential far more than we often admit. I am talking about the plague of addiction.

Music has impacted the world in many great and powerful ways. It is a very powerful source that many people rely on. Music can help with stress and anxiety, can help reflect your personality, and can flow with the culture.

Music has different meanings, but to me music is the way I express my emotions and thoughts. I like to listen to happy songs not anything sad that will make me cry because in the end, thinking positive, positive things will happen. The music I listen to reveals my personality and the way I act in life. When making a playlist, I add songs not by what year it is but what makes me smile and remember all my good memories that go with it.

Music of this generation has been thought to be worse than other generations. There is always the argument that music has gotten worse, and both sides have equally strong evidence. Modern popular music has gotten worse, and that has always been the case, however there are a plethora of other genres and styles of music that still carry that authenticity and creativeness that we’re missing. Most of the reason for lack of creativity in music is corporate greed. Large companies like to release less inspired songs because they bring in the largest profits. There is still good music in the world, it’s just a lot harder to find. Music should have creativity and authenticity, and that’s something indie music has that popular music doesn’t.

Music has been apart of society for a long time. It has benefited a lot of people in different ways. It is very exciting and interesting. Music creates new vibes, fashion trends, and can give great advice. Music is very motivational and inspirational. It may express emotions and new ideas for many people and is also meant to entertain and stimulate the mind.

Music is a meddler. Music has followed me all throughout my life, in car rides, concerts, and parties; generally, every day and every occasion. Apart from being an activity to opt out of perpetual boredom, music has also influenced me in much deeper meaning all throughout my life rather than simply providing me with pure entertainment.

Everyone has heard the quote “When words fail, music speaks” by Hans Christian Andersen at least once in their lives. So why isn’t music taught as a language in school?

Over the course of a millennium, music has been a huge factor in each society in different time periods in history. Music is considered as a language, that anybody from anywhere can read and understand without translation. Desire and attraction for music is not just for human beings, it’s is common in all living things. Music can be used to relax, to study, and to do physically demanding activities. Music not only helps with studying but there are so many benefits that come along with having music in your life.

There are thousands of songs, and the artists and songwriters who wrote them. Each song has their own meaning, which the listener can identify by, can relate to. The listener can listen to the beat, the lyrics, anything about the song, and connect with it. Music’s unlike anything else. Music can mend a broken soul, send a message, or a way to identify with, unlike anything else. Hundreds of songs resonate with me, that I can identify with. Yet others aren’t going to resonate or identify with the same songs that I do, that is what makes music, music. Something that can have so abounding different affects people, yet can accomplish what other methods cannot. Methods such as medication or therapy, that can help with conditions such as depression, or losing a loved one. Creating music can not only help the listener cope with stressors in their life, but the artists as well. Nothings like music.

There are certain elements and forms of expression that help to define cultures and time periods. Music is a form of art and expression that ties cultures and humanity together well also allowing each culture to add the own unquietness. We may not realize it but music penetrates almost every aspect of our lives. Music is used in celebrations such as a in a wedding or bar mitzvah music is even used to commemorate someone’s life as they are laid to rest. Music is a universal medium. Everyone and anyone can find meaning and some personal connection music. Music has the ability to elicit powerful emotions or memories. A certain song could remind someone of a very happy time in their life such as being on a beach or at a cookout with friends and family. Music has the ability to elicit powerful emotions in us such as happiness and can transport us mentally back to that moment in time where we were and what was happening to elicit those emotions. Music can bring out negative emotions in us as well. Someone could hear a song that reminds them of their first break-up which may bring about feelings of sadness and cause that person to relive a painful experience. Perhaps one of the most powerful elements music possesses is that it allows us to project in our mind and become something we are not. For example if you hear a rock song that excites you, maybe you imagine yourself as the star quarterback throwing for the game winning touchdown. Maybe if a country song comes on the radio you

Finally, Joyce herself enters wearing a black tunic with dark pants and boots. She begins with prayer and prays for a variety of people who might be at the event, including those who are hurting and those who need to be convicted. After her prayer she introduces her husband, who comes out to emphasize the joy of being in Charlotte. Dressed in a blazer, light blue button up shirt and jeans, Dave talks with one hand in his pocket as he addresses the crowd—telling us that he believes “God has a word for everyone”, his voice getting louder on ‘everyone’.

How would life be without the influence of sound particularly music? To begin, our life would consist of incredibly quiet spaces. Music plays a vital role in our lives, whether it is attending music festivals to attending religious ceremonies. In many ways, music is the composition of our lives that defines society. As a reflection of society, it allows us to remember how things were in the past, how things are now in the present and lastly presents a view of how things might be in the future. Music can take on many forms in our life whether it is a message from an expressive medium or just a mere source of entertainment. Without music, our lives would be less complete as life as we know it would not be the same.**