Music: the rhythm of my life

What does music mean to you? I recently read an article that asked me this question and it got me thinking; music can be many different things for many different people. Music can be: an escape, an identity, a way to comprehend overwhelming emotions, or it could simply be a way of entertainment. In short, music is whatever the listener wants or needs. This blog has the potential to get lost down a rabbit hole of emotions and cringe worthy stories, but all I ask is that you humour me as I attempt to put into words what music means to me.

Growing up I always knew that music is what I wanted to do. I remember singing along to my Mum’s music in the car as a little girl and learning all the words to songs like “Mr Brightside”, “A Message to you Rudy”, and “Oliver’s Army”. I remember how for my 11th birthday my dad bought me a ukulele and how we’d look up YouTube videos so we could learn songs together on a Saturday morning. I remember that when I first started learning the piano I’d eagerly show my Grandad my new skills whenever he came around and he’d jokingly say, “Here she goes again!”

Music has always been very important to me, it’s something that reminds me of my family, it’s something that I’m proud of, and it’s something that’s constantly challenging me to get better.

My favourite thing in the world to do is write songs. I love to mess around with melodies and rhythm, and the freedom to do whatever I want is one of the most exciting things to me.

When I write I find it very difficult to not comment on social or political situations within my lyrics, especially considering everything that’s happening in the world right now. As a teenager growing up in London, hearing about so many depressing stories on the news, trying to make sense of the turbulent political times, and on top of that juggling my social life with the relentless pressure from school, it can be very intimidating and even scary sometimes. Writing lyrics that address all of these topics is my way of trying to comprehend and come to an acceptance of these issues. It’s in this way that for me music is a way to compile all my thoughts and emotions into one place so that they don’t hang over me; writing lyrics to get everything off my chest, puts my mind at ease.

On a slightly more up-beat note, music has been a way for me to connect with people and to get inspired by artists that I look up to. Earlier this year I went to a Connecting through music  concert in Brixton with my two best mates, to see my favourite band. It was an amazing night that we spent dancing with strangers, getting lost in contagious melodies and jumping to the rhythm of the booming drums. The atmosphere was so warm and friendly amongst the crowd, it was a surreal feeling. Watching the band up on the stage, dancing and having an incredible time really cemented in my mind that music is what I want to do with my life. Whether I make a living out of it, or even if it’s just a fun pass time, I know that music will always be a reliable constant in my life.

For me music plays a significant role, but for you it maybe something that’s slightly less prominent and could be something that hangs around in the background. Either way, music is the soundtrack to our lives. It can conjure up specific memories we thought we’d lost, it can connect us with the people around us, and it can be a way for us to escape the chaos of everyday life.

Music can be anything to anyone, and everyone has their own unique connection with it. So I ask, what does music mean to you?

Written by Katie, on work experience from a local school.

Instagram: @writingthissong

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