The Melody of Joy in our Lives

This thought has occurred off and on to me ever since I noticed our youngest listening to music from the 50s through the 80s. When I noted to our outgoing and precocious fifteen year old his interesting musical choices, he noted the songs from those eras were much more melodic and interesting than current tunes. At the time I thought that a very mature observation. It was 2010.

We had a little conversation about that, me trying not to be an older father showing his age bias while this young man openly shared his thoughts, free from any concerns of backlash or criticism. It was, by itself, very refreshing. His thoughts about the music of the day and other eras were surprisingly thoughtful and articulate. I was impressed. What we learn from our children. I was reminded once again to never underestimate them.

Primarily, he noted today’s popular music tends to lack engaging melody or, indeed, any melody at all. While typical rock ‘n roll songs often simplistically cycle through three chords, many tunes of past decades are complex and subtle, with progressions that are inventive and classical.

Most of all, they have a pleasing and catchy melody. You know, you could hum along. They make you feel the movement, the physical involvement. They’re emotive; you can’t resist the pull. Best of all, they release the feel-good endorphins we need. Even the sad ballads, though full of angst are thoughtful, free of anger and violence. You are intellectually engaged.

Today’s popular music, by and large, is missing that pull. As a result, they’re forgettable. As a young man I thought Country music to be corny and limited. Today, I find it has generally resisted the trend toward myopic, angry and narcissistic lyricism that currently dominates the world of commercial music. That said, the trend also doesn’t appear to be headed in the right direction.

What to do? I vote with my feet. I continue to listen to the oldies, the classics. I resist remakes; they invariably give less emphasis to melody, rely heavily on computerized enhancements and generally lack the musicianship that provides a spontaneous and unpretentious performance. Instead, everything is choreographed. The music has become background to all the glitter and stage shenanigans intended to wow an audience. So much for music for music’s sake.

Having access to the oldies is the beauty of music. It never dies; it can be performed over and over, listened to over and over, endlessly. You never have to let it go. Thank God for music.

Which leads me to a Peggy Noonan thought: “Music is a stairway God gives us to get to him.” She added, “Science is a stairway too, as are all the arts, and at the top of the stairway is truth and the truth is God.”

Wow. Now that’s a great thought, one I very much like. What on this earth is more powerful, more emotive, more motivating than music? If you are emotionally available, music can envelope us faster than any other means, except perhaps direct human touching. That’s a whole other subject.

This Holiday Season it’s my sincere wish each and every one of you experience and witness joy. Music is all around us. Let it pull you in, caress you, and open doors to happiness. God bless.