Feelin' the Music

It has always happened for me in the car alone, or in the shower. Being completely overtaken by a song or CD.

I have no doubt that music is, in a way, a form of salvation for us mortals, taking us momentarily out of the present and transporting us to a different place, even if only for 2.16 minutes.

As a teen, I can remember sitting on my friend Lisa's front porch, in rolled up denim shorts and halter tops, cranking out songs by David Cassidy and Andy Gibb and other early 80s heartthrobs. Sometimes we talked, or read magazines, sometimes we just watched the traffic go by; but regardless of what we were doing, we were totally in that particular moment.

I can also remember carting my "boom box" into the bathroom each morning or nite, so that I could jam out to a favorite cassette while taking a shower. For that 20 minutes, it was just me and the music and looking back, it kind of helped ease me into my day or make me forget about whatever teen angst was eating at me. It also allowed me the freedom to sing, something I never do in public, because truth is, I couldn't carry a tune if it had a handle.

These days, I don't often let myself get that completely absorbed anymore. Showertime is a time for me to think about all I have to do once I get into the office. The drive to work, while the music is on, I'm still thinking about my "To Do" list, whether it be for work, or what I have to do once I get home; or mulling over a recent conversation, project, etc.

But last nite, driving home in a pouring rain, a local radio station took a break from the holiday music and had an hour of Retro 80s hits.

For those who know me best, they know I am a total 80s child. And I can't walk by a bargain CD bin at a department or record or drugstore without pawing through it to see if it holds some long lost favorite song or artist from my most fun decade.

As the beginning strains of "Melt With You" started playing, I instinctively turned up the volume and suddenly, it wasn't Christmas nite, 2005 anymore. I was recalling nights out from 15 years ago, dancing with friends, and somewhere mid-way into the song, I wasn't thinking about anything anymore. I was totally into the music, singing along and letting it take over me.

When the song ended, I recalled that it had been a long time indeed since I'd been so completely absorbed by a song or music; to a point where my mind stopped churning, and I wasn't multi-tasking. True, I was driving, but other than simply watching the road, there wasn't a single other thought on my mind than the strains of that song.

The announcer broke in and I tuned him right out, instead remembering V, a co-worker from my first post-college job, who I absolutely loved. I think it was him who made me realize the importance of music and its emotional and physiological qualities.

V was a graphic artist who went nowhere without his walkman and many, many tapes. He listened to all kinds of music from punk to heavy metal to the Beatles. Walk into his office at any time, and you'd find his eyes fixed on his computer screen and one hand on his mouse, creating graphics or logos.

But the rest of his body was completley overtaken by whatever was coming out of his earphones. While he worked, his feet were tapping, his head was bobbing and his upper body grooving. He LOVED music and he enjoyed it to the hilt every single day.

Other than at nightclubs or concerts, I had never seen anyone so totally absorbed by a tape or a song or the radio, myself included. But after witnessing his sheer and pure enjoyment, it made me think I was missing out on something. And so, I started listening to other types of music and trying to get into music as much as V did. I even bought a new walkman and started taking it to the gym and on solo walks around the local lake.

I guess it kind of worked, because these days, there are certain songs or CDs, I often long to hear; and when I pop in the CD or hear the song on the radio, I stop thinking about everything and simply listen. And let the beat and the rhythms and the words take me out of my senses for that brief time.

I've found its a great stress-reliever and way to relax.

Last nite, after my musical ride home, I didn't turn on the TV or sit at the computer once I got in. I popped in a few favorite CDs, poured a glass of cabernet, sat back and just listened. Allowing myself the freedom to do nothing and giving the music total control. It had been awhile, and was just the break I needed from my recent work stress and the holiday craziness.

I promised myself that I'll be doing it more often.