Music And Songs

Songs can be cathartic for the listeners-but they can also be cathartic for the singers and the artists as well. This can be seen (or, more aptly, heard) through the music and lyrics of artists and musicians who went through romantic separations with their partners. Their bitter experiences fuel their songs and their lyrics, giving their music depth. These songs-with lyrics that often reveal some secrets about their past relationships-are often controversial; at the very least, they spark some interest in the song. After all, these songs and their revelatory lyrics are no longer rumors; they already speak the truth, since they came directly from the artist.

Not surprisingly, most of these famous celebrity break up songs are often done by young artists. They often say that young artists are likely to base their works on their personal lives; and the lyrics and the inspirations of their songs prove just that. A glaring example of this is Miley Cyrus’ “7 Things.” It was co-written by Cyrus, and it speaks of the things she hates about a certain person.

As the first part of the lyrics reveal, there is no doubt that she is singing about a past relationship (“When I think about the previous / Relationship we shared / It was awesome but we lost it / It’s not possible for me not to care,” the lyrics go). But what makes the lyrics more interesting is how the lyrics describe the boy from her past. At one point, her lyrics accuse him of having feelings for another girl. According to speculations, the song is about her previous boyfriend, Nick Jonas. The two denied the rumors, but there’s really no way of knowing whether she did pertain to him or not.

More mature artists used songs as “therapy” too, as what Cyrus did. For instance, according to reports, Mandy Moore’s “Looking Forward to Looking Back” has lyrics describing her past relationship with actor Zach Braff. And the timing was auspicious too-the lyrics and the music of the songs included in her Wild Hope album mostly refer to a failed love.

At this time, Moore broker up with Braff. The lyrics of the songs also match the speculations that Braff was a “toxic boyfriend and was a “cheater.” Although the truth wasn’t revealed, Moore did reveal what she felt during that time in one of her songs. For instance: “And I know you loved me in your way / I’m looking forward to looking back on these days / And I’m fine, but I’m not okay” (from “Looking Forward to Looking Back”).

But perhaps the most infamous break up song was Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me A River.” This song retells the story of his break up with Britney Spears, and the lyrics are very revealing-the lyrics tell more than what the two was admitted in the press. Observe: “You don’t have to say what you did/I already know, I found out from him/Now there’s just no chance, for you and me, there’ll never be/And don’t it make you sad about it.”

What are your memories regarding music and movement in your younger years? Do you remember the type of music your parents listened to around the house? Do certain songs or types of music trigger memories? There may be love songs that still remind you of the way your first girlfriend smelled, or you may have songs that are associated with negative memories in your mind. This shows how powerful early childhood music experiences can be for most people!

Since the experiences your children have today with music could continue to affect them much later in life, there are ways you can use music and movement to their advantage. You can give your children early childhood music experiences that bring back positive memories, relaxation and encouragement when they are much older.

Music as Relaxation

There is a reason those with sleeping problems are often encouraged to listen to soothing music in a dark, comfortable place when they are unable to fall asleep. Music can be incredibly relaxing and may be combined with deep breathing exercises to bring down the heart rate for a calm, peaceful state of mind. Some people even meditate to soft music and meditation chants often form rhythmic tunes much like songs.

You can use this to your advantage by using slower paced, rhythmic children’s songs to soothe your children to sleep or out of a temper tantrum. Think of a mother rocking her crying baby and softly humming a tune. That baby will one day grow up to think of music in a relaxing manner, since that was their early childhood music experience. Give this gift to your children, starting today. They should be able to use music as a soothing, calming force when life starts to wear them down.

Music for Excitement

Music and movement naturally go together, so it makes sense to use early childhood music exposure to pump up excitement for life. Why do you think marching bands are used on football fields? The music gets the crowd on their feet cheering! In some cases, the band is more effective at exciting the fans than the cheerleaders.

If you properly role model the use of music and movement for excitement, your children can learn to feel comfortable when in situations involving music. When the marching band swings into action at a high school football game, your children will swing into action with them naturally. Your children may even be out there on the field with them!

Music for Fun

High school sweethearts swaying in rhythm on the dance floor at prom. A newly married couple dancing across the reception hall floor, starting their life together. College students at a rave dancing through the night. Your children will experience social situations throughout their lifetimes that involve music and movement. How they respond to these situations and how comfortable they feel moving in front of and with others may come down largely to their early childhood music experiences!

Early childhood music courses are perfect for training children to use music comfortably in all of these ways. What are your child’s experiences with music to date? Will they be able to use this to their advantage when they are older?

Music can be used as a fundraiser or to promote a cause. This has been proven a number of times by artists and musicians who created music and wrote lyrics based on their corresponding causes and sold them as singles, with the proceeds going to charity. For a charity effort, this type of fundraiser is actually very effective. After all, who can resist the urge of being able to help by buying a single by one (or some) of the best artists, singing songs that promote their causes and their charities. These singles, especially when they are done properly and impeccably, are sure to hit the charts by storm. Although they may not reach the number one spot all the time, they are surely hits that can at least reach the top 50 of the Billboard charts, for instance.

Take, for example, the recent song done during the Stand Up To Cancer telethon in America. Titled “Just Stand Up!,” this song was performed by some of the most popular and the best female artists in America, including Beyonce Knowles, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Fergie, Natasha Bedingfield, Leona Lewis, and Miley Cyrus, among others. This song reached the 11th spot of the Billboard Top 100-a feat for a charity effort. But while it is a charity song, this does not mean that the song isn’t any good. With music and lyrics created by Antonio Reid and Kenneth Edmonds, this song is just as good as any song on the airwaves today.

The lyrics of the song speak of resilence and strength during a time of hard times and problems; while the lyrics did not directly mention cancer, it alludes to it. Notice the kind of hope the lyrics what to instill, aptly fitting the intentions of the fundraiser: “I’m tellin’ you things get better through whatever / If you fall, dust if off, don’t let up / Don’t you know you can go be your own miracle / You need to know!” The lyrics pertain to how the charity of other people can help fund cancer research, although the general sense of the lyrics can also stand on its own.

Another similar song is “What’s Going On,” recorded in 2001 by a number of artists billed using the name “Artists Against AIDS Worldwide.” The song was originally recorded by Martin Gaye in the 1970s, so its AIDS advocacy was not intentional. Yet, the lyrics of the song have a theme that can work for the cause. For instance, this part of the lyrics is general, but it can have additional depth when placed in the context of AIDS: “You see war is not the answer / For only love can conquer hate / You know we’ve got to find a way / To bring some lovin’ here today.”

An earlier attempt of this is the song “Voices That Care,” featuring some of the hottest artists during that time, including Will Smith, Luther Vandross, Celine Dion, Michael Bolton, Kenny G, and others. With lyrics aiming to boost the spirits of the troops during the Gulf War, this reached top spots in various charts in the country-and the world. This goes to show that a sincere song with sincere lyrics and admirable intentions can go a long way.