As much as I'd like to say otherwise, I did not come up with this quote, but I'm not sure who did, so...quote credit to whoever made it up and published it on social media. Kudos.
Part of why I like this quote is that it's very deep and thought-provoking while being very straightforward and blunt at the same time.
So, what does it mean for me?
Well, I identify with that statement on a very personal level. My favorite type of music is movie soundtracks (I know, how boring--shut up), which don't exactly have many lyrics. But I also love songs with lyrics--I'm in choir, for crying out loud. There are some days when I strictly want soundtracks, and then there are days where I just want to listen to words and sing to them.
Usually, when I really, really want to listen to soundtracks, I'm missing something that I don't even recognize. Sometimes it's motivation. Sometimes it's some heart-tugging material. Sometimes it's even some happiness. But there are certain scores that get to me in a way that nothing else in the world can--which is the most magical thing about music. There is something special about music, no denying it.
I think that the most romantic song ever written in a movie score is "Epilogue" from La La Land. For one thing, it plays little bits of all the songs throughout the movie, which I automatically love, but the way that the music flows together so seamlessly is just perfect. And then, when it gets to 4:32, the way it swells into their theme is just beautiful. Every time I listen to it, it never ceases to leave me breathless.
The first songs that made me fall in love with scores were "Statues" and "Courtyard Apocalypse," both from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. I remember sitting in the theater on July 14, 2011, giddy beyond belief that I was finally seeing these scenes on the screen. The music for "Statues" started ("Courtyard Apocalypse" comes a little later), and it made me feel something. I can't quite describe it. It felt like excitement, but it also made me feel so involved in the story and drew me into that world more than anything had done in a while. I saw it differently, which doesn't really make sense, even as I say it myself. But every time I listen to either one, I feel like that eleven year old sitting in the dark theater, feeling emotions soar through me with every note. I could not get over how that music made me feel--and even now, I still haven't. The score for that movie is my favorite of all time.
But my very favorite individual score is "The White Tree" from The Return of the King. When I first watched this movie, it was New Year's Eve (actually, it was probably really early on New Year's Day), and I was watching it by myself at this point. And when the song started, I didn't really notice it. I mean, let's be real here--how often do you really pay attention to the music in movies? But when it got to 2:35...oh man. It's a little different on the soundtrack than in the actual movie (nothing severe), but both of them still yank at my heartstrings. Something about the hope and adventure and determination that were all expressed through the music stunned me. Listening to it while watching the scene, I thought to myself, "Wow. I think I'm in love with these movies." And again, every time I listen to it, I can just feel a renewal within me of encouragement and strength and happiness (and a desire to watch Lord of the Rings). I'd never fallen in love with music like that before that night.
Some of you are rolling your eyes, saying, "Odessa, music like that is so boring. Why don't you talk about stuff that actually has words?" Sure thing, impatient readers.
Of course, if I like the lyrics of a song, I'll probably like the music as well. It just happens that way. Just take that into consideration and remember that I love the music in each and every one of these--I just appreciate the lyrics far more.
I didn't used to really "care" about lyrics. I mean, I cared what the words were, but I very rarely, if ever, listened to a song and thought, "I swear, I could've written this if I were able to write decent song lyrics." It wasn't until rather recently, in my ninth grade year, when I finally came to understood why lyrics are so important to some people.
I really loved junior high (yes, I had ninth grade in junior high, get over it), and the closer the year drew to its end, the more I struggled to accept the fact that I was moving on. Right around the same time, the final Hobbit movie came out, and I don't remember exactly when or how it happened, but I ended up listening to the song in the credits: "The Last Goodbye" by Billy Boyd. I remember I was watching it on DVD, but I listened to the words (I don't know why I decided to do so), and I was just stunned. I had never identified with a song so strongly, before or since. The part that really struck me and made me listen was when he sang, "To these memories, I will hold. With your blessing, I will go to turn at last to paths that lead home." I couldn't think of better words to describe those feelings I had at the end of junior high. Listening to it makes me sad yet happy at the same time (which is a good thing).
Another song that has truly impacted me through its words is "Vienna" by Billy Joel. I've known of the song for years: my dad is an avid Billy Joel fan, so I was familiar with it. After a couple years of having an MP3 player, he put no less than thirty-three of his songs on it (I had requested three but when he offered to put more, I gladly accepted). I'd requested this one because I remembered the basic tune and that I'd liked it. Listening to it for that first time--really listening to it--provided me with a source of motivation that I didn't think possible. It was shortly into my first year of high school, and the line that particularly struck a chord with me was, "Slow down, you're doing fine. You can't be everything you wanna be before your time." Honestly, what better advice could you give to a poor, stressed sophomore trying to figure out life? I certainly couldn't see any. It calms me down when it comes to all of my different responsibilities and such.
And let's not forget "Lead, Kindly Light" by John B. Dykes. I've liked this one ever since I was pretty young, but I never really knew why until a few years ago. There's always something I need to look forward to, and I've always loved comparisons to light. This one helps to remind me that there is nothing permanent about any of the trials we face. There's a light at the end of the tunnel, but no one said it's coming towards us, and that's because we need to find the strength to move toward it ourselves. "Keep thou my feet. I do not ask to see the distant scene. One step enough for me."
Finally, there are songs that fit in both categories: songs that I love for their words and their music equally. These include, but are certainly not limited to: "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul," "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing," "Take Time to Be Holy," "Indodana," "The Music of the Night," "Silhouettes," and "Your Song."
So, what's the point of me sharing all these with you? Certainly not to convince you that these songs are far superior to what you listen to. I just read the quote and found it interesting, and the more I pondered on it, the more I wanted to write about it. I wanted to share with you the joys and stories that I have felt connected to music (and to maybe introduce you to a couple new types). Music is an important part in my life, and it's one that I don't share nearly often enough.
As I'm sure you've already seen, the links are provided for each song if you're interested. (If you don't like the song, don't listen to it--it's real simple.) If any of you out there are actually reading, I'd love to hear your opinion on this quote, and also what songs stir powerful emotions within you (with or without words), and if there are any you'd recommend to me.
P.S. I'd like to put it out there that I've never seen Moulin Rouge. I know the song because of my parents. I'm also fully aware that this was not the original version of the song. Don't worry, guys.
I hope your day is as awesome as you.
Usually, when I really, really want to listen to soundtracks, I'm missing something that I don't even recognize. Sometimes it's motivation. Sometimes it's some heart-tugging material. Sometimes it's even some happiness. But there are certain scores that get to me in a way that nothing else in the world can--which is the most magical thing about music. There is something special about music, no denying it.
I think that the most romantic song ever written in a movie score is "Epilogue" from La La Land. For one thing, it plays little bits of all the songs throughout the movie, which I automatically love, but the way that the music flows together so seamlessly is just perfect. And then, when it gets to 4:32, the way it swells into their theme is just beautiful. Every time I listen to it, it never ceases to leave me breathless.
The first songs that made me fall in love with scores were "Statues" and "Courtyard Apocalypse," both from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. I remember sitting in the theater on July 14, 2011, giddy beyond belief that I was finally seeing these scenes on the screen. The music for "Statues" started ("Courtyard Apocalypse" comes a little later), and it made me feel something. I can't quite describe it. It felt like excitement, but it also made me feel so involved in the story and drew me into that world more than anything had done in a while. I saw it differently, which doesn't really make sense, even as I say it myself. But every time I listen to either one, I feel like that eleven year old sitting in the dark theater, feeling emotions soar through me with every note. I could not get over how that music made me feel--and even now, I still haven't. The score for that movie is my favorite of all time.
But my very favorite individual score is "The White Tree" from The Return of the King. When I first watched this movie, it was New Year's Eve (actually, it was probably really early on New Year's Day), and I was watching it by myself at this point. And when the song started, I didn't really notice it. I mean, let's be real here--how often do you really pay attention to the music in movies? But when it got to 2:35...oh man. It's a little different on the soundtrack than in the actual movie (nothing severe), but both of them still yank at my heartstrings. Something about the hope and adventure and determination that were all expressed through the music stunned me. Listening to it while watching the scene, I thought to myself, "Wow. I think I'm in love with these movies." And again, every time I listen to it, I can just feel a renewal within me of encouragement and strength and happiness (and a desire to watch Lord of the Rings). I'd never fallen in love with music like that before that night.
Some of you are rolling your eyes, saying, "Odessa, music like that is so boring. Why don't you talk about stuff that actually has words?" Sure thing, impatient readers.
Of course, if I like the lyrics of a song, I'll probably like the music as well. It just happens that way. Just take that into consideration and remember that I love the music in each and every one of these--I just appreciate the lyrics far more.
I didn't used to really "care" about lyrics. I mean, I cared what the words were, but I very rarely, if ever, listened to a song and thought, "I swear, I could've written this if I were able to write decent song lyrics." It wasn't until rather recently, in my ninth grade year, when I finally came to understood why lyrics are so important to some people.
I really loved junior high (yes, I had ninth grade in junior high, get over it), and the closer the year drew to its end, the more I struggled to accept the fact that I was moving on. Right around the same time, the final Hobbit movie came out, and I don't remember exactly when or how it happened, but I ended up listening to the song in the credits: "The Last Goodbye" by Billy Boyd. I remember I was watching it on DVD, but I listened to the words (I don't know why I decided to do so), and I was just stunned. I had never identified with a song so strongly, before or since. The part that really struck me and made me listen was when he sang, "To these memories, I will hold. With your blessing, I will go to turn at last to paths that lead home." I couldn't think of better words to describe those feelings I had at the end of junior high. Listening to it makes me sad yet happy at the same time (which is a good thing).
Another song that has truly impacted me through its words is "Vienna" by Billy Joel. I've known of the song for years: my dad is an avid Billy Joel fan, so I was familiar with it. After a couple years of having an MP3 player, he put no less than thirty-three of his songs on it (I had requested three but when he offered to put more, I gladly accepted). I'd requested this one because I remembered the basic tune and that I'd liked it. Listening to it for that first time--really listening to it--provided me with a source of motivation that I didn't think possible. It was shortly into my first year of high school, and the line that particularly struck a chord with me was, "Slow down, you're doing fine. You can't be everything you wanna be before your time." Honestly, what better advice could you give to a poor, stressed sophomore trying to figure out life? I certainly couldn't see any. It calms me down when it comes to all of my different responsibilities and such.
And let's not forget "Lead, Kindly Light" by John B. Dykes. I've liked this one ever since I was pretty young, but I never really knew why until a few years ago. There's always something I need to look forward to, and I've always loved comparisons to light. This one helps to remind me that there is nothing permanent about any of the trials we face. There's a light at the end of the tunnel, but no one said it's coming towards us, and that's because we need to find the strength to move toward it ourselves. "Keep thou my feet. I do not ask to see the distant scene. One step enough for me."
Finally, there are songs that fit in both categories: songs that I love for their words and their music equally. These include, but are certainly not limited to: "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul," "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing," "Take Time to Be Holy," "Indodana," "The Music of the Night," "Silhouettes," and "Your Song."
So, what's the point of me sharing all these with you? Certainly not to convince you that these songs are far superior to what you listen to. I just read the quote and found it interesting, and the more I pondered on it, the more I wanted to write about it. I wanted to share with you the joys and stories that I have felt connected to music (and to maybe introduce you to a couple new types). Music is an important part in my life, and it's one that I don't share nearly often enough.
As I'm sure you've already seen, the links are provided for each song if you're interested. (If you don't like the song, don't listen to it--it's real simple.) If any of you out there are actually reading, I'd love to hear your opinion on this quote, and also what songs stir powerful emotions within you (with or without words), and if there are any you'd recommend to me.
P.S. I'd like to put it out there that I've never seen Moulin Rouge. I know the song because of my parents. I'm also fully aware that this was not the original version of the song. Don't worry, guys.
I hope your day is as awesome as you.
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