Music Makes Me Happy

You must sing well!

One of the usual remarks I get when people come to know I'm Filipino.  I don't sing well.  I can carry a tune, but not well enough for people to want to hear me sing again.

I love music. I grew up with music. As a child, I listened to all the 70s music that my older siblings, then teenagers, would play on the radio and the cassette player.  I remember liking songs from Saturday Night Fever.  My older cousins who lived across the street would also play music quite loudly on their hi-fi stereo. The stereos then were as big as a today's TV cabinets, with a long player to boot. What fond memories I have of those years.

During the 80s and the 90s, I was glued to the radio.  From heavy metal to punk rock, new wave, pop and light jazz.  I loved the 80s, the era of big hair and shoulder pads, and of synthesizers. My high school friends and I argued on who was better,  Duran Duran vs Spandau Ballet,  Tears for Fears vs Depeche Mode, etc.  I had posters of these bands in my room, bought Jingle songbooks when my allowance allowed, watched as much music videos as I can. And, for the love of music, I learned playing the guitar on my own.

For a time, my interest waned, replaced with household and work matters. Now with the kids growing up, I'm attuned with the latest once again.  I've found a whole new pleasure again in music. I put on my earplugs at every opportunity.  From Christian music on my way to work in the morning, I listen to whichever music suits my fancy during the day. From Earl Klugh & David Benoit, new wave hits  (just now, I'm playing Howard Jones' "What Is Love" and When In Rome's "The Promise" and love the synths), the boy bands, Sting and Bryan Adams (my favorites), the more recent hits from Linkin Park to Rihanna and Bruno Mars, and Glee, of course! Loud songs are reserved to lunch hours and after-office hours, when I'm by myself in the office. Yesterday,  my daughter was so surprised that I know Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe",  and even more surprised when I showed her the A&F video full of fab bods! 

Listening to my favorite songs gives me energy, makes me feel younger; old faves brings back pleasant memories. Studies show that music helps people relax and release stress. It can alter the mood - the effect depends on the music one listens to, of course.  I agree. 

It really doesn't take much to make me happy.