Music has always been popular, people have always loved it. I am not an exception. Music is a part of my everyday’s life. There is a French word “mélomane” that comes from Greek words “melos” – sing and “mania” – craze, passion. The word “mélomane” means “music lover”. There are no doubts that our generation can be called the generation of melomans.
Music is my passion. I believe music is not only melody and words. For me it seems that music has the ability to reflect my inner world; it can sometimes help me even better than everybody else. Music actually intensifies my feelings. Songs comfort me when I am feeling sad and make me happier when I am feeling cheerful. Moreover, the best thing about music is that it brings the memories back. Every song that I like is connected to a particular part of my life. When I listen to it – I go back in time. Music is my personal time machine. Also, my belief is that there are songs that can describe my personality much better than simple words.
As for me, I suppose that the first song that describes me better than others is the song by Kanye West “Stronger”. In this song he says that things that do not kill us can actually make us stronger. This is my motto in life, and that is why I like this song. I am sure that all the problems that I face on my way are there for a reason; I am meant to overcome every little bump on the road. And all of the problems help me to understand who I really am. The line from this song – “What does not kill me makes me stronger”, is actually a quote by Friedrich Nietzsche (Songfacts). Kanye’s song reflects my vision of all the problems, obstacles and complications that I face – I must do everything possible to overcome them and become stronger. I am an international student from China. It was extremely hard for me to make this decision and move to the USA. I was always thinking about my friends and family that I am leaving at home. When I came to America I did not know anyone and I had a culture shock, I was homesick, and I felt lonely, I thought I was different from everybody else. But the time passed and I started making new friends, I learnt a lot about American traditions and it helped me to become a better person. Moreover, I solved another issue and I started talking to my family using internet and finally I got used to America, its culture, its people and customs. It was very hard for me, but finally I overcame this problem, I realized I am not different, and I am not that shy person anymore. I have become stronger.
The second song is by Kid Cudi and called “The Prayer”. One of the lines of the song is “Sometimes I'm thinking God made me special here on purpose”. I believe in God, and I know that every person is meant to be here, is meant to live on our Earth. Every person has a goal in life, and each of us is born for a reason. So am I. Another line in the song is “And if I die before I wake, I pray the lord my soul to take, 'cuz I'm ready for a funeral”. I know there is heaven, and I think that, after our death, our souls go to God, so this song is very close to me as it reflects my attitude to God and religion in general. I am a religious person, and so is my family. I was raised with the idea that there is God and he will be helping me throughout my life. I was told that whenever I have problems God will help me. My family is far away from me, and I pray to God to make them healthy and happy. Nobody is insured against such things as death, either this is us or our friends and relatives. I know that I have got to be ready for it and I do appreciate each day of my life and always try to be as close to the people I love as possible. I go to China every time when I have this opportunity. When I listen to this song I always start feeling very calm, and I start thinking about the times when I was little, when I spent all my time with my family, my Mom and Dad. This song helps me to fight with my sadness and helps me to stop being homesick. All I have to do is just listen to it and I can feel the presence of my family and God. I feel like I am at home once again and nothing has changed.
The third song I would like to mention is the song “Stop and Stare” by One Republic. It tells us about a story of every person’s life and mine, as well. The song is about trying to find our way through our lives. Everybody is moving forward constantly, but we never know for sure where we will get. There is a line from this song “I think I'm moving but I go nowhere” and I believe this phrase not only describes my feelings but also feelings of millions of people. I am a student now and I do not know what exactly I want to do with my life. I am developing and learning many new things, but I don’t know where it takes me. For now, I think I want to stay in the USA, I want to live and work here. When I am older, when I have a job I want to take my family from China here and we will live together just like earlier. The song reflects my current situation as I am still young, I have many paths, and I have to make this important choice that will have a huge impact on my future, on my further life. Right now I know that there is no need to rush, I need to stop for a second and think carefully. I know my family is always there for me; they are the most important people in my life. They support me in all my beginnings. I know that it does not matter what choices I will make because my family will go with all of my decisions. They trust me and treat me as an adult. I appreciate their faith and I will do everything possible in order to make them proud of me.
When I was younger I was listening to a different kind of music. I liked the music itself and did not pay attention to lyrics. Now, I prefer songs that have a meaning and that reflect my personality, feelings and my thoughts. There are many amazing songs that help me to understand world and who I am. Music always helps me no matter how I feel. Every time I need to make a choice, I just listen to music, and it helps me to think. The only thing is that I need to pick the right song for a particular situation. Music is my life, and I cannot imagine my life without it. I am glad that I live in this century, the era of “melomans”.
Works cited
“Stronger by Kanye West”. Songfacts. LLC. Web. 8 Feb. 2014
