Music is what feelings sound like.

Music has always been a big part of my soul. I can listen to and enjoy pretty much any kind of music and whats more, I can appreciate it. As a kid and teenager growing up I played clarinet and came to have a great appreciation for all things music. I enjoyed listening to whatever my parents were listening to with a sprinkling of what was popular for my own age group. Recently I was visiting my parents on a day that had been particularly rough on me and that evening I sat and watched three DVD concerts with my parents, The Bee Gees, Christ Botti and Neil Young. I didn't really know to many Neil Young songs, in fact I really only knew Heart of Gold and now I love all of them. Now the songs have a precious memory attached to it. A day that started off not so great turned into an evening I will never forget. Young sang about memories and life; you could see in his expressions his feelings.
All the music that means so much to me is attached to some feeling or memory, good or bad they're there. Sometimes the song can bring back a feeling you haven't felt in years and some songs can completely turn the day around (Michael Franks - Antonio's Song, just makes you feel like melting into a vodka tonic and a poolside chair).
I remember being very broken hearted in high school, probably about a boy, probably Alex, and my Papa said, "I know it seems like every sad song on the radio is being played for you, and that just means that other people have felt the way you do." I always remembered that. Music and lyrics are like a quick trip down memory lane for your heart.
Music can also stop the hands of time, again, your right back in a certain place, a certain time. The Leonardo DiCaprio/Claire Danes version of Romeo and Juliet Soundtrack can take me right back to Alex and I's first date at the Mission Inn, Des'ree - Kissing You from that same soundtrack also takes me to the Sacramento Airport waiting for my flight back to Ontario after my first visit there to visit him. I can close my eyes and remember looking at my carry on, seeing the now, dehydrated roses, he brought me when he greeted me and feeling such a mix of emotions. I could cry tears of happiness now just thinking of it.
There are songs that I remember listening to over and over and over again because it was the only way I could hear CLEARLY what I was feeling (Alanis Morissette - That Particular Time)
There are songs that remind me of a carefree time in my life, no serious concerns and feeling like nothing could go wrong. (Kenny Chesney - She's From Boston, Young, Summertime)
There are even old songs that have so much meaning to me now (Connie Francis - Wedding Cake) Knowing that through the years people have felt the same way and that some things don't change and that's ok! That's life, 'que sera sera'!
I could go on and list hundreds of songs along with a memory or feeling.
So, tonight I looked up Neil Young on You Tube and came upon some of his performances from the early 70's. He sounds the same, but of course look older, his expressions are the same 40 years later. I bet he sees himself in '71 and feels a lot of those same feelings he felt then. I bet he knows that feeling of being transported through notes and lyrics. Now, his songs will always remind me of my father and that evening we spent watching him sing.
When I get old I just want to sit and listen to my iPod and remember my life.