I love music. LOVE it. For me, it’s a part of my life. When someone asks, “What kind of music do you like?” I don’t have a solid answer, other than “all kinds.” Gospel, country, rock – if the words are right, or it has a great sound, I’m sold.
Taylor Swift – what can I say about her? I love how she writes. Her songs are simple, relatable, and stay in my head all day. I’m not ashamed to say her songs are scattered throughout my playlist. “He’s the reason for the teardrops on my guitar.” Are you kidding me? One of the most honest, gut-wrenching statements ever proclaimed. Imagine Dragons – aah! Here is a band that you can tell enjoys what they do. Their music is powerful. The inner-conflict of right and wrong is prominent in the lyrics and again, RELATEABLE. The band sings, “It’s where my demons hide,” and it’s as if the songwriters got all up-close-and-personal with my most intimate thoughts. A shout-out to Brewers Grade, a talented group of individuals, including a man who is the best fiddle player I’ve ever had the privilege of hearing and who sang at my wedding and made the ladies swoon. 😉 Joe, I’m proud to say, “I knew you when…” And Ed Sheeran? Well anyone who knows me knows how I feel about this man and his music. One word – Talent. Okay, another word – Adorable. He made the world recognize that being a redheaded man is super cool. See you in August at Century Field, Ed (and thank you to my hubby for buying the tickets and being understanding of my irrational crush)!
Many authors have playlists they create when writing. Some don’t – they find it distracting. I find it inspiring. The music alters my mood and influences my characters’ moods as well. I love a good “sappy” playlist as I write my romance novels. When a song comes on in the car that tugs at the heartstrings, it makes me want to rush home and write, and I make a mental note to add it to my playlist. My favorite spot to write is poolside, alone with only my thoughts, my laptop, an abundance of snacks, and my music (and sometimes my dog, Groot). From the outdoor speaker Brett Young croons, “If you ever loved me, have mercy,” as my character pours out her heart on the page. Chris Stapleton follows up with, “Fire Away,” and I know there’s going to be a battle. Conflict rears its ugly head, the angst sets in, and all hope seems lost. But then Brett steps back up to the plate with, “In case you didn’t know, I’m crazy about ‘ya,” and I know there will be a happy ending, and that love will conquer all (at least between the pages).
Call it weird, eccentric, or just plain crazy, but a powerful song can toy with my emotions and take me back years, to memories I hadn’t thought of in some time. Keith Whitley sings, “I wonder, do you think of me?” and my mind drifts back to my younger years and the friends I wronged or drove away in my selfish and infantile state. I hope these past friends realize I was immature. I hope they know that I’m not the person I was in my late teens and early twenties. I hope they realize they knew me at a time in my life that I was unhappy, insecure, and just trying to get by one day at a time. Cole Swindell sings, “…even if I knew you’d be my best and worst mistake,” and I hum along, knowing that I wouldn’t take back those friendships that saw me through some dark times; and I hope in my heart and soul these people feel the same (or can at least forgive me if they don’t).
Music also makes me think of those I’ve lost on this earth and hope to see again someday. In some cases, it’s when I hear a song I know the person loved. But other times, it’s just the words – or a sweet melody. When I hear John Michael Montgomery sing, “I miss you a little,” (a song I believe he wrote when his father passed, if I’m not mistaken), I grow a bit melancholy as I think of a childhood friend I lost. As I sing along to the words, “…a little too much, a little too often, a little more every day,” the lyrics make me sad, but they’re also part of the healing process.
I’m thankful for all the times music uplifted me. I remember leaving the hospital late one evening after visiting a loved one that I nearly lost unexpectedly. My heart was heavy, and I searched my memory for all the missed opportunities of letting that person know what they meant to me, and for what I could have done differently (luckily, I got another chance). Guilt and a deep sadness hung in the air during the car ride home. It was at this low point that Jason Mraz came on the radio singing, “I’m Yours.” My mood lifted just enough to sing along. I yelled out the words at the top of my lungs, “…I tried to be chill, but you’re so hot that I melted.” I bobbed my head to the rhythm as the tears rolled down my cheeks. To this day I can’t listen to that song without feeling an uptick in my mood. It can always get me out of a funk. Jason sings, “…but my breath fogged up the glass, so I drew a new face and I laughed,” and these words make me smile.
I also love old-fashioned gospel music. It soothes my sometimes-hardened heart. I sit in church and hear the congregation sing, “He was there all the time, waiting patiently in line,” and I bow my head in regret at the way I squandered my week. But then I hear the words to Amazing Grace, and realize I was forgiven before I could ask for it. I sing along about being “on the road to surrender,” and feel comfort that I’m not alone in my struggles.
I love sharing music with my family. We cruise down the road, sunroof open, and sing “Fishing in the Dark,” or “Ain’t Going Down ‘Til the Sun Comes Up,” and laugh riotously at the strange looks we get from passing cars. I love that we experienced a Garth Brooks concert as a family and that I got to share the songs I listened to when I was their age. My two girls love to sing. It makes me happy to see them so happy; to see the carefree way they express themselves. Life’s too short to not be happy.
So, although I have no musical talent of my own (I don’t play guitar – so no tears there, and I can’t carry a tune in a bucket … though when I sing in the shower I convince myself I sound just like the artist blaring from my smart phone), it doesn’t keep me from appreciating music and its impacts. Good or bad. Happy or sad – it’s a part of who I am. So, as you read the pages of my books, if the mood grows dark or a bit sappy, it was most likely inspired by the song I was listening to at the time, so just roll with it and hum along. Join me, and face the music.