Music: The most powerful drug in the world

She talks to angels ~ The Black Crowes

My daughter once asked me why I spend so much time listening to music. Simply put: to feel. To live. No matter what kind of mood you are in, there is a type of music for you. It's a way to express yourself when words fail. Music brings different people together. It can create unbreakable bonds between the most unlikely of possibilities. It transcends time. It enhances conversations. It helps your mood. As a very good friend told me, music is everything. It helps you be free, mind, body, and soul.

A good song can evoke emotions and take you on a journey. It can change your whole outlook on a situation. It can steal your soul. You could hear a song from twenty years ago and it's like you're back in that moment, reliving it all over again. It's your own personal time machine. So crank up the volume and take that trip!

#musicismylife

For some people, such as myself, music centers you. It keeps you calm when your world is in turmoil. It can take you down memory lane and evoke deep feelings. It gives you something to relate to. Music is your best friend. It understands that there are different sides of you, even those that you may not show to the world. There is no judgment. No right or wrong. Music never lets you down.

You can always count on music to understand, to relate, to make you feel better. Once you hit a rough spot in life and you turn to music to help you cope, it becomes an addiction. You crave that feeling. That escape. The distraction from your problems. Music is therapy.

#musicjunkie

I asked multiple music junkie friends of mine the same question. Why is music important? Most of them had the same reasons as I do. But one, being the awesome person that he is, gave me an answer that summed it up perfectly. One note can change your soul. I've never heard anything so true. You don't just enjoy a good song. You experience it. The lyrics touch you in a way that a conversation just can't. It makes you feel like there is someone out there who can read your mind.

With just a few lyrics, you realize you are not alone. Someone out there understands your pain, your anguish, your love, your fear, your compassion, your love for life. A good song will flow through your veins like the strongest drug. It makes you bob your head and move your feet. Your heart will race. You get light headed. It's almost like falling in love and you can't help but sing along. There have been multiple studies conducted by scientists which show that while listening to music, your body produces the chemical dopamine, which is basically our brain's way of rewarding us when we fulfill a need, such as eating, sex, or using drugs. So it is true, in fact, that music is a drug and you can experience the same feelings of euphoria, addiction, and withdrawals,

#photooftheday

Still not convinced? How about the fact that music is represented in almost every culture in the world and can be traced back thousands of years? It's a way to communicate. To show pride. Think of how a nation as great as the United States, which is so full of diversity because of different beliefs and races, unites over one song. It makes people cry, it makes them proud, it makes them show respect.


Even nature makes its own music. Drive out to the country on a warm summer night, shut off your truck and just listen. Crickets chirping. The gurgle of a creek. Frogs croaking for rain. The rustle of the wind through the trees. It fills you with peace. Music is everywhere if we just take the time to listen and enjoy. What makes music special to you?

Hello World

Welcome to the Mind of a Music Junkie. In case the title didn't make it clear, I consider myself a full-time music fanatic. I love all things music. Learning interesting facts about artists, stories behind the song lyrics, covers, and discovering new talent. This is the start of my blog so I'm not sure which direction it will be going in but we'll discover that together. Don't forget to follow me on #Instagram and #Twitter too!

I love discussions so please make sure to leave a comment on anything you've read or if you have an idea for something I should consider a post about. I'm open to having guest bloggers or to help advertise new upcoming artists so don't be shy.


For my opening post, let's talk covers. Who doesn't love hearing their favorite artists cover their favorite songs from other people? It's not an uncommon occurrence to go to a concert and hear that band play another person's music. Sometimes they leave it exactly as the original artist, which is okay. But when they put their own spin on it, that's when it becomes more.

There is no way to list all my favorites so I'll stick with two. Blue on Black, originally done by Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Recently redone in 2018 by Five Finger Death Punch. As an added treat, the new video just released this month includes FFDP, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, country singer Brantley Gilbert (yes ladies this video has lots of eye candy) and legendary guitarist and songwriter Brian May from Queen.

The reason I bring attention to this video, besides the fact that it is a kickass cover, is because it is a tribute to first responders and all proceeds support the Gary Sinese Foundation. Who doesn't love a bad boy who supports a good cause? For those of you who don't know the name, hopefully, this will help.

The second cover I've been mooning over recently is Rolling in the Deep, originally sung by pop star Adele and amazingly recreated by Linkin Park. I love when artists are brave enough to not just cross genres but genders as well and make it into their own creation. And who doesn't love the late Chester Bennington? Sadly yet another musical star lost before we could see all that he was capable of. If you're a fan of either Adele or Linkin Park, I highly recommend this video for your viewing pleasure.

So, now that I've shown you mine, let me see yours!