Do I have a soul? That's a question I've pondered for years and mankind has pondered it since the dawn of time. I guess I would have to say yes I do, and the reason would be music. Music is how life lets me know I have a soul. It can be almost any type of music, if it makes my heart soar, or my toes tap, or gets me hopping and dancing like Tom Cruise in "Risky Business," that's all that matters. I can't imagine anyone who isn't moved in one way or another by some form of music. To quote George Eliot,"There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and guilt, that does not find relief in music." It is that power of music to touch us so deeply or to heal our deepest wounds, that makes music so important in my life.
Another trait of music is that it's universal, Rush said, "Different eyes see different things. Different hearts beat on different strings. But there are times for you and me when all such things agree." In my travels I've been in countries where I couldn't speak the language but we could appreciate the same music. Victor Hugo stated it pretty clearly when he said, "Music expresses that which can not be said and on which it is impossible to be silent." So it doesn't matter to me what kind of music you like, I don't have to understand it or even like it as long as it means something to you, then it has value.
I read this quote the other day and I think its one I'll caryy with me for the rest of my life and hopefully inspire me to not end up like the quote says.
That is almost too sad to think about, I've always battled with my self as to what if any gift(s) I was put on this earth with. But, I believe that I have music inside of me not necessarily that I have songs to write or sing, but that I have a spirit a soul an it needs to come out. I ain't woman, but hear me roar anyway.
My musical tastes can be summed up as eclectic. I was raised on classical music and broadway musicals. Sometimes my dad would break out his favorites, usually that meant an opera. He would tell me the story of each opera or each musical piece. For the most part I couldn't wait to get out of there, but some of it stuck with me. In 1959 we moved to San Francisco, and I was introduced to Rock-N-Roll (devil music). I loved it and have for all these years. I've also picked up an appreciation for bits and pieces so many other types of music, jazz, swing, R&B, and some blues. Like I said before if it moves me, it can't be all bad.
