Let’s make beautiful music together

Music is something of an enigma to me.

I have no musical talent whatsoever. I do not like to sing and I don’t play any musical instruments. I have no sense of rhythm and I can’t keep a beat. I can’t even properly tune my radio.

Still, I like to listen to music. I have a very eclectic taste. When I’m trying to write or do other work, I prefer instrumental music, especially movie soundtracks. I find the music relaxing and inspiring. It takes me to my happy place. Give me the big, brassy John Williams orchestra doing the “Star Wars” theme and I’m good to go.

I grew up in the 1970s on what is now called classic country. Back in the day it was country and western music. I was opposed to rock and roll. I hated it. That changed when I got to high school in the 1980s. I started hanging out with a different crowd and got hooked on rock.

By the 1990s I was not happy with the direction that rock music took. I was, however, caught up by Garth Brooks and made a sharp turn back to my country roots. That lasted until the late 1990s when I discovered a love for contemporary Christian music. I was going through a major faith-strengthening transition in life and the music spoke powerfully to me.

There are times when I like to lose myself in the music of the ’70s and ’80s. I find the memories and emotions of that music to be intoxicating, which is why I don’t listen to it when I write. I become too distracted.

Part of the problem I have with that music now is that a lot of what I liked turns me off because I find the lyrics offensive. Even so, there are many pleasant memories associated with those old tunes, so I’m often conflicted when I hear them.

It used to be that the most popular music had some kind of a story or message that gave it meaning. The stuff today called music is generally an affront to intellect. Case in point: Miley Cyrus.

The other day at Relay for Life, I had the misfortune of having to listen to the lyrics of some songs I had heard of but was unfamiliar with. I found them to be appallingly immoral, indecent and complete drivel.

I had never heard the song “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-A-Lot before. Most people know it by its opening line, “I like big butts.” I cannot lie; I was disgusted and filled with righteous indignation. It was sickening to see teenage girls gyrating their fannies to the beat and to watch little kids dancing to it.

I’m all for free speech and the first amendment, but I thought Sealy had higher community standards than that. To see young children with carnal knowledge of the song tells me there is a serious parenting crisis in this country.

People need to pay attention to what is going into their minds and those of their family members. It’s true that what you put into your mind is what comes out of it. Once you get a lot of garbage into your head it can be near impossible to clean it out. All you can hope to do is overwhelm it with something positive and encouraging.

The repetitive nature of music causes it to lodge in your memory faster and firmer than most media. That’s why songs get stuck in our heads and we can sing lyrics we haven’t heard in years but we can’t recall what we had for breakfast.

Your mind will lead your thoughts, actions and ultimately your reality and reputation. If you fill your head with immorality, it will lead you to a place you don’t want to go. Likewise, if your fill it with the good stuff, there is no end to the places it can take you. This is true for all people, even if you’re like me and you can’t carry a tune in a bucket.