By Ashley Music is important to us if we are anything like them. Music is an integral part of our lives, and we wouldn’t be the same without it. We don’t realize how significant it is in our lives and cultural identities.
1. It’s like having a time capsule
A song can capture the cultural events of that moment better than any other medium. It’s like a time capsule. You can easily recall the exact date a song was written based on the slang or language used.
It is important to mention current fashion trends, technology and celebrity names. They immortalize key aspects of our culture that may otherwise have been forgotten.
Were we ever going to think of Apple Bottom Jeans without Flo Rida or blue suede sneakers without Elvis? We doubt it, but music can remind us of cultural trends from yesteryear.
2. It teaches us language
Music is one of the most important means of communication in our lives. In the womb, mothers sing and play music to their children. Because singing is an integral part of learning language, most parents sing to their children from an early age.
How did we learn the alphabet, one of the most important skills that we acquired as children? Chances are, if you studied another language, you also learned key words and phrases by singing. Music is a fun form of repetition that can be so helpful for memory, and it’s an important part of building our cultural identity.
Do you not speak another language? You may not know the lyrics to a song in another language. You’d struggle to remember sentences in Korean or Spanish, but you can still hum the Macarena or Psy.
3. We celebrate it because that’s how we celebrate.
Music is a key part of almost every moment in our lives. Our first dance at the wedding, blowing out birthday candles, was a great way to score a goal. We even have music playing in our heads as we dance happy. Different music is used to accompany holidays around the globe. There are entire festivals in different countries, as well as events that revolve around music and celebration.
A party without music is not a party. Music and happiness are synonymous in every part of the world.
4. It has an influence on fashion
J-Lo’s pink sweatsuit with hoop earrings. Hammer pants. Every Spice Girl outfit. Mohawks and punky safety clips. Arianna’s ponytail. They are all iconic and so important in their day.
You have a good chance of remembering the outfits your favorite singers wore in their music videos. Even if you didn’t attempt to recreate them in your own closet at that time, it is likely you had a vague idea of what you would look like if you were to achieve those looks.
5. It connects you with others
Music trends are often generational. But there is something powerful about music genres. They shape our cultural identity and create solidarity across generations, age groups, and countries.
Most people are comfortable being vocal about their musical tastes. Dissing someone’s favorite artist could spell doom for your relationship. The internet has made musical fandom a’stan’ phenomenon. This is where fellow music fans unite to form loyal and passionate groups that reach across the globe.
6. Live music brings people together
Music can bring us many wonderful moments. But a great performance of music is a landmark, a standard and a highly anticipated appearance in people’s lives around the globe.
Every culture enjoys the chance to share music and take pride in it, whether it’s at a concert, festival, bar gig, street performer or jam session in the park. Although the live performances may vary by culture, music genre, or age, they all have the same purpose: to entertain and connect the masses for a beautiful moment.