Music's Secret Weapon

Music comes in all sorts of forms, and people tend to "group" others into categories and stereotypes based on what kind of music they listen to. Some like music because of how it sounds, others like music because of the lyrics. Ultimately though, everyone likes music for how it makes them feel, even if they don't admit it, or even realize it. This, is music's secret weapon.

In my family we have all sorts of musical tastes. Mom & dad have their favorite styles, ranging from contemporary worship songs to soft rock. My sister generally prefers rock, some pop, and an occasional metal band. My brother listens to heavy metal, rap, and rock. As for me... well, I like everything from pop to heavy metal, along with some oddities in between. But we all listen to music because of how it makes us feel: something in the songs we like resonates with us, bringing out a memory or emotion as we listen.

These memories, emotions, feelings: these are why I listen to music. It's part of the reason why I prefer soundtracks over other types of music. Take the Man of Steel soundtrack, for example. I listened to the album when I bought it, and enjoyed every second of it. But... I didn't see the film until two weeks ago. Each track has it's own feeling behind it, making it a unique part of the score for the film. Some have a quiet reflection sound to them, others a rising sense of urgency and purpose. After seeing the film, each track has added emphasis.

If you've seen the film, you know all the emotion Superman displays as the story progresses. Those emotions... they're in the soundtrack. The thrill of experiencing the power of flight for the first time, the determination to save those you care about, the calm that comes from a mother's hug, the anguish of having to take a life in order to save another: these emotions are in the soundtrack. Without the soundtrack, the emotions would still be there, but the music intensifies it.

Yes, composers do this on purpose. They're given a script for the film, and they compose songs to match the emotion that's displayed in each scene. The orchestra then preforms each track as the composer has scored it, and play their instruments a certain way to bring out the emotion that goes with the track. This track is then played with the scene in the movie, and you get to see and hear the emotion from the actor and hear it intensified by the music behind it.

Emotion is music's secret weapon. Music can make or break a film, it adds weight to what is being said or seen, it can brighten up your day, and it can help you remember what Jesus did for you on the cross. Somehow, in God's perfect design of sound, He created the ability for emotion to be carried in the vibrations of molecules. And He used it, too. In 2 Kings 3, we find a story about Israel and Judah, and their war with Moab. In verse 15 we find Elisha asks for a harpist to come and play, and while the harpist is playing, the Word of the Lord comes to Elisha and he tells the kings what they must do. (Cool video about that here)

Music carries emotion. When that emotion hits you, enjoy it, and remember that God's the one who made it that way in the first place.

Godspeed,

Jason