The Effects of Music

     What is it about music that we're all drawn to? Everyone has their own style that they prefer and each person's individual taste is unique. For example, a few of my most favorite artists at the moment are John Mayer, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Neon Trees, Lil Wayne, and Needtobreathe. My range of likeness varies from Alternative to Rock and everything in between except Country (just a little too over dramatic for me, but no offense to those who enjoy it). But just because those artists are at the top of my list today, doesn't mean they will be in a year, or next week. Style and taste changes constantly. 
     Music has evolved drastically in the past 20 years of my life. Music used to be, and still is in some cases, good. But quality artists and bands are slowly diminishing with the fight for "one-hit-wonders" and quick money-makers. Today I realize that a song doesn't sell unless it has some sort of sexual tie. Listeners connect to music through personal connection and how many of us are actually living the "clubbin' life" every weekend we can? The songs about one night stands, continuous dating problems, and overly dramatic love lives consume our popular radio stations 24/7. Now don't get me wrong, there are plenty of "time worth spent artists" out there, just some are hidden more than others under the overly played, sometimes ridiculous music. Why are we attracted to artists such as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Ke$ha, Justin Bieber, and Adam Lambert? What makes them so excessively popular to today's generation? What happened to music like that of Frant Sinatra, Miles Davis, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Bob Marley? Today music is about money. Whatever it takes to make a below average hit and get rich quick. Radio stations also destroy likability of fairly decent tracks by over playing them and diminishing their value, thus making a once good song annoying because of the amount of times you hear it throughout the week. 
     But as our world's standards of music quality drastically decreases, I commend those who truly search and find simply good music. Music that rips at your emotions and puts you in several ranges of moods whenever you listen to a certain genre. Music was meant to inspire you, lift you up, connect to the most personal feelings a human can have, and reach down into your soul without speaking a single word. Lyrics are supposed to be thought out, written for a very reason, and expressed through an artist as he or she exemplifies their deepest and darkest secrets to reach out and connect to the common public.  What would life be like without music? How dull would our world be if our source of self expression was not filled with music? Whatever artist you prefer, dive into their work. Completely consume yourself into their words so that you can truly feel how they feel. Let it take you away from whatever stress or distractions you're going through at that very moment even if it is for a split second. Music changes lives and if nothing else, can simply inspire a local want-to-be artist to take their next step to become the next Jimi Hendrix or Led Zeppelin. Music is everywhere around us, so don't fight it.