Lessons From Music

I love music. In fact, I owe my life to the songs I listen to. I would love nothing more than to go to my favourite singer’s places and thank them for all the hard times they've helped me through. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who feels this way. In fact, one of my closest friends and I once had a conversation about how songs can really influence us at times in our lives.

I agree with that so much. Songs do influence us, and there are many lessons we can learn from lyrics. I've got many songs on my iPod Shuffle that I turn to in times of struggle. Some mean more to me than others. Three in particular stand out – Carry On by Fun, Rise Above This by Seether and Closer to the Edge by 30 Seconds to Mars.

There was a time in my life that I wanted to give up with everything, especially earlier in the year. That was when I came across Carry On. My friend lent me the CD after discovering we both liked a few of their songs, and it was the best thing she could have possibly done.

“If you’re lost and alone

Or you’re sinking like a stone

Carry on

May your past be the sound

Of your feet upon the ground

Carry on”

This impacted me a lot. Especially when I felt this friend would just up and leave me. I worried constantly. This was the song I turned to when I felt like I couldn't breathe. This was the song I turned to when I was feeling stressed over study. This was the song that gave me the power to keep on going despite the way I felt. 

And then there was Rise Above This. I started listening to this because of a teacher I once had. She loved the band and at the time I didn't know it, so I looked up Seether and fell in love. However, it didn't impact me until a few months ago.

“Call your name every day, when I feel so helpless

I’m fallin’ down, but I’ll rise above this, rise above this

Call your name every day, when I seem so helpless,

I’m fallin’ down, but I’ll rise above this, rise above this doubt

I’ll mend myself before it gets me…”

This is a song that means a lot to me. It also gave me something when I needed it: hope. I believe the line that means the most is “I’m fallin’ down, but I’ll rise above this, rise above this doubt.” Everyone should take a good hard look at that line. Those words have become sort of an anthem for me of late. I had – and still have – a lot of doubts. But I’m overcoming those doubts. I’m mending myself.

Finally, we have Closer to the Edge. I've been a fan of Mars since 2009. I stopped listening to them earlier this year and I stopped wearing my Triad. Now, I've had many issues this year, one of which was self-harm. A few weeks ago, I made a mistake and felt very down on myself. I wanted to hurt myself. And then this came on my iPod.

Anyone who knows the song knows it’s got a good tune. Instead of doing something stupid, I got up and jumped around the room, dancing, acting like a complete idiot. I didn't care if anyone saw me. I didn't care what others may think if they knew I spent my time doing it. I didn't care or worry about anything. And best of all, it made me feel so much better by the time it was over. It very well saved my life that day.

“NO NO NO NO

I WILL NEVER FORGET

NO NO

I WILL NEVER REGRET

NO NO

I WILL LIVE MY LIFE”

I will never forget, nor will I regret. But I will live my life.

And that, readers, is why I think songs can save lives.