Scientific research demonstrates that music has a huge influence on our personal and societal wellbeing. While not everyone enjoys the same music, I think most people would agree that music has the power to evoke memory, transform mood and unite people in shared experience.
This shared experience can be with thousands of strangers at a stadium event or something special shared between two. For example, I inherited my love of music from my father, including his ability to make up silly songs spontaneously (something my son also enjoys doing). A friend and I regularly share music recommendations (his taste is cooler than mine). My partner and I occasionally sit and listen to music together with no other distractions (my taste is cooler than his). And I have been curating 500 must-know songs from all genres to inform my son’s musical education.
So it comes as no surprise that music is integral in helping me make meaning out of my experiences. Perhaps like all art, there’s something magical about hearing life reflected in music and seeing music reflected in life.
Here are 10 songs (in no particular order) that have been on high-rotation for me recently. Each has influenced my meaning-making in one way or another.
- Know Better Learn Faster – Thao With The Get Down Stay Down
- This Too Shall Pass – OK Go
- All Your Gold – Bat for Lashes
- Let Go – Frou Frou
- Shame – Joan as Policewoman
- Hello My Old Heart – The Oh Hellos
- Bursting Through – Bic Runga
- Wonderful Unknown – Ingrid Michaelson
- It’s Alright – The Impressions
- Freedom – Emma Louise
Bonus songs from Jan 2024
- Inner Smile – Texas
- Where Is My Mind? – Pixies (honourable mention to Sunday Girl)
- Learning To Fly – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- Rattlesnakes – Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
- Leave – Glen Hansard
- Shelter – Ray LaMontagne
- Move On Up – Curtis Mayfield
- Love To Be Loved – Peter Gabriel
- I’ll Say I’m Sorry Now – Shawn Colvin
- Youth – Daughter
Photo credit: Counting Stars
Ode – Arthur O’Shaughnessy 1873
This One Too 