The music sounds better with you.

I recently listened to an episode of The Infinite Monkey Cage which discussed music; how it started and what is its purpose. I wasn't particularly interested in the science bit, apparently birds use music as a form of communication. I assume they meant birds of the feathered variety, girls in my life tend to communicate by talking to or ignoring me. If a girl played Leave (Get Out) by JoJo (great song) then I would probably get the message that she didn't really want me there though. Anyway, it got me thinking about what music means to me.

I have remarkably little musical talent. A bloke I know likens musical ability to a muscle, it needs to be trained rather than something which is there naturally. I'm sure that is true but there needs to be some potential in the first place. And anyway, I've never been what anybody would describe as muscular, likening musical ability to speaking a lot of nonsense would be a far better analogy for me, I'm not naturally this stupid you know. If I were to get up on stage I think I'd play the tambourine, my tremors would assist with that. Or the maracas but there is a high probability that I'd get overly enthusiastic, lose my balance and fall over. A lot like when I have a beer.

Yet for somebody with such little discernible talent, music means a lot to me. My taste is absolutely incredible (of course it isn't, I'm nowhere near cool enough), I listen to it almost constantly and I find I can relate to many songs. (Only really deep and meaningful songs though, like Sam and the Womp, Bom Bom.) 

I think the reason it is so important to me though is that music has the ability to make and rekindle memories. I associate songs and artists with different times in my life and consequently with different people in my life. 

Some very random examples:

1) Mary Chapin Carpenter, Stones in the Road: My mam often played this when we were driving home from my nana and grandad's so it makes me think of them.
2) Frank Turner: Makes me think of uni and also Bestival where I left a Boys Noize set at about 2AM to go and see him on another stage. Suffice to say I was off my face.

3. Taylor Swift, 22: I listened to the radio when I ran and this song got loads of airtime for awhile. I loved running.

4. Dido: Reminds me of my best mate (Will). I'm not really sure why, she just does.

5. Iggy pop, The Passenger: I went to Dublin for St Patrick's Day a few years ago and this was played in Cathal's car.
6.Rhianna, We Found Love: Reminds me of pulling a girl I shouldn't really have been pulling. It certainly wasn't love we found but it was a decent night.

Far from the most eclectic range of music and not a great reflection on even my music tastes. None of those artists would make my Desert Island Discs (maybe MCC) but they all lead me to recall memories and people* and that is why music is so amazing.

Like most experiences in life, music is best when you share it with others. The music really does sound better with you.

* In case you're wondering how Taylor Swift, 22 reminds me of someone then: I vividly remember this song playing when I was running in Manchester in autumn 2012. It was during Fearne Cotton's show and so it reminds me of her. I hope we never meet. Why? Because I have morals and I would never want to split a family up but I am almost certain that if we were to meet, she would realise we are destined to be together. I love Fearne Cotton. (Is 25 too old to still have celebrity crushes?)