Music = Mood

Does your mood change you music or vice-versa?

Like most people I have music for moods and moods for music. You know, when you are doing something specific and you end up skipping how many ever songs to find the right one to suit you in that exact moment and mood. Maybe sometimes you're driving down the road and that specific song that you have been thinking about comes on. Or when your shuffle play is not playing what you want to hear. I know, I know, our music device is supposed to be able to read our mind but only ads know what we are thinking...

Every person I know can equate a song/s to any time in their life. Each moment that has a level of significance, has a song attached. These musical pieces can literally bring us back to the emotions, feelings, happiness, sadness, excitement, etc. we felt at that time. Also like most people, I have many playlists to coincide with my daily temperaments and activities. I'm one of those people who needs background music on damn near all the time.

We all have our mood music. Whether it hypes us up or puts us to sleep, makes us cry and be in our emotions or to further enhance our serotonin levels, force us to dance or perhaps just be still, we rely on certain tones, voices, melodies, bass, the genre we listen to will assist in that moment. Hip-Hop, R&B, Rap, Dancehall, and Reggae are my most listened too. They get me up forcing me get going. My angry music is usually Alternative, Metal, and Rock & Roll. Classical and Soul are my settle down genres. Jazz and Blues makes me feel all of the instruments. Music from the late 1980's, 1990's and early 2000's holds a special place in my heart. You could say I'm partial to those time periods most of all. I also love time music such as 1940's and 1950's. Today's music just doesn't hit as hard. I can allow myself to enjoy most music. MOST!

Lately I have been drawn to artists such as Jaira Burns, Snoh Aalegra, Jai Wolf, Ayelle and other artists with similar sounds. This music puts me in a trance when I'm writing/typing, cleaning, cooking, working out or driving. Most of the time I put on Spotify, select an artist and let the app take over. Deciding the songs within that artist and within their genre. That is how I have been exposed to so many new songs and artist. My Spotify is currently pushing Devil's in the Backseat, by Lostboycrew, through my Google speaker.

Within my Vibe’n playlist, I have a few songs that invoke that inner me different than others. Anything Sade will literally have me in another dimension. Blooming by, EZI confirms for me to continue to evolve unapologetically. Underdressed by, Verite reminds me of a past-time I struggled with. Be Ok by, Party Favor and EZI was a much-needed song during a numbing and healing time in my life. Trust Issues by Olivia O'brien and Terrified by Terror Jr. are songs that are literally exactly how I was feeling for the past 5 years. Escalate by, Tsar B... The beat, her voice! Morocco by, Alina Baraz featuring 6LACK puts me in a mood alright!!! That song will be the next phase in my life!

I know it seems like this playlist is everything but relaxing or Zen’ish because it invokes so many different emotions and feelings but I am a true believer that if something, a song or person or picture or place or phrase, can still upset after you have moved on, then you truly haven’t healed from the experience… Yet. I truly feel that you must face your pain in order to overcome it. The fact that songs that used to upset me or bring back past emotions that hurt, can no longer make me feel that way, is truly therapeutic to me. To know I have healed, is one of my biggest accomplishments. The fear of pain is overrated. Feel it truly, face it and let it hurt you. Then you can move on from it. And for me, music has the ability to heal. That is my Zen.

When I'm at cafés typing my articles or chapters to my books, I push my earphones into to ears and vibe. This music helps me focus. It helps me center my thoughts. It keeps me focused. Sometimes I catch myself with my eyes closed nodding my head, moving my hands and fingers to the music. I have tried sounds of water, nature, and specific tones to help center my thoughts but I need lyrics to help distract me from my busy mind.

My newest found love for these artists and others in their genre is my new Zen. My new relax music. This music will have me lost in my imagination. Forcing my creativity to flow. Whether my music is blaring or slightly louder that a whisper, I always become captivated by it. Allowing myself to get lost with the sound waves. No matter how loud the car next to me is or the overbearing voices that bounce off the walls and windows of cafés or even the clink of weights and thumps of jogging foot-steps, can remove me from the vibe of these 3 to 4-minute masterpieces.

No matter my mood, I will always be able to think of a song or an artist that will assist me to be in those emotions. That will bring me back or help me move me forward. Music has the power to change your mood, if you allow it. Sometimes we need the push to change our state of being. To switch our disposition. Sometimes I need that. To get out of my head and allow the music to guide me to a different place and time. A different setting.

I'm not sure about you but I wouldn't know what to do without music. It has literally gotten me through some of my worst times and enhanced my best times. My only complaint about music is sometimes a song just isn’t long enough. This makes us repeat the same song over and over and over… I've always had a love affair with music.

For some reason it wouldn't allow me to embed so here's the link to a shorter version of my vibe'n playlist. Enjoy!

Stay Safe, Have Fun and Happy Reading!!!