Music

 

Music is the language that everyone understands - even those of us who are tone deaf.  It connects people, crosses borders, prejudices and can speak to you when words fail. Although there is much debate, I personally believe making music is a gift. No matter how much time I spend practicing, I cannot physically separate pitch (high and low frequency sounds) know harmony from melody, and rhythm---forget about it.  Yet, I love music, as much or more than the next person.  So, with that said, here are a few observations about music. 

10)    It is widely believed that the first musical instruments were a flute and a harp (lyre). Genesis 4:21 talks of Jubal (descendant of Cain) being the "father of all those who played the harp and flute."

9)   Who knew that you should listen to music for health reasons.  A recent Harvard study said music can lower blood pressure and heart rate, improve mood and reduce anxiety (dopamine production)--all without a prescription.  Where are my earbuds?

8)    After all, what else can put a smile on your face so quickly, maybe even a tear in your eye - make you laugh and cry at the same time - and cause you to dance as if no one is looking.  Admit it, you know you have!

7)    The song that has been played the most times (not necessarily the most popular) happens to be "It's a small world."  Current estimates indicate it has been played over 50 million times.  Originally, created for the 1964 New York World's fair and picked up by Walt Disney.

6)    The song that has made the most money is - wait for it - "Happy Birthday." It is over 120 years old and still collecting royalties - as much as 2 million a year when used for commercial purposes. The rights are owned by the Warner Music Group.

5)    The artist with the most number one songs of all time is the Beatles - I'm sure you have a favorite Beatles' song.

4)    There are music genres for everyone - Spotify has identified over 1300 from around the world.  Pick several for your playlist.

3)   Want to make some easy money?  Write a hit song and you can retire off the royalties alone.  "Yesterday" by the Beatles has earned over 65 million just in royalties. Gary Portnoy, whom you probably never heard of, wrote the theme song for the TV sitcom "Cheers--Everybody Knows Your Name." He said his royalties provided him with a comfortable life and he never had to work.

2)   Never give up your dream.  Elvis performed at the Grand Ole Opry's iconic Ryman auditorium, singing "Blue Moon of Kentucky" and bombed so badly, the talent manager told him to go back to his day job as a truck driver.  He never returned, and as everyone knows became the King of Rock and Roll selling more than one billion records--more than anyone in the record industry.

1)    "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen is one of the most famous and recorded songs of all time (One of my top ten).  Hallelujah by definition means "Praise God" - yet it is not a religious song. It is about a love gone wrong, yet it has many religious overtones. Your interpretation might be different and somewhat deeper and therein lies the mystery of this song.  There are over 300 recorded versions. It has played everywhere - movies, funerals, weddings, the Olympics, and there is even a Christmas version.  Notables of the 300 performers include, Willie Nelson, Bon Jovi and Bob Dylan, but many say k. d. lang performs it best.  Give it a listen sometime or just "stream it."