Reflections - Teen Insight
Let the Music Play!
By: Makayla White
Sophomore, Bangor H.S, Bangor, ME
TeenNewsNet Columnist
Music. One word…one word that has an infinite number of meanings.
In the new, upcoming remake of the 1980’s movie Footloose, music and dancing are the center of a group of teenager’s world. In the movie both are banned after the death of a teenager because the town relates the death to teens being out dancing, partying etc. The storyline made me stop and think, 'What if music was banned from my town'? Well for starters, my life would never be the same.
Music is such a big part of my life in general. I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember and I grew up with music playing all around me. Everything in my life is a looping melody or a sturdy harmony. I relate so many things to music that I don’t know where I would be without it. I’m sure most teenagers feel the same way. Music is a perfect way to express oneself. Teenagers today need to express themselves as much as possible. With so much pressure from school, family, and everyday life, sometimes we need to have an escape. For many teens, music is the escape. Different kinds of music relate to different things and emotions. When you’re angry you can listen to dark and twisted music like Screamo and just drown out your problems. When you have had your heart broken you can play Taylor Swift on repeat for hours. When you’re happy you can listen to Jason Mraz or Colbie Caillat. Don’t you see? Music helps us deal with things we don’t even know we’re dealing with. Music changes so many things.
Think about a scary movie…the scene where the girl is creeping up into the dark attic wouldn’t be nearly as scary without the music in the background. The scene where the couple runs into each other’s arms at the end of the movie wouldn’t be nearly as emotional without the love song playing in the background. Music sheds light on things we don’t really pay attention to.
If music were banned from my town my life would be forever changed. I would start a secret society where people could play their own music without the fear of being caught. I would go to extreme lengths to bring it back. Wouldn’t you? Imagine. Close your eyes and just imagine the silence. How would it feel? How would it feel to drive down the road and hear nothing but the sound of tires crunching on the asphalt and blinkers signaling right and left? How would it feel to not be able to drown out the unwanted thoughts in your life? Music speaks when words fail. Music has changed people’s lives. Music is a part of our culture. It runs through our veins. It has the ability to change things. It has the ability to change us.
