“I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music.”
-Billy Joel
This exposition is going to sound silly and childish, but it means a lot to me so listen up. I love to sing. That’s who I am. My singing is never met with appreciation. I usually hear, “ugh, not now” or “please no (more often without the please).” Never have I ever been encouraged to sing. I don’t seek a profession in singing. I just want to be able to sing uninterrupted.
"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything."
– Plato
I understand that not everyone likes what I sing, but just once I’d like not to be told to stop. It’s probably not a big deal to those who tell me to stop. But it must be understood that it IS a big deal to me. It is stifling and repressive. It depresses me immensely. This, I know, is the cause of my stage fright. YES that is correct. I have stage fright. When I’m on stage I feel like I am making a fool of myself and no one really wants to see me perform. I use to not feel that way. I use to revel in the chance to get on stage and sing my heart out. Not anymore.
"...Surrender your whole being into a note, and gravity disappears ... with one chord, John Lee Hooker could tell you a story as deep as the ocean..."
- Carlos Santana
To me, music is a form of hightened expression. You give me any situation, and I could probably find you the song that expresses the feelings involved. The tune of a song can take you miles away from where you are. The lyrics written for a song are almost always much more eloquent and real than anything you could say in vernacular. I sing for myself and no one else. I would gladly sing for the world, if the world wanted to hear. But I sing because I love effect it has on me.
"Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosphy. Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents."
- Ludwig van Beethoven
I am desperate for the chance to belt out a song at the top of my lungs. I don’t even know if I can belt. I’ve never been given the chance. Never have I found the moment appropriate to sing at the top of my lungs. I’ve been reduced to singing under my breath as I go about my day; Sitting at the computer, walking to class, whenever. It’s always a stifled whisper.
“Singing has always seemed to me the most perfect means of expression. It is so spontaneous. And after singing, I think the violin. Since I cannot sing, I paint.”
-Georgia O'Keeffe
The only thing better than singing is more singing.
-Ella Fitzgerald