Christmas

Monday, February 9, 2015

Music

I’ve often mentioned that music has always been a part of my life. My parents always had music playing – at home and in the car. I learned early about the Big Band Era, which played a huge role in my mom and dad’s courtship. I could recognize the bands by the distinctive notes or the songs they played. My parents danced to those songs, and their movements were so graceful – even with the faster paced songs. When they got up to dance at social events, the others on the floor paled in comparison.

My mother was always humming a song, and she’d teach me the words to some of them. I remember hearing The Andrews Sisters singing “Bei mir Bist du Schön (Schoen)” (With Me, You Are Beautiful,) but not understanding the German. So, I went around singing, “My Dear Mr. Shane!” When my mother heard me, she cracked up and told me the real words. I did that a lot – I’d hear the lyrics, but I’d change them into what I thought they were. In the fifties, there were so many singers, and my parents knew them all. That’s why I could sing along at my mother’s nursing home, and fit right in with the oldsters!

My parents had me take piano lessons, and I sang in the school choir when I was in grade school. The piano was moved out a few years ago when my fingers stopped working, but music stilled remained. In my high school years, I listened to all the latest songs, and my parents hated them. My father said The Beatles were a ‘flash in the pan.’ (Sorry, Dad!) Then, in my senior year, many of us started to realize the beauty of older songs of our parents’ time, and rebels that we were, we began listening to Sinatra, Dean Martin, Andy Williams, and others.

Through the years, I was bombarded by my children’s music – heavy metal, grunge, punk, rap, and the rest of the list. But I still took time to listen to my own favorites, too. Even now, I’ll listen to the latest pop music, and much of it, I like. That said, though, I didn’t watch the Grammys last night. I don’t like too many award shows, but I also don’t enjoy watching the musicians perform. I learned who the winners were this morning, and I’m sure I’ll be hearing the songs played over and over.

I don’t watch the Country Music Awards, either, and they seem to air several times a year. I was never a country music fan, but lately, the songs seem to cross over to pop. So I enjoy Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town, along with the current songs. I do enjoy some of the alternative or New Age music, too. I can play something from Wyndham Hill or Secret Garden and become totally relaxed. I suppose I have somewhat of an eclectic taste, music-wise.

So, from my mash-up of lyrics to my humming along to tunes, I suppose I’ll always enjoy listening to music. If only I could get my feet to cooperate so I could dance to that music! Are you a music lover, too? What’s your favorite music? Do you try to dance along?

Peace,

Muff

11 comments:

  1. love, love, love music....my ipod is always playing in the house. it gets me moving and shaking!!

    i am not a fan of the award shows and i never watch them. too much phoney, baloney stuff, they are so fake. just not my thing!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I so agree about the award shows. For some reason, though, I sometimes watch the Tonys -- my love of theater, I suppose!

      Delete
  2. HI MUFF - great post. Music is iur passion and joy here. My husband is a seasoned musician - guitarist, pianist, singer-song writer and years of being the lead singer and rhythm guitar player in bands. He has had some wonderful memories, we both do. I play the drums and sing harmonies. I had to sell my drums when we moved but I have my drum sticks and can keep a beat pretty much on any surface. We love folk music, classic rock and of course, Skipp's originals are amazing. If you go to you tube and put Babe Laurin - Second Revolution' you can see Skipp singing an original (he was adopted and Babe Laurin is his birth name - a story for another time') - Also, There is a song, "JACOB'S SONG" , that was the theme song for the 1995 CT Jerry Lewis Telethon and was featured at the Special Olympics that same year as part of opening ceremonies. I would love to send you a copy. Back then the mode or recording was on cassette tape - if you don't have a cassette player we can put it on a CD for you. Let me know your thoughts and we can exchange email addresses so I can get your mailing address. Keep the music alive!!
    Love Gail
    peace

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, a real professional in our midst! I had no idea. I will definitely go and listen to the song on you tube. My brother played with a string band in the Philly Mummers Parade, but that's as far as we went!

      Delete
  3. I do like music, but I don't have it playing all the time. When i listen to music, that is what I do. I can't have it just in the background. Just not a multitasker.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a shame about the music listening. At least you take time to just listen, though.

      Delete
  4. I am so glad you continue to be blessed by music. I have had to let go of listening to music all the time because my impaired ear nerves become agitated. I do it for a bit at a time, and that seems to be okay.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's funny, because I am definitely affected by noises around me. But for some reason, music, as long as it's played at moderate volume, doesn't bother me. In fact, it usually calms me.

      Delete
  5. I always wanted to play the piano Muff. My parent's decided the violin was a much better choice for me...sigh.
    Music is a big part of my life. I have eclectic taste, classical, rock, punk, metal, blues, surf, etc. I really am not fond of jazz, hip hop or death metal though.

    I dance all time, if only from the waist up while sitting in my chair.

    I NEVER watch award shows.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can you still play the violin? My grandson said he wants to learn, but he also wants to be a spaceman, a construction worker, and a mountain climber. I, too, love chair dancing!

      Delete
    2. I can still eek out a tune on the violin Muff, but I prefer to pay my harp.

      Delete