It is amazing the kind of role music plays in our lives. Not many of us realise it though. We all like music. We were designed to like it. The very first thing that develops of a human body is the heart. And with it- the heartbeat, the rhythm(I think I remember this from a discovery channel program. LOVE their documentaries).Human beings like things that are in pattern, that display order of some kind. Perhaps that's how music originated; when people played musical notes and repeated them, in order.
Even though the means to produce and to reproduce music may have changed drastically over the ages, the desire or rather need for music remains. And when we talk of music, movies cannot be far behind. Talking of hollywood, before talkies were introduced, there was live music played with the motion picture. Imagine an orchestra at every screening!! No wonder going to the movies was such a big deal back then.But even today whether its to set the mood in a rom-com, warn you of the impending doom in the fast paced thriller or the mysterious climactic music playing just before the ghost/bad guy/alien strikes in a horror movie, music is the unsung hero. But my personal favourite is the theme music every character has. A character's theme music is the dead giveaway in any movie, of course apart from there facial expressions. It is sometimes also the trademark of a series/characters. All of Quentin Tarantino's movies wouldn't have the same flair without the music. Steven Spielberg's movies' music only add to the grandeur of the projects. What would bind all the bond movies together better than that signature spy theme?
If we take a closer look at home, we'd see that music is ingrained in an Indian lifestyle the way ghee is added to punjabi food. Its not a supplement, its an ingredient. We have songs and music for every occasion(but that does not mean we sing and dance only on "occasions"). And here too, music in the movies has been, since the time of inception of the movies, the very soul of them. There was a time when even if the story, screenplay, acting by the actors did not strike a chord with the masses but the music did and the movie was a hit. Although, attributing to the new-age viewers, there are a lot less songs in the movies and the movies are a lot shorter in duration, music still has great importance.
Personally, I love music for the moments created by it. Here's a list of "that awesome moment when..."
1. You're at the gym and the music corresponds to your moves(or vice versa, its pretty hard to tell) and you feel like Sylvester Stallone from "Rocky".
2. An old song plays on the radio and you still remember the lyrics and can sing along.
3. When you are whistling a popular song in the hostel and someone on the other side of the corridor whistles the next part.
4. Without realising you are singing an old jingle/advertisement at home and your sibling sings along. And at the end you say to each other"Oh my God! You still remember that too?!!"
5. You chance upon songs from two decades ago and you make fun of how weird those songs were and feel kind of embarrassed because you liked them.(this is true for any generation).
6. There is always that one song in the parties that is played and has been played ever since it was released and you remember how many times you have danced to that song with different set of friends and different locations.
From personal experience, music has the power to change any mood. I dont know of a way to stay gloomy when I am singing a song. Whether it reminds you of the good old days, or just makes you feel stupid while doing it, it sure brings a smile on your face. Try it!
If we take a closer look at home, we'd see that music is ingrained in an Indian lifestyle the way ghee is added to punjabi food. Its not a supplement, its an ingredient. We have songs and music for every occasion(but that does not mean we sing and dance only on "occasions"). And here too, music in the movies has been, since the time of inception of the movies, the very soul of them. There was a time when even if the story, screenplay, acting by the actors did not strike a chord with the masses but the music did and the movie was a hit. Although, attributing to the new-age viewers, there are a lot less songs in the movies and the movies are a lot shorter in duration, music still has great importance.
Personally, I love music for the moments created by it. Here's a list of "that awesome moment when..."
1. You're at the gym and the music corresponds to your moves(or vice versa, its pretty hard to tell) and you feel like Sylvester Stallone from "Rocky".
2. An old song plays on the radio and you still remember the lyrics and can sing along.
3. When you are whistling a popular song in the hostel and someone on the other side of the corridor whistles the next part.
4. Without realising you are singing an old jingle/advertisement at home and your sibling sings along. And at the end you say to each other"Oh my God! You still remember that too?!!"
5. You chance upon songs from two decades ago and you make fun of how weird those songs were and feel kind of embarrassed because you liked them.(this is true for any generation).
6. There is always that one song in the parties that is played and has been played ever since it was released and you remember how many times you have danced to that song with different set of friends and different locations.
From personal experience, music has the power to change any mood. I dont know of a way to stay gloomy when I am singing a song. Whether it reminds you of the good old days, or just makes you feel stupid while doing it, it sure brings a smile on your face. Try it!
