The Sound of Music

The other day as I was adding new songs to my iPod I realized how much music influences my writing.

Let me stop here to say yes, I still have an iPod that I periodically update with music. If you get into my car, you will be listening to my iPod. I play 60’s, 70’s and 80’s music only. You MIGHT hear a few current songs sprinkled in. I will stream music when necessary; and then, of course, I have my own playlists.

A few years ago, one of my favorite authors, Terry McMillan posted on Twitter, “What are we supposed to do with our iPods, iPod minis, and those other ones that are full of amazing music?” I replied, “I will continue to use my iPod in my car (with 70’s/80’s music) until it is forcefully removed.” She liked my reply! I was so happy that she liked my reply and to know that she also enjoyed music on one of these “ancient” devices.

But I digress. I said in an earlier post that I liked to write in the quiet of the library. Well, I also like to write to music. Along with my iPod I have a “writing CD”. (Yes, I also have music CD’s.) Music just greatly inspires me.

Those poems I wrote back in the day were mostly inspired by the Quiet Storm radio segments late at night. I recorded songs onto cassette tapes and became my own DJ. I have songs that remind me of certain times in my life. A song may inspire me to cry, write or to dance like it’s 1978.

I remember a quote by Hans Christian Anderson that read, “Where words fail, music speaks.” I completely agree. With or without words, music works.

So, excuse me as I gather my music sources and search for songs by Earth Wind and Fire.

Does music inspire you?

#music #inspiration #writing