The Love Language of Music
The songs, and the stories they carry.
How beautiful is it that music can heal you? To find comfort in a song that you've accidentally bumped into? Aren't all those a kind of magic?
A lot of times, you stumble upon good music out of nowhere, right?
A carpool, public transport, clubs, restaurants, radio, ringtones, movies, socials, shared playlists, and where not. How beautiful is that every song has an abode, no matter what! Somewhere that they always belong! A place of origin, a home.
I remember people by the music they associate with—or vice versa. The long-lost nostalgics, the timeless classics, the hype enthusiasts, the party rockers, the blissful dreamers, the silent swimmers, and more.
I let people know I think of them via songs! Times I bump into any song with a personal remembrance, I'd probably send a screenshot of the current play or a tiny text of "cuz it reminded me of you." Sometimes though, I'd sit with the memory of someone, letting it brush past my thoughts for a second. A moment of remembrance.
Some songs spark moments and some entire friendships.
One time, it piqued my curiosity that this woman beside me googled a Bollywood song that was currently playing. Her being an Argentinian, I couldn’t help but wonder the whys and whats! I saw her eyes spark joy as she mentioned how big of an SRK fan she is and of Bollywood songs. Surprisingly, she hummed a few songs jogged from her memory for me to place. I added more song recs to her list, and she, in turn, introduced me to Spanish music, adding a few artists and song recs to start with.
The feeling of discovering a song in a new language and falling in love with it was quite foreign. And my Spanish playlist is named after her, Popi Bongio, in remembrance! Yass!! She walked me home to Spanish Music.
Isn't it amazing how you've music for every moment?
The songs you shout-scream, sing aloud together, those your home walls echo, the beats for shower concerts. The ones you rave to, ones you find hope for a better tomorrow, those that fill the air with romance, the ones that drift you off to faraway places, that hold your hand through heartbreaks, ones that feel old love letters, the ones for 3 AM dances, ones which accompany while discovering a new place, the ones that turn heartbreak into poetry, and the ones that remind you of the summer that changed everything!
Some memories stick with you forever. This dorm mate from the UK, a DJ at heart, had an obsession with the Chaiya Chiayya song! He’d play, and sing it, and slip out between his mixes almost daily! “I LOVEE this song,” he’d always say with a grin.
He’s such a vibe!! <3
You can tell a lot about a person by what’s on their playlist.
- Mark Ruffalo (Begin Again)
There's much your music can reveal, and maybe that's some reason I’m a lot selfish with it. For reasons, I seldom share playlists. I'd rather share songs with you than my playlist. Yeah, I can make you one, but don’t count on me sharing mine! Someone I used to be with made a playlist for us; back then, when the skies were bright. We may not be together anymore, but it remains a sweet memoir nonetheless. An impeccable taste in music. Someone I’ll always remember by the songs they shared with me. After all, playlists are just love letters with better auto-tunes, and who throws away love letters anyway? Probably why I tend to keep most of my playlists to myself—just for my eyes and ears alone. Aren't your playlists a lil mosaic of things that entirely make you, You?
That three-piece Stereo music system and radio at home while growing up were practically a family member. I've seen Acha see specific stores in search of particular artists or tracks, largely flute recitals or Carnatic instrumentals. Acha never listened to music in leisure, but I could tell what he loved from the songs he carried around with him. Somehow, it's always a mix of old Malayalam songs of those times, Mohd Rafi tunes, Carnatic instrumentals, and old classic rock collections.
Over time, the music transitioned to MP3s, speakers, computers, and CD turntables.
Most of my brother’s music folders, CDs, and playlists were passed down to me, and I grew up with them letting his music taste influence mine. He introduced me to the finest tracks and genres, and I, as ever, run to him for music today. I recall all those Tomorrowland festival videos and after movies (the 2011/12 edition was <333) saved on my desktop for years—until the day its display got damned.
The best moments weren't about tech. It was all the joy and vibes!
Those days when all the cousins gathered during vacation, came running to the hallway to dance the moment the system dropped that banger hit! How can you forget those days when we'd blast the speakers so loud, no matter the language, that even the neighbours got a free concert? Regardless they liked it or not! Those were the days!
Some songs turn special to us over time. And others, the moments you find it, you just know. Just like how you’re sure about some people!
Don't you feel certain songs carry the ghosts of people for you? Some songs linger with the presence of people, portal us to places, and let us relive moments that time couldn't freeze. A goodbye whisper. A warm embrace. An ocean summer. Childhood nostalgia. An unfinished story. A surprising encounter. A forgotten friendship. Long walks. The last dance. Club by the alley. Abandoned closure. Hometown. A crush. A live karaoke bar.
Je te laisserai des mots always leaves me with whispers of something new every time! A surge of emotions, a reminiscence, or a faraway daydream.
Imagine—music never really belongs to you alone. Crazy how a song can be your go-to and someone else’s too. Music soulmates or something, idk!!
You’re never really listening songs alone. It always comes with puzzles n pieces of faces, people and places alongside it!
You’re awesome for making it here! <3
If this hits home or resonates with you, I’d love to know it!
♻️ If this made you think of someone, pls restack with your tribe!! thankss! <3
My stories remain free for you here. If you wanna add to my tip jar, you can always buy me a coffee or write to your mom in support! 💌 Much love and hugs!!
This really hit home. It’s crazy how music isn’t just sound. It’s memories, people, and entire moments frozen in time. The part about certain songs carrying the ‘ghosts of people’ really stuck with me. It’s so true, some songs just instantly take you back to a person or a place, no matter how much time has passed. Loved this!
Absolutely love this. Music does a lot for me, but I always appreciate it giving me various waves of nostalgia. It’s like I can reconnect with my younger self just by hearing a melody!