How music shapes us all

It can easily be said that music influences everyone. I don’t think I have ever met anyone who doesn’t like music. I think that if I ever did, that would be a sure indicator to me that we probably wouldn’t get along.

It seems that lately I have been drawn back to this same thought and feeling whenever I listen to music. Music can influence my mood dramatically. If I am feeling down I will normally put on an Above & Beyond remix, usually my favourite track, ‘On a Good Day.’ Or if I’m already in a good mood, an emotive song can take me there with it, such as ‘No Ordinary Morning’ by Chicane or take today, for example, Prince’s ‘Purple Rain.’

When I heard the news today that another of this world’s bright and talented star has gone from this earth I was heartbroken, I am nowhere near over the passing of David Bowie and now Prince is gone from this world as well.

Bowie and Prince were the two biggest influences in my life as a child and as an adult. I remember dancing in the lounge room with my sisters to Prince’s ‘Thunder’ and then as an adult belting out ‘Diamonds and Pearls’ when I have the house to myself.

I call myself lucky to be able to say I saw him perform live on stage, and what a performance it was. It is something that will stay with me for the many years to come.

Today has been happily spent listening to both Prince and Bowie, and I think it is a day well spent. Music is such an important thing in our lives, and we need to take the time to appreciate it and those who make it before they return to the stars.

Music shows us how to express ourselves, it’s a beautiful form of art and one that only a handful of people can do faultlessly. Prince was one of those people, as was Bowie. I feel privileged to have had his music in my life and to have it here today. I will keep listening, and keep on letting it shape my life through the years to come because it is up to us to keep the music and the memories breathing.

© Sarah K. Gill - 22 April 2016