What Happened to All the Music?
Please do not worry. I am not going to say anything about music today. Since I rarely listen to music anymore, my opinion is irrelevant. But what ever happened to all of my music?
As a person who prefers quiet to having music in the background, you probably would not know that this is a fairly recent change for me. During semester break one year in college, I took a job at the Rock Island Arsenal near Rock Island, Illinois. Actually, the arsenal is on an island (Rock Island obviously) in the Mississippi River separating Davenport, Iowa and Rock Island, Illinois. That summer I lived with my father’s parents in Davenport. I know that my dad being in the service and my uncle being a high end civil servant at the arsenal helped me get that job for a massive $2,73/hour. Hey, it was the early 1970s, and that is what they paid. I spent a good portion of my net to buy a nice stereo system for my dorm room.
As an aside, my job was to take project change reports to the mail room, where they would make 26 copies of each page. I am certain each copy went to someone important. My imagination told me it was one copy to file, one to forward, and 24 to throw away. It is our government after all.
I had a lot of LPs in those days. The music was always playing when I was there. Today, I am not sure where many of those records are. As time passed, I ended up with a large collection of CDs too. Of course, the music changed along with the times. I probably have fifty or sixty CDs today. Then, time changed again. I got iTunes on my first iPhone. Then I loaded it up. Aida loves Latin music, so my iTunes is filled with lots of that as well. Some of the artists I really like, especially Juan Luis Guerra. As you likely recall, you used to have to buy music. Wow! Times have really changed.
Today, I sit here on my reclining couch, with only the rain outside for accompaniment, and my dog Akiva of course. It is quiet now, but I am not rushing to listen to anything, even though I do love the music I have. For example, I have the Christmas album (CDs) from the Three Tenors. Did I play it over the holidays this year or last? No.
I am not certain when this change occurred. I do not recall making any conscious decision to cut music from my life. Somehow, I just am not interested anymore. When I consider my past, the change seems odd. From time to time, I will see a music video online from George Strait and watch it. There was also a music video online featuring Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison’s son playing one of George’s biggest hits. I watch that over and again.
Still, my LPs, CDs, and iTunes remain silent. Maybe my brain told me the sound was distracting. Too bad my brain did not share that decision with me. I suppose we all change over time. I am not complaining. It is just odd that something I loved for so long no longer matters. Perhaps it is a good thing. My mind is free from distraction as I write this or my next novel. It may be that simple. Or I am just becoming an old grumpy Gus. If you love music, I hope you enjoy every song. Just keep the volume down. Gee, maybe I am a grumpy Gus after all. I wish you all the best.
If you’re a grumpy old Gus, then I could be a grumpy old Gertrude. I love music when I want to hear it. When I’m writing, I also prefer quiet.
Karen, writing is special, and I think most of us prefer quiet. For me, I just seem uninterested. Aida loves music playing all the time. Perhaps I was overwhelmed with that. Or I really am a Grumpy Gus. I will lot others decide.
I quit my paper route in 1966 and got a job in a toy store making $1.00/hr. In 1968, I took on a job in the sporting goods department of Federal’s Dept. store making $1.75/hr and 5% commission on everything I sold. At 18, I went to automotive and worked in a supplier factory for $2.75/hr which was BIG money with overtime then. As for music, I listen to 70s, 80s, and 90s music on Spotify with my headphones when perusing my email, blog reading, etc. I do agree with Karen, though, that I have to be in the mood – which is dwindling. I also like the quiet when writing.
John, we are not that different, although that Rock Island Arsenal job was not until 1975. The pay rate seemed low, but I was thrilled to have some cash in my pockets. My parents were more country-western music fans, so that was most of what I heard growing up. When I was in Ethiopia, one of the other military brats introduced me to the Rolling Stones. I was never crazy about them, but rock and roll became my favorite genre, even though I have a lot of George Strait music on my iTunes. Perhaps loving quiet is related to aging, or perhaps we grew up with the best music, and today’s songs leave a lot to be desired.
I will play the radio station in the car for background noise, and every now and then, I’ll sing along without even thinking about it. In my class when I’m alone, I will have lo-fi instrumental music playing. But I don’t deliberately pick out songs to play. I don’t have any music stored on my phone, no playlists for me. And yet, I love to dance to music. I think it just all depends on my mood. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Karl!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Yvette, I always listened to the radio on my way to and from work. Often, it was talk radio in the afternoon, and music in the mornings. Of course, my commute was only fifteen minutes, but the distraction from going to work was welcomed. Thank you for your comments.
You never know Karl, you may find music will return to you in abundance.There is a time and place for eveything in our lives. Music is not for you right now.
Perhaps you are right, Joy. Still, it has been a long time since I have listened to music. Time will tell. I do look forward to those once-in-a-while music videos I see online.
Hi, Karl,
I think it is simple. You are writing a novel and you don’t need the noise in the background, regardless of how pretty it may sound. I personally write in stillness. It is completely quiet and I relish it. My characters have my full attention.
All the best and keep writing that novel.
Shalom aleichem
Pat, I agree about quiet when I am writing. Nowadays, even if I am just sitting on the couch, I prefer quiet. It is not a bad thing, just a big change for me. Life goes on, and I am not the person I used to be.
Well, Grumpy Gus, it seems you are in good company. Perhaps it’s age-related, but I prefer the sounds of birds to music nowadays. I LIKE music, but I can take it or leave it, and when I’m writing, I definitely leave it off. Great post!
Blessings!
Patty
I’m glad I am not alone, Patty. It is a shame that I paid for so much music, and do not care if I listen to it or not.
Hi Karl, psychologists tell us that the brain cannot process lyrics in music while writing. I either listen to nothing or soft jazz or classical music while writing. Even when not writing, I sometimes prefer quiet. Let’s be honest, there’s a lot of noise in the world today! : )
Best wishes,
Donna M. Atwood
D. M. Atwood
https://www.dmatwood.com
That is so true, Donna. For me, I rarely listen to music. As I have written more than once in January, I have a lot on my mind. Perhaps that noise is enough. All the best.
I no longer listen to music myself, Karl. I used to have a collection of LPs and 45s. My son got us our first CD player featuring 6disc capabilities. We bought a new one to replace the old one. Then something happened. CD players were incorporated in your smart TV. No more collecting CDs or DVDs. It’s so sad.