Music is something that many people listen to on a daily basis. People can relate to music no matter their age, language or cultural identity. Music is a global language. Even if someone does not understand the lyrics, they can still sense the beat, the emotion and the message of the song. Music unites people because it conveys emotions that we all feel — happiness, sadness, love and hope. All people feel these emotions; therefore, people of different cultures are in a position to hear the same song and feel the same emotions as others.
Blues music originated with African Americans back in the late 1800s. Over time, Blues helped to give rise to other genres of music like British rock and Japanese jazz. Latin music, for example, salsa, is popular worldwide, even with people who do not speak Spanish.
Also, music develops when musicians from different nations collaborate and blend their sounds to create something new and interesting. A good example is K-pop, which originates from South Korea. It combines Korean heritage with pop, hip-hop and R&B from America. K-pop is enjoyed by people worldwide.
“Music is like a recipe,” FHS freshman Noam Barack said. “You take different ingredients from all over the world and create something brand new and tasty.”
Concerts and music festivals are yet another instance of how music unites people. People from different countries travel to enjoy music at one location. Events such as the Coachella Music Festival in Los Angeles and the Outside Lands Music Festival welcome artists and audiences from all over the world. These experiences are enjoyable and also educate people about music and cultures they may not be familiar with.
In addition, music also helps during times of hardship. Songs like Billie Eilish’s “lovely” and Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep” are both songs of comfort and connection. Songs like these can make people feel like they are not alone. Music offers comfort when the world seems scary or unfair.
Today, it is as easy as clicking a button to stream music from any part of the world. Listeners can tap on Spotify or YouTube and listen to songs from nations they have never even been to.
“I think digital platforms have made it easier for music to serve as a cultural bridge because through the internet, music has gained the ability to travel through different cultures and parts of the world,” FHS freshman Abigail Leshniak said. “Their digital platforms allow access to all sorts of music and introduce people to different cultures of music, acting as a cultural bridge.”
Ultimately, music is not just sound. It is something that brings us together as human beings. It teaches us that despite our differences, we are all the same in the sense that we have the same feelings and yearnings. As the world continues to evolve and become more connected, music will continue to aid in our understanding and looking out for each other.
