Moody Music

As I go about my days, there’s rarely a moment that goes by when I don’t have some form of music going through my head. It doesn’t have to be a particular song, it just has to be a melody, or a rhythm, or a sound that reminds me of something in my past or a latest song to expand my head. Anything with noise really.

I also don’t believe I’m alone. You’re out there. Yes you are.

While I’m hearing these musical ingredients it crosses my mind that music creates moods. For everything that we do, music can set the stage for what happens next. Surely this is nothing new but I hadn’t thought about it to any great length. I am now.

My day, like thousands of others, begins with an alarm set to music. My own fault for setting the station to a “classic rock” format but my reason being is that it has strong reception in my area. A very high percentage of my days begin with either Van Halen, ZZ Top, Foreigner or Bad Company. I’ve discussed classic rock stations in an earlier post so you understand my feelings. (if you haven’t read it, here’s your opportunity)  To awaken to these riffs that have been ingrained into my head for 35+ years usually just pisses me off. My psyche has been spun to one of despair before I can even shut the alarm off. Shit. Can my day get off to  a worse beginning? Doubt it.

Yes, I will use my iPod  as my wake-up devise from this point on with more soothing sounds. Thank you.

When a host or hostess begin planning their upcoming party, one of their first steps is to ask themselves if there is to be a theme. When the theme is chosen, the easiest way to set the mood is with their choice of background music. Historically this hasn’t changed for thousands of years. I realize that back in, say 1800, the choices of popular music was somewhat limited but there were choices. What most of us would call, “classical music” there were different time periods so theoretically you could have a Renaissance party, a Baroque party, a Classicism or even a Romanticism event. I mean, think of all the cool parties you could’ve had? That powdered wig always had a place. As years and genres transformed the music scene, the variety of parties seemed endless. How do you have a 50’s party? Before you do anything you think of the music to set the mood. Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis, Little Richard, you get the idea. 60’s? Dylan, Stones, Hendrix, Joplin, Beatles … fun. Then there are the beach themes: The Beach Boys, Dick Dale, Dion & the Belmonts. Drinking? How about some Irish music? Gaelic Storm, Dropkick Murphys. Endless. Who doesn’t like a good Spanish party and before you look for a Charo look-alike you may find some authentic flamenco guitarists to set the stage. There is music for every time, place and event.

Other than the super-cool clothes we all pick out when we’ve finally decided to get in better shape, it’s difficult not to put together a new playlist for doing just that: work out. There’s nothing like a good, fast-paced dance or rock tune to get the blood flowing and get your rhythm going. We all have different likes and dislikes but if it motivates you to get off of your ass, then it’s never wrong.

Still, when we  think of how music sets moods, the majority of us think of past romantic situations. It’s how many of us remember our own timelines. You know, your first slow dance to “Aubrey” or sitting next to a lovely female friend, transistor radio in hand, and on comes “You’ve Got a Friend.” The moment stands still. How about when you’re returning from a movie, in your dad’s car (without Dad), and you’re planning out the fast approaching “make-out” scene in your head. What’s the most important item on your list for setting the mood? Slow, easy-listening love songs or maybe just the soft voice of either a male or female vocalist to put your lady friend at ease. The afore mentioned “Bread” was always a good closer. Dan Fogelberg? Absolutely. America, Croce, Manilow … nailed it. The rest was up to you but the ambiance was set.

Has any of that changed for you? Do you still like to set the table for what may come next? No doubt you do and it’s definitely a conscious decision. Maybe Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and you’ve already returned from the jewelry store with a trinket of affection for your loved one. Maybe just a hand-written card will suffice. As your mind races to the end of the night the need for the correct mood sounds are evident. It’s all about the ambiance. You’ll come through since you know your lady friend so well. “I’m too Sexy” just may not work. Judas Priest? Your call. I don’t know her. I’ll leave that up to you.

Admittedly, my romantic liaisons are not what they used to be. There’s typically not any Fogelberg or Cat Stevens serenading softly as I prepare for a night of love-making but that doesn’t prevent me from arranging a musical backdrop for the occasion. OK, a ‘night of love-making’ is also sorta not a truism. I mean an entire night? Surely not. I digress. In developing my evenings objective, I scour my archives of musical selections and, without fail, I seize one of my favs of the day. (I also use these guys as my workout playlist as it does get the ol’ juices flowing.) Now, the stage has been set. The illumination has been dimmed. My lady is looking lovely and comfortable and, in time with the music, I make my way from the portal. I turn the volume dial up a tad and she’s mesmerized. (In case you’re wondering as I’m sure that you are, the selection of the evening is called, “Invincible” by Two Steps From Hell. A group of composers who write scores for epic theatrical releases for the big screen. I implore you to take the time and find this and all of their records. It will move you to do what I do. Available on Spotify etc.)  As “Invincible” builds from a slow launch and my clothes are being torn from my body, all in rhythm, and the composition moves towards a crescendo, my evening has both commenced and completed in all of it’s glory. A musical Viagra.

Most of you know of Ravel’s “Bolero” and how it was used in the classic film, “10.” An excellent piece and it works well for just such an occasion. Plus the mere fact that that opus has an average of 15 minutes in played length. “Invincible” is a quick 2 minutes and 51 seconds. As I mentioned, I’m not what I used to be.

Now the time has come to put on The Moody Blues. A style to help me through the balance of the evening, which is to shut my eyes and succumb to slumberland.