A Pleasing Chord

“Now I’ve heard there was a secret chord that David played and it pleased the Lord.” (Leonard Cohen)

Dr. Francis Collins was on The Late Show with Colbert this week and he shared that listening to music is a good way for us flood our bodies with natural endorphins. My earliest memory of the emotional power of music was when I was maybe 4 or 5 years old. I would have these really vivid nightmares that would keep me up. So, my mom would play old Amy Grant albums for me at night to help me get to sleep. To this day when I hear her music I feel safe.

My one-year-old daughter is immediately soothed from even the worst tantrum by listening to the Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Snoop Dogg. It’s uncanny how the moment Gin and Juice plays she falls asleep.

I think this emotional connection to really good music is also why I love collecting vinyl records. The ritual of selecting an album, throwing it on the turntable and dropping the needle compounds the emotional release you get when the music flows from the speakers.

So, next time you need a pick me up, try putting on your headphones and listening to some really good music. If you need a recommendation, try out: Emmylou Harris – All My Tears, Porter Robinson – Look at the Sky or S. Carey – More I See.