In every television show, commercial, and movie trailer it is right there; harnessing your attention, riveting your anticipation and directing your expectation. It is the theme, the musical background, the sales jingle that tells you what you should expect. The music tells us what to look forward to and as a result creates the mood. It is the music that tells us when our favorite television shows are coming on. I cannot listen to the William Tell Overture without thinking of the Lone Ranger. There are not a lot of people that would say that they could recognize the song Suicide is Painless. But if I were to tell you that is the theme song to the old MASH series there would be instant recognition. And if you were a regular in MASH’s television audience, you are probably humming that tune right now. You may even be remembering some favorite episodes and what sparked that was a tune. It was the musical jingles that taught us how to spell. Remember M, I, C, K, E, Y, M, O, U, S, E? (for all of you old timers) Or is this one any better; “Oscar Mayer has a way with b, o, l, o, g, n, a?” The jingles taught us that we could double our pleasure and our fun just by chewing gum, that we should obey our thirst, that a sprinkle a day keeps the odor away, and that whatever is going on at McDonald’s, I’m loving it. If you are any kind of television watcher, I am sure that there are more jingle sitting in your unconscious memory waiting to be brought to consciousness. It is easy to memorize these trifling ditties. That is why they were designed, to guide our decision making, particularly when we are shopping.
The danger is that more than our shopping habits may be influenced by what we listen to. A nationally known motivational speaker ended one of his talks by telling the audience that he was going to ride a motorcycle across the United States. What was so amazing about this announcement was the fact that at that time he did not own a motorcycle, neither had he ever even ridden a motorcycle. In fact, his announcement surprised him more so than any of his listeners.
The situation came about in this wise. Our non-motorcycle riding lecturer keeps musical CD’s in his car. He usually plays them on his way to a speaking engagement. They are high-energy numbers that are intended to get him pumped prior to his speech. On one of the CD’s there is a song with a theme of riding across America on a motorcycle. After hearing that song enough times, our non-motorcycle riding motivational speaker felt empowered to take that ride, even though he had never ridden a motorcycle in his life.
Our lecturer’s experience makes a case for the suggestibility of music into our habits, choices and lifestyles. Because no thought resides rent free in our minds, it is incumbent upon us to make the best choices concerning our thinking. It is the thought that precedes the action. It is not my purpose to put down any type of music. Nonetheless, a review of the themes and messages found in much of our contemporary music would find a definite want for positive ness in choices and lifestyle. That is a problem. The number one thing that young people (teens) do when they are depressed is to listen to music. That is number one over talking to friends or getting counseling. If the themes they are attending are not uplifting, how can they be raised from their depression? Music does indeed create the mood.
Music speaks to our unconscious. The tempo directs us, almost in an unknowing fashion into agreement with the rhythm. If you don’t believe this, try this simple experiment; when you are trying to get romantic, play Stars and Stripes Forever or play Taps at a pep rally and see what sets the mood. Because of its power and potential to influence, it is important that we recognize and guard well against its overwhelming influence.
Sam Darby, Ed.D is a counselor and educator with more than 30 years experience working with children and parents.
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