Music/Songs–The Universal Language

Music unites. Music heals. Music lifts spirits. Music is poetry. Music tells stories. Music fosters connection. Music possesses beauty.

I read an article Songs Tell a Story: The Arc of Narrative for Music*. The piece stated, “Music is a human universal with structure and functions that are strikingly similar across cultures…Music has the ability to shape our imaginations, emotions, and our identities. In the United States, the average person over 13 listens to 32 hours of music per week…”

For me, I cannot imagine a life without music. From an early age, growing up listening to 33 and 45 records, the impeccable sounds and songs from the 60s Songs became an integral piece, bringing words, dance, laughter, and memories to me.

Margie, Jane, and I attended live musical shows. We familiarized ourselves with the soundtrack beforehand and knew the entire score before seeing some of our favorite musicals like The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, The Music Man, Guys and Dolls, and The Unsinkable Molly Brown.

Little did I know, music would continue to connect me with my beloved sisters. Margie, Jane, and I formed our own collection of albums. Margie more of a folk gal with James Taylor and Stephen Stills. Earth, Wind, and Fire and KC and the Sunshine Band are included in Jane’s array of albums. For me, an eclectic assortment of rock and folk. Decades later, I learned Margie and Jane were Carole King fans and owned the Tapestry album. We plastered neon name labels on top of the album to ensure not losing our precious music.

Selecting a song to skate to for the Celebration of Sisters ice skating fundraiser to honor Margie and Jane needed careful thought. I listened to many songs. It was crucial to find the perfect piece with words that fit the theme of the event, spoke to me about my sisters, with correct tempo. I would listen to the song for months in practice, and if I didn’t feel it in my bones, not an option.

 Choosing a piece of music for a skating performance requires careful deliberation. I listened to the lyrics, the words, and their meaning. What is the song saying? What is the connection between me and my sisters? How does this match the theme of Celebration of Sisters? Another angle I chose in the selection process were songs that resonated with Margie and Jane.

Some selections throughout the years of the event included: Downtown with visions of Margie playing on her guitar. Carole King’s Beautiful reflecting Margie and Jane. The three of us saw Judy Collins in concert. Both Sides Now became a selection. Edelweiss from The Sound of Music, one of our favorite musicals. My favorite, and the truest meaning of how I feel about Margie and Jane, I Will Always Love You.

The opening group number to Celebration of Sisters is Over the Rainbow, and ends with Up, Up and Away, a sea of balloons floating when skaters float across the ice.

“Love is waiting there in my beautiful balloon
Way up in the air in my beautiful balloon
If you’ll hold my hand, we’ll chase your dream across the sky
For we can fly (we can fly).”

The latest piece I am performing in 2026, which will be my grand finale, is Somewhere Out There, a tribute to my beloved sisters Margie and Jane. My skating coach choreographed a beautiful piece, and when I skate to the beautiful lyrics, I hope I can keep my composure and not cry through the performance.

“Somewhere out there, if love can see us through
Then we’ll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true.”

What role does music play in your life? I hope for a shared feeling of lightness. Do you have a favorite song or one with a special meaning?
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*Alberhasky, M, Durkee, P. (2024). Songs tell a story: The Arc of narrative for music. PLOS ONE. https://dol.org.10.1371/journal.pone.0303188, Research article.