I remember writing one time here on how much music can stimulate the senses into living moments in the past because music is soul food and the soul is spiritual. Music is a great way to travel back in time. Ever had a moment where you heard a song and a certain memory pops up in your mind? Some people even have the experience of remembering the smell and the environment around them when they were engaged in that song. I have a few songs that reminds me of lots of things. I have a song for every moment in my life and sometimes I could forget all about a memory only for that song to bring it all back.
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The question is if it is possible to actually travel back in time and experience all things I am saying. If it has happened to me, then I am sure it has happened to many others. I have deliberately shut myself in my room and listened to a flourish of songs that brought back memories so vivid, I remembered what it was like to be there. It was like going into my own head.
Of course, in a world where there is a scientific cause for all things, researchers have gone into finding the answer as to why music can provoke such reaction from the brain. There have been articles as to how smell and music are the major triggers for memory.
A peculiar case is Carol Howard, a marine biologist who died in 2019 after a relentless struggle with Alzheimer’s. Why music causes memories to flood back written by Marlene Cimons in The Washington Post recounts how Carol would remember lyrics to songs but not the face of her husband. Carol’s husband, Joel Shurkin recollects in his publication The Human Toll of Alzheimer’s how much he had to go through with his wife and her case of Alzheimer’s but he also recounts her last moment in the present and what music had to do with it.
Now, music is a major trigger for the brain. However, to me, music is just the doorway to letting these things happen. Sally Fletcher, a harpist/pianist explains in terms that are more scientific on LinkedIn where she shares, and I quote:
This means that when you listen to certain music related to your past, your brain is stimulated which brings about the remembrance of smells which does the job of immersing you in that memory and even altering your mood. If you are a fictional writer, you will understand the importance of being able to describe smells. Why? It is important if you want to your readers to sink into a world that is totally different yet similar to this one called reality. That is because they can ‘smell’ your characters, your settings and even the ‘bullshit’.
I have a few songs that does that for me. One is Jerusalema by Master KG ft. Nomcebo Zikode and BurnaBoy. I can remember vividly jogging under cloudy skies and even in the rain towards the gym where I spend a minimum of an hour daily. This was in my former neighborhood. The smell of wet ground and sweaty bodies is the most graphic when I listen to that song.
Another is Ole Buruku by P-square. This conjures memories of sadness for me because I always remember the bright and lively Jennifer, resting with the Lord now, who was my neighbor then. That song brings back the memories of food sharing between her and me, the pungent smell from changing her baby brother’s nappy and the smell of our bathroom.
While I point towards the memories music and smells can conjure, I will also point out that it is possible to travel into the future too. Does this sound impossible? Maybe but it is in fact possible. Music has the ability to throw us into the past and into the future. Although, this aspect of time travel requires what is known ‘faith’ and delving into your subconscious, music can play a huge part in bringing your future to life.
Of course, all this I write from experiences of both mine and some other cases read from books and articles. I will use the memorable. While Jerusalema transports me to my past using the power of smells, it also played a huge part in making the future I live now. Let me explain…
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Back when I would jog to the gym, with this song blasting in my ears [I had just begun my journey on Hive then], it was on repeat because I used it to create a future I wanted. I would ‘see’ myself moving out of the degenerated neighborhood, buying a better phone, and making it in business. I saw this image constantly and consistently to the point it became what I thought about first thing in the morning and last before bed. By the time it started to happen, it felt like Déjà vu. I have no idea if any of my readers encounter such experiences but I have and I still do.
In summary, smells are more powerful than we think. Music is more profound than we imagine. I guess the saying ‘You are what you listen to’ can be placed side by side to ‘You are what you think’.
This is my response to the Hive Naija Prompt || Edition 45. You can find amazing topics to write about. Start now by clicking the link above.
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Food for thought. I do love my music and there are plenty of memories for me, possibly because to me I prefer music I grew up with. Smells though, now that is a new one to me. Now I am going to be thinking whenever I smell something.
Hehehehehe. I also prefer musics I grew up with. But I sometimes find it puzzling that I made no memories with those songs. Could it be I was too young then? I don’t know. Try smelling ice cream and meet me in the DM 🤣🤣🤣
Indeed, music stimulate thw system
However, I feel it's also a personal stuff, cos there are those who do not find pleasure in music
However, for me, music is more like life itself
True. It’s based on experiences and preferences
Thank you 🙏🏾
Delightful!
What a great post about sensory time travel! I can definitely relate.
I've been in middle of writing a blog post with the same elements for the last three days. It's interesting to find that there are others on Hive that have the exact same thoughts as me about music, scents related to memories and time travel. Btw. reading a long-forgotten book can also revive memories that happened around reading the book, sounds, smells, seasons and other memories related to the time when you read it.
I'm almost 48 years old now, and I started the trip through the memory lane not only to try to recall things for myself, but also for posterity's sake. I've got kids, and I think they might be interested to know about things in my past. I will be employing these methods (music, smells and books) to recover memories, so it'll probably take a while to write down everything. But I'll make it happen.
Take care, Cheers!
Now that you mentioned it, I vaguely remember that a book did that to me. However, there was also a time [still happens] when I would recall vivid images from a book I read while listening to a particular song that I almost mistook it for a movie. Listening to those songs even today take me back to that very scene in whatever book I was reading and the same emotions I felt then, the environment where I read that book. It all comes flooding.
I have also thought that my kids would want to know about me from the past. I don't know if it is possible to bring back all memories in regards to music. What I am sure of is that you will recover the most significant of those memories.
Thank you for stopping by!
This is a great post and I must agree that there are certain songs you will listen to, it will take you back in time like a soul travel. Music is powerful, that's why both the spirituals and underworlds do not play with it.
#dreemerforlife
Yeah. Music is powerful. Thank you 😊
food for our taughts and sometimes we can relate through words and the meaning.
If that is your interpretation.,..
What you hear (or listen to) sinks to the subconscious and becomes an 'unconscious thought'... so you are right you are right about "you are what you listen to" being placed side by side with "you are what you think".
All in all, I enjoyed your post.
#dreemerforlife
Thank you. Indeed the subconscious takes whatever you give it. This is a power that many of us haven’t harnessed yet. And when we do, our lives will change for the better
First, this is a great post. Needs more accolades.
I'm exactly this way with music, smells, and even movies. When I recall a series I watched during a down moment, everything comes crashing like I'm reliving the moment all over again.
And smell, they catapult me. I think our sense and time cannot be divorced. well done.
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Smell and time… two things that have great impact. Thank you so much for your warm comment ❤️
Some songs takes me to my past also. May activities may coincidentally be taking place while I listen to a song for the first time or joining music lovers to listen to reigning song. Years later, that particular song would be directly attached to that experience. Whenever I remember the song, I remember the activity that took place.
#dreemerforlife
That is the joy of music. In fact… right now, I’m listening to a song that I did when reading a particular novel and the song has brought back the scenes from chapters in that novel
You that one jerusalema it was basically on repeat, i knew both the English and original version😄
Oh my! Well i think you didn't add up when the late Mohad said "music no need permission to enter your spirit"..hahaha..
That's literally the summary of your post❤
#dreemerforlife
Thank you 😊
Lovely post, D :-) Music always transports me back and forth in time as I page through memories. I use it to inspire creativity too! When I am stuck for writing ideas or need a fresh angle for part of a story I am busy writing, I listen to music. I choose songs that remind me of my central theme and just sit back and listen. Often a line from a song will leap out at me and shape the rest of my story. So great to see you sharing in Dreemport. Love you!
#dreemerforlife
That is it!!! The story “Staged” that I shared in Inkwell was inspired by a series of event which I told you but the music which I wrote it too was a powerful force. Für Elise by Ludwig van Beethoven catapulted me to a different realm entirely where I felt, saw and even thought like Elise. The power of music… it’s fascinating ❤️
Love Für Elise! And yes.... Shakespeare was right... "if music be the food of love, play on" - I think it is a window to our soul.
I agree with you that music stimulates the brain. I have listened to lots of songs that took me back memory lane, remembering the scenes being played during that time, remembering how my neighbourhood was and the people I lived with. Many times, listening to music would make me feel sad and other times, feel happy for how things turned.
Same with thinking about the future, I can reminisce on how my life would be through music and I can see how powerful songs can be to us.
You get the gist sister!!! You really do! My moods can do a huge flip depending on the song I’m listening to and the story it carries. Plus, I can craft my future using the music I’m listening to. Thank you so much for dropping by
Absolutely correct 👍
You are welcome.