Published: December 30, 2008 12:51 am      

A light in life

Music a vital part of all of us

"Music equals life” — that is Sarah Goodrich’s motto.

It seems that in today’s society, music is widespread, and it seems to be the light of our life. Some still like artists from the past who have faded out, and others like the new aspiring artists who are just beginning their long road to success. Music has changed throughout the ages, but no matter what, it will be the light of our lives. Music changes everything, such as fashion, hairstyles, make-up styles, and the types of audiences interested.

In the 1950s, singers such as Elvis Presley were popular. The girls wore poodle skirts, oxford shoes, the men wore leather jackets, and therefore the audience began dressing the same way. “The Oldies” refers to the type of music distributed in this decade.

Kristen Moore, junior at North Marion High School, said, “It was clean lyrics that made a great story,” when asked why she believed some teenagers still like music from this time. Some of the teenagers who are interested in this type of music also like the fashion of the time, and like being distinctive from others with their musical taste.

The 1960s were a transformation from the ’50s. The music became harder-edged. Although some of the bands were still popular from the 1950s, there were also new emerging artists hitting the sales racks. The fashion changed and it attracted a new type of audience.

The 1970s were also a time for new musical tastes. The fashion became the “hippie style” and the “disco style.” Some of the popular artists in the ’70s included The Eagles, Credence Clearwater Revival, Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn. Today’s teens share the love of this music with the teenagers who grew up in the ’70s.

In the 1980s, rock music became even more popular. Music from this era attracts people of all types, including current teenagers. Some important artists, such as Cher and Madonna, evolved in this moment and have stayed popular. Others such as REO Speedwagon, Prism and Face to Face have such good luck.

Ah, the ’90s — this is a favorite of many teenagers. This was the time when most high school students were budding into young adults and like some adults, this is their favorite era. Television, movies, books and fads from the ’90s are still popular among today’s high school students.

NMHS student Kitty Dixon had this to say about what she misses the most from the ’90s.

“I miss the real Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and playing with Lite Brite,” she said as she began to laugh.

Stephanie Yost, senior at North Marion, said, “The music from the ’90s is the music I grew up with, and I really wish the Backstreet Boys would come back.”

Popular musicians in the 90s include New Kids on the Block, *NSYNC, Christina Aguliera and Backstreet Boys. Some have already disappeared from the music industry, while others continue to have a successful profession doing what they love. Others have made incredible comebacks, whether it is in music or in another form of entertainment.

Music throughout the years has changed a lot, but some of it will remain the same. New upcoming artists, trying to drive down the road of success, are becoming more and more popular each day. In this new millennium, artists from the past like Britney Spears and The Beatles are still popular today. Others such as Daughtry and Carrie Underwood are just beginning their rise to fame.

Some students still like the older music, while others more into some of the newer songs, music genres vary as well. Some students have their own unique interests, which are rare to many high school students. It seems that students today are more open — minded toward different genres of music and can accept a bit of everything, unlike those in the past, who usually clung to a certain musical interest.

All music has one purpose: to entertain us and to relate to us. We may have different tastes in music, and we may like music from different decades, but we have one thing in common, we all love music. Musical styles we listen to represent a lot about our personality. Everyone is individual in many ways, and music is one of those things that separate each of us. It also makes us alike by giving us ways to compare with each other and find things in common with those in your everyday life.

In today’s culture, it seems as if we cannot go without music for long, without feeling as if a piece of us is missing. It has a huge impact on our life, and humans without music are like cats without mice, it just would not be right.

As stated by Sarah Goodrich, senior at NMHS, “The outlook that music equals life goes well declared.”