Francis Garcia | Week 12: Please Don't Stop the Music


Photo Credit: House of Marley

I love how Rihanna came to mind when you first clicked on the eye to read this blog post, but this isn’t just about her.

Every day when I walk to and from school, I always blast music in my ears through my AirPods. Some days I want to listen to some Kali Uchis and Tyler, the Creator for a somewhat quieter walk amidst the traffic I witness pile up on the roads (actually, I regret not getting into Tyler earlier and in time for the Chromakopia Tour…). Other times I empower my ears with more deep house beats like a few songs from Beyoncé’s Renaissance album that I can sync my strut with to get to where I need to go (“HEATED,” I love you).

Funny how on the days I start with some soft RnB music, I’m a bit chill and easygoing for the day; on the days I start with more empowering music that allows me to channel the version of me from the Fine Arts Fair runway last year, however, I feel more charismatic and confident (speaking of which, now would be a good time to urge you readers to sign up for Fashion Show and Dance Expo for Fine Arts Fair this year!).

…Just how powerful is music over the human mind and the day an individual experiences?

The beautiful thing about music is that music has the power to influence mood and perceptions, which impacts the overall human experience. It has been observed as an integral aspect of all civilizations that have walked this earth. It’s through everyone’s diverse relationships with music that a more diverse pool of experiences are formed, which are passed down through many generations.

Music has a seemingly magical way of impacting our moods. It may lead to a release of dopamine into our system as a means of mirroring the exuberance of the song we listen to or finding catharsis in music that we find relatable. Other times, the human body can release prolactin while listening to more negative music amidst undesirable circumstances. It can energize us when we are exhausted or put us at peace after a long day.

Whether you are listening to “Summertime Sadness” by Lana Del Rey and “Try Again” by Jaehyun after a loss of a close someone in some way, “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar and “Level Up” by Ciara to get the energy going before a big game, or “II HANDS II HEAVEN” by Beyoncé or “Godspeed” by Frank Ocean for some nostalgia, music has the power to make or break a moment in the human experience.

Now.

Please don’t stop the music (music, music…)!

Comments

  1. Durga KurupathMarch 3, 2025 at 3:14 PM

    Hey Francis! I love this topic so much! I'm such a music addict too but my problem is that my music taste is at war with itself. I literally can't stick to one genre, so even if I might appreciate some cute jazz music here and there, I have to also show some love to my screamo music too. However, it's insane how much music influences us just like you said. It also determines the state of a person and how they continue to carry themselves because let's be realistic, no one really listens to the most happiest lucky-go songs when they feel depressed and their dog died. It's seen as an adjustment and personalization to the user. For me, music is a way of life because its ability to relate and express holds so much power on the listeners and can even weave into their interpersonal lives. Music holds stories but it also carries rhythms which our ancestors and all species use to entertain themselves. If we look at it from that perspective, it's for sure a gift to human kind. Overall, I am so thrilled you delved into this! Keep it up!

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  2. NishithaMarch 4, 2025 at 9:10 AM

    Hi Francis! I loved the writing style of your blog, and I thought it had such a rhythmic flow to it (which is timely, because you’re discussing music)! Your blog was an immensely compelling read for me because I think about this topic often, and I think it’s honestly incredible how music can either alter our moods or complement them, depending on what we end up listening to. You very effectively blended personal anecdotes with other observations about how music affects people in general, and that was definitely one of the things that made your blog extremely fascinating to read. The way you described how music can affect your daily moods is incredibly relatable, and I think that everyone has that feeling of syncing their energy to a song’s vibe, whether that’s a chill RnB track or an empowering album. I also really enjoyed your discussion of how music can impact us psychologically–like the release of dopamine or prolactin–and I can definitely tell that you have a passion for psychology! Overall, your writing was incredibly engaging, and I look forward to reading your blogs in the future!

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