The life of a modern person is primarily based on scientific facts and is gradually losing connection with the invisible world of inexplicable things. Every day, people’s attention is more and more captivated by technology and scandals in the media. In my opinion, music presents one of the strongest means that allows people an opportunity to reconnect with the real world. Music in modern society is often perceived as an element of the entertainment sphere; for some, music has become a professional field of activity that brings significant profits. However, in ancient cultures, music had the power to connect people’s souls with nature, the spirits of ancestors, and divine entities. It seems to me that in today’s world, people often forget about the ability of music to transform people’s minds by connecting them with the wonderful world around them.
In my experience, the line that made me reflect on life and adjust the way I think is Louis Armstrong’s line in What a Wonderful World. While many powerful, inspiring, and sentimental songs can set an individual’s emotional mood, I think this song is different from others. I know that songs can change the way a person looks at certain things or problems. However, the line “what a wonderful world” is different because it does not focus on any particular human experience (Armstrong). Moreover, the song’s lyrics describe the everyday things that the narrator sees before his eyes, making it even more unusual. Since the song is quite popular, I have heard it in many different films where it was used as a soundtrack. However, my first experience fully listening to the song’s lyrics happened when I walked around town, and the song was randomly recommended as an extension of my playlist. Despite my initial desire to switch to another song, I continued listening because it is a relatively short composition. After the song ended, I listened to it a few more times on repeat.
At first, I noticed that my mood significantly improved after listening to the song. Next, I felt that my anxieties began dissipating, soon replaced by inspiration. After returning home in the evening, I found myself looking at the evening sky in the window and thinking about what tomorrow will bring me. However, after reflecting on what happened in the afternoon, I decided not to indulge in thoughts about tomorrow. Instead, I focused on the present, where I had the opportunity to enjoy the unique colors of the sunset sky. Just like the narrator in the song, I thought to myself: “what a wonderful world” (Armstrong). Delving further into the essence of the song’s lyrics, I realized that this line encourages people to be kinder to each other and pay less attention to the negative, focusing on finding beauty in everyday things.
Since that day, I regularly listen to the song because I associate it with the feeling of comfort, warmth, and relaxation. When I listen to the song, I imagine myself sitting alone on a beach, enjoying the sunset while listening to the peaceful sounds of the ocean waves. Two groups of strangers also came to the beach to watch the sunset; occasionally, I could hear their laughter and noises from enthusiastic children accompanied by caring parental voices. The sun eventually sets below the horizon, giving way to the starry night sky.
While people can have their own different interpretations of the song, for me, it refers to the miracles of the universe. The excessive influence of scientific views and technology makes people see nature and living organisms as complicated structures, depriving them of their souls. The music allowed me to realize that despite any of my worries, the world will continue to live, similarly to the way flowers bloom in the morning. Therefore, spending time on worries and negative thoughts can be a waste of time. On the other hand, treating people well and creating pleasant memories will spread the flow of wonderful things in the world. Now, when I face problems or obstacles, I remind myself that I am just a small particle in a big world, so there are no problems that I cannot solve.
In conclusion, this essay explains how important music can be for an individual’s life. While some people perceive music as a source of entertainment, and others use it to create a certain emotional mood, music can help in defining an individual’s perception of life. Thus, my experience with the line “what a wonderful world” significantly improved my daily life and allowed me to become a better person who does not give power to negative thoughts and intentions.
Work Cited
Louis Armstrong. Lyrics to “What a Wonderful World.” Genius, 2021, Web.