Has anyone noticed that the youth of today spend a ton of time with earbuds in and not much else happening between the ears????

It has been my experience that what you listen to often determines your state of mind, emotion and in most cases reflects your character and personality.  I am very scared for the youth of America....

I took my son and several of my friends to see the Broadway production of Phantom of the Opera.  The tour was in LA and one of my high school friends is in charge of the wardrobes for the cast.  It was a great opportunity not only to get to see a wonderful production, but to see what goes on behind the scenes... this was my second time seeing Phantom, the first was with the original Phantom, Michael Crawford in 1991. 

With regards to music... this was the first time my son had ever been to a play/musical on stage.  At first he was a little lost, but he asked questions during the intermission and by the end of the production was completely "into" the story.  He was also impressed by the music and the way the orchestra pit was organized and how small it was for the amount of sound that came out of it.  He also commented on the quality of the voices and how they fit the characters...

This may not seem amazing except that he is 14 and male.... LOL! 

Before the prelude was over and the production began, I was in tears... it has been a long time since I had been to the theatre and I hadn't realized how much I had missed it... If you haven't been to a production, try to get one in this year.... there are many good ones touring the country, you won't be disappointed. 

Wow kmndsgn,

REO Speedwagon can just take me straight back into the 80's!  Thanks for the memories.  I bought their CD and got teased mercifully by my family for still listening to them.....LOL.  They cannot detour me however, and The Queen of Hearts by Juice Newton---LOVE IT!  You can't listen to that song and not be happy.

I LOVE COUNTRY also and in the 90's went to many concerts, George Straight is also a favorite of mine.

I should have been a cowgirl, Tonka

The first musical I saw on the big screen was “GREASE”. I had a huge crush on Olivia Newton-John. When she wore that leather outfit, wished I was Danny Zuko…one lucky guy! In music class, the song Grease Lightening was popular too. The teacher had to skip the “S” word…not an easy trick on a vinyl record. LOL

The 70’s & 80’s songs were very popular for me growing up. Even now, I’ll turn Music Choice on and go back in time.

Here’s a list of a few of my favorite songs:

“Keep on Loving You” – Reo Speedwagon

“Baker Street”, “Right Down the Line” – Gerry Rafferty (Love his City to City album!)

“Without You” – Harry Nilsson

“Tainted Love/Where did our Love go” – Soft Cell

“It’s so easy”, “Poor Poor Pitiful Me”, “You’re No Good” – Linda Ronstadt

“Somebody’s Knockin” – Terri Gibbs

“Jose Cuervo” – Shelly West

“Queen of Hearts” – Juice Newton

I had gone country in the early 90’s. It’s still my first choice because they tell a story and always touch my heart…songs like “Jesus take the wheel”, “Should have been a cowboy”, “Friends in low places”, “500 miles away from home”, “I love a rainy night” and the list goes on…

Tonka – That’s too funny…I have Helen Reddy’s album in my collection!

Every now and again, I’ll play my 45’s and listen to the oldies too.

Childhood was "Oaklahoma!"  from the movie and Helen Reddy's "I am Woman, here me roar", my Mom had this album & would sing it.  Wow through high school was many, the 80s oh yeah!  I listened to the Ramones, Blondie, and AC/DC, and Motley Crue.  I love 70s songs and one of my favorites is "Sister Golden Hair" and I also love Neil Diamond and oh yeah, I can't forget Tony Orlando & Dawn, and then I also went through The Bay City Roller days....S A T U R D A Y.....NIGHT!  I am a huge fan of many different types of music, except I am not a big fan of Rap.

Tonka

What is your most favorite/memorable song from your childhood, college/early adult and now....?

I think the music is the stronger of the two.  I will use classical music to make my case.  These powerful melodies exude emotions and the intensity of the music can communicate things that words can often fail to communicate. 

I also think that the melodies often make the song, lyrics by themselves do not often bring out emotions with just the words... add music and the emotions are present immediately.  For example, poetry can be beautiful and powerful, but the level of these is usually attributed to the speaker/reader and their voice pitch and emphasis on words, in essence the melody of their speech. 

You can take simple words, add a joyful, sad, energetic, or meloncholy melody and it transforms the words into various communications. 

Which do you feel best conveys the true meaning of a song... the music or the lyrics?

Yes, Excellent song, OT... Love MercyMe....