Today’s popular music is catchy, but do you feel emotionally connected to the music? Does the music move you based on your experiences or dreams? Assuming the answer is no, it seems to me the music in our generation has drifted from focusing on authenticity to publicity. Today’s top hits are missing something special and that is soul.
The music from the past has the soul that people crave and instantly turn up on their radios a little louder. It also has a pure narration and flow that can never be mimicked. Old music has a thrill and a sweet soul, and I have experienced listening to from certain artists.
Lauryn Hill is one of my favorite artists because she has that touch with music. Hill makes you want to fall in love passionately and describes how it feels to be emotionally invested in your special someone. She is endearing with her comforting words and thoughts. Hill has impacted me personally because I have been in love and I felt everything she felt. It was fascinating how it felt like Hill was reading my mind and more. Many people feel like this with her music, especially Vanessa Bryant. When Kobe Bryant had his fatal accident, one-way Vanessa Bryant celebrated his life and her one-of-kind love for him was by posting videos of their daily life by Lauryn Hill music in the background. One song that Vanessa Bryant put for a Valentine’s Day post on Instagram was “Tell Him” in honor of her beloved husband. The lyrics go: “Tell him I need him tell him I love him, it’ll be alright, now I may have faith to make mountains fall but if I lack love then I am nothin’ at all.” These words are special, and we feel them in our hearts. That is soul.
The Temptations, who were a great vocal group, expressed soul in a charismatic and graceful way as well. Their music instantly dwells in your soul and is in the hearts and minds of many people from older generations. The Temptations were a big deal when I grew up, and this group immediately taught me what love was like. In my opinion, being able to capture feelings like this is one of the best experiences we can endure. The Temptations can be remembered in one of the greatest memories I have. Singing along to “My Girl” with my grandma on the porch and holding each other tightly. The Temptations gave me the realization that love is valuable and can never go out of style. The type of soul they created makes life taste sweeter and look much more beautiful for many years to come.
Another artist that spoke to my heart is Alicia Keys. She is a powerful icon that can truly be remembered as a passionate artist that perfected her craft and showed the world that soul has no limits. When I was young, I often would hear her for her sound but as I got older and went through certain experiences in my life, her music began aligning with my life. My emotions came alive when they were sung in a skill only Keys has. I listened to Keys so often after that, and I always tried to catch every lyric. Keys is an inspiration to my life. I’ve seen her perform and it is jaw-dropping experience. There is an energy she brings that is so serene and authentic. I feel a connection from her soul to mine. There is such a presence in her music. Any song that I have heard from Keys has a story and depth. She is fascinating and a person who definitely has soul.
So instead of listening to today’s top hits, try finding your soul in the music you listen to. It is amazing to experience this with an artist and to see it reflected in your beautiful life. Let’s bring back authenticity and support artists who have soul. Whether they are local artists or big stars just, find your soul in the music.