If You've Ever

been moved to tears, joy, anger or another emotion because of a song you've heard on the radio, or have  been transported back in time because of a song you've heard at a wedding, a party or even in the grocery store then you already know the power of song and how important songs can be.



Music used in movies or television shows dramatically heightens the emotion the viewer feels watching the characters. Try watching a movie or television show with the sound off sometime and you'll understand what I mean. It will just be images moving on screen with facial expressions and mouths moving like overdubs in a bad foreign movie.:D

Kate receiving the door prize at our recent Writing Songs that Heal
 Songwriting Workshop: the Songcrafters Coloring Book, an arsenal of songwriting tips, written by Bill Pere

It is because music can invoke emotion that songs can be cathartic and when this emotional cleansing begins, so does healing. With any healing activity the more a call for personal self expression, the deeper the healing.

We had about twenty members at a recent  "Writing Songs that Heal" songwriting workshop. The workshop was kept  fresh and exciting with plenty of audience participation, interactive exercises and "sneak peeks" of new Purple songs as well as never-before-heard "old" versions of popular Purple songs to demonstrate the benefits how songs can change after they are constructively critiqued.

One activity that surprised me was when we played a song from a CD and I asked the class to take note of what emotions and images popped into their head as they listened.

When the song was over, suddenly the room began to debate what the meaning of the song was.(The song chosen for this exercise was Lily by Joan Baez. Click the blue link for the lyrics but basically the song is about a woman longing for answers to her best friend's past.)

I had NO idea this activity would cause such debate but was excited to see the power that song has to always communicate and sometimes invite controversy. Here's a snapshot of the  debate: (I only filmed the floor and some feet for confidentiality reasons.)

The way a song could can bring people together (or tear people apart) and ignite excitement, emotion and maybe even hope. If music has the power to do that, what else will it have the power to do?


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