Music, at its essence, is what gives us memories. And the longer a song has existed in our lives, the more memories we have of it.
– Stevie Wonder
If I had to count the number of times music has helped me get through less-than-ideal moments in life, I would need a gazillion fingers and a time machine. Superficially, we all know that music has the astounding ability to evoke a wide array of powerful emotions within us, and one such emotion is nostalgia. All of us have experienced nostalgia at some point in our lives – the longing or sentimental yearning or feeling for the past – but whether it is bittersweet or melancholic depends on the person and their experiences. From time to time, certain songs or pieces of music may trigger vivid memories and transport us back to a particular period or place. A song associated with your first love, first heartbreak, a cross-country road trip, or something your mum and dad used to play at home – does any of this sound familiar? Well, in this blog post, we will be exploring that very connection between music and nostalgia and also attempt to explain why music has such a strong grip on our memories and emotions.
Now, contrary to popular belief, the concept of “nostalgia” has existed for centuries. It is even more interesting to note that the word “nostalgia” originates from two Greek words, “nostos” and “algos,” which mean “return” and “pain,” respectively. This makes sense because initially, nostalgia was thought to be a disease or medical condition, and it was linked to homesickness. But in the present day and age, we know nostalgia is not an ailment but a natural human emotion which can be triggered in so many ways – one of the most sure-fire triggers being music.
Now why is music so “nostalgic” to us human beings? Quick hint – it has something to do with our memories. Our brains have this innate ability to associate music with specific memories and emotions, and according to several leading research studies, it has been shown that music can activate the same regions of the brain that are involved in emotional and memory-based information processing. Scientists have also been able to prove that music “activates the entire brain,” which is super cool when you think about it.
Another reason why music is so effective in initiating nostalgia is that certain songs often tend to be linked to significant life events, all thanks to our limbic system (the system that stores all your fears and emotions). For many people, a favourite song may remind them, for example, of their first love or a special moment in their lives. Since these moments have a heavy significance in our lives owing to “high emotional intensity,” the music essentially gets intertwined like many other things (the color of your partner’s dress, the smile they wore, and so on), creating a powerful connection between the two. Consequently, music is known to create a sense of comfort and familiarity. Many people find that listening to music from their childhood or teenage years provides them with an “auditory haven,” a way for them to return back to simpler, carefree times. The reason for this sentiment is that the music we listened to during our yester-years becomes a part of our identity and shapes our perceptions of the world around us. So, if we hear the same exact song years later, it brings back those lived-through memories from our subconscious mind to the forefront.
It is also interesting to note that the relationship between music and nostalgia can be different for different people. While some people find that certain songs or pieces of music strongly trigger their nostalgia, the same may not be applicable to another individual, thus forming a degree of contextuality. Our memories, experiences, and emotions are unique to us, and that plays a massive role in the feelings certain songs may bring into our psyche.
Now, so far, we have been talking about music-linked nostalgia on an individual level but how can we take this to a broader scale? As of late, you may have noticed that many movies and TV shows use classical hits to create a sense of nostalgia and transport viewers back in time. Let me take two very memorable movies that use this trope to their advantage – “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Baby Driver.” For those of you who have watched these movies, you know very well the significance of music in them. Whether it be Star Lord’s Walkman or Baby’s iPod; the movies truly would not be the same without them. Additionally, the inclusion of these wistful songs creates a sense of nostalgia on a larger scale as audiences who have grown up with these specific songs will most likely connect on an emotional level.
To put everything in a nutshell, the relationship between music and nostalgia is complex and multifaceted. Music has the power to evoke powerful emotions and transport us back in time, reminding us of significant life events and creating a sense of familiarity and comfort. While the way we respond to music is unique to each individual, there is no doubt that it plays a very significant role in our lives.
Questions:
- What is a song that reminds you of your childhood? Was it a song you came across yourself, or was it recommended by someone else?
- How do you think the use of music in movies and TV shows contributes to our collective sense of nostalgia? Can you think of any examples of movies or shows that use music in this way?
- In what ways do you think music can be used to help us process and cope with difficult emotions like nostalgia and grief? Have you ever used music in this way, and if so, how did it help you?
