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Rediscovering Music in a Digital Age
In the warm embrace of Southern California sunlight, I find myself at six years old, performing my own rendition of “Dance: Ten; Looks: Three” from A Chorus Line. It’s amusing how, at that age, I was blissfully unaware of the song’s deeper themes. Yet, the music and the show’s essence, filled with a blend of emotion, irony, and yearning, completely enveloped me. My mom is nearby, but I don’t need her to set the mood—I’ve got my glorious speakers blasting tunes. I’m in my own theater, both in the living room and in my imagination.
What I don’t recall from that memory is a computer screen. No glaring light or distracting notifications. I never had to wrestle with computer keys or sift through an iTunes mess to find the beautiful melodies of “What I Did for Love” or “One.” The music flowed freely, not distorted by a pitiful little speaker competing for attention with a glowing screen.
Recently, I had an explosion of nostalgia while wanting to share the song “More” from the Dick Tracy soundtrack with my child. My mom and I used to play that CD to death on long car rides, lost in our own musical world. But when I went to play it, I realized our old boombox had given up the ghost. I wasn’t about to load it onto my computer and deal with the headache of iTunes—what a nightmare!
Before I knew it, my child had lost interest, distracted by some video on YouTube. The moment slipped away. In that instant, I felt the screen had pulled us apart, and I was determined not to let technology win this time.
“No new stereo right now,” my husband chimed in, sensing my meltdown. But I couldn’t let it go. “Yes, we are!” I insisted. We ended up with a modest CD player, but it had speakers! They were beautiful, and it felt like a little piece of magic.
Here’s the funny part: my 3-year-old is now fascinated by the whole process. She picks out a CD, opens it, and carefully places it in the player. Once it starts spinning, she watches intently as the music fills the room. It’s not just about the sound quality; it’s that she understands where the music comes from. Unlike a computer, this little machine doesn’t bombard us with distractions. It’s solely dedicated to playing music.
Since we brought the stereo home, music has become a regular part of our lives. We listen while drawing, and today we chose Charlie Parker since it was raining. Even board games are transformed with tunes from Stevie Wonder and Madonna—it’s amazing how much more enjoyable Candyland can be with a soundtrack!
This morning, we finally played the entire Dick Tracy album, slow songs included. I got to share “More” with my little one, and we both reveled in its playful lyrics about wanting more out of life.
And that’s the magic of our stereo: when we listen without the distraction of a screen, it opens up a world of imagination. There’s so much more to explore beyond what we see, enticing us with a longing for the unknown. That’s the beauty of music—it invites us to dream without being obstructed by a digital world.
In the end, we spent about $50 on our new stereo, but the joy it brought us is priceless. Sometimes, more really is better!
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Summary: This blog post reflects on the nostalgia and joy of sharing music with a child through a new stereo, emphasizing the power of music in creating memorable experiences without the distractions of technology. The writer highlights the engagement and excitement of their child when interacting with physical media, contrasting it with the often overwhelming digital world.