Name that tune

You have to be careful with music.

Well, I have to be careful with music. It can be a mood-altering substance.

Let me explain what I mean. When I’m watching a movie or TV show and something sad is happening, I may or may not tear up. But if the background music is sad or even melancholy, I can guarantee dampness on my cheeks, even dripping onto my shirt.

The writing and acting don’t even have to be that good.

I know, it’s ridiculous. But I’ve always been that way.

It’s the combination of what’s happening on screen with the mood evoked by the soundtrack, I think. I’m already disposed to allow tears if the scene is sad or touching or if the characters are crying. Throw in the atmospheric soundtrack, and just hand me the tissue box.

It doesn’t even matter if I know what’s coming. For example, [spoiler alert] I know Boromir is going to die in The Fellowship of the Ring. I know he’s going to sacrifice himself to try to save Merry and Pippin, going out as a hero. But that doesn’t matter. Tears flow every time I see or read the scene.

Then I have to be careful when I listen to the soundtrack. If I’m paying attention and recognize the cue, I may have to blink rapidly.

There are other songs that get me, too. Taps, for example, brings tears every time I hear it. I know why it’s played. I always think about the soldiers who didn’t come home, the families with empty seats at the table. I’m thankful my family hasn’t had to work through that, but I feel for the families who have.

And then there are the songs that get the juices flowing, as the saying goes. Any time you go to a sporting event, you hear Jock Jams and pep bands. Athletes bring their headphones to listen to their favorite songs. I’ve tried to create my own play lists, but it’s a lot harder to get pumped up for a more cerebral exercise like writing than for a more physical one like sports.

I’ve got a soft spot for soundtracks, too. Anyone who has seen my music collection will tell you that. Some cues bring certain scenes to mind. The Princess Bride is one of those - I watch the movie in my head when I hear the music. And some pieces make my heart jump with joy - the main theme from Star Wars is a perfect example.

Pieces like Scheherazade rank high on my list of classical favorites. Albums like Loreena McKinnett’s The Book of Secrets, Sarah Brightman’s Dive and Andrea Bocelli’s Romanza get played a lot. In fact, I wore out copies of Dive and Romanza, listening to them over and over in my car.

I know each of us has different tastes when it comes to music, and that’s OK. We can agree to disagree and even try something new occasionally. Friends and family have suggested different artists. Some of them I didn’t care for. Others I can’t get enough of and buy pretty much everything they’ve released.

That’s the fun of music. There’s something for everyone. You just have to be careful - you don’t know what it’ll do to you.