Student Blog: Thank You For The Music

The song “Thank You For The Music” from the hit musical, Mamma Mia showcases how powerful a simple melody can be. Music is a part of everybody's life. It is used during celebrations, as background noise, and even as an outlet to let out your raw feelings. This timeless song illustrates the joy and appreciation music holds. “Without a song or a dance what are we?”

The sound of a guitar is a sign of comfort. A mellow strum makes me feel as if my dad is sitting right next to me. My dad’s callused fingers are filled with an infinite amount of memories. Get-togethers filled with family and friends, summer barbecues as we sit by the fire pit roasting marshmallows, and week-nights on the couch watching our favorite sitcoms and childhood shows have been filled with his personal twists on his favorite songs. The melodies my dad plays have become the playlist of my home.

Growing up, my dad made it his priority to come to every performance I have been in no matter how small or terrible it was. Even if I failed miserably his claps and cheers were the loudest. The words “YAY JJ!” always rolled off of his tongue during my bow. The first time my dad missed a performance was when I was in 11th grade due to a mandatory work trip. After he received a video of the performance, he made sure that he showed all of his colleagues. Even though I didn’t hear the usual “YAY JJ!” bounce off the walls of the auditorium, I felt it in my heart.

I grew up sandwiched between two sports-loving brothers. As the only girl, the way me and my dad connect is through music. Music is our thing, we send each other articles about the newest upcoming artists and show each other our favorite songs. So many songs remind me of my dad, but one, in particular, is the Mamma Mia version of “Thank You For The Music”. The song begins with Sophie's dad Harry singing a beautiful song about how music can mean so much to an individual. Sophie joins in as she begins to tell her own story of the impact music has had on her.

Every time I listen to this song, my mind goes immediately to my dad. He taught me how music can impact someone's life. All of my favorite memories with him are accompanied with background music. From watching him grill hamburgers and hot dogs on a warm summer evening while Billy Joel fills the backyard, to hour-long car rides as we sing to the Original Broadway Soundtrack of Rent, I feel each note and key change tie us together. Dad, “thank you for the music, for giving it to me”.