By Kyle Frazier
Round Table reporter

“And it’s times like these when we all need to hear the radio
‘Cause from the lips of some old singer
We can share the troubles we already know.”

– “Sad Songs Say So Much” by Elton John

This song, written by Bernie Taupin and Elton John, really speaks volumes about how songs can help a person through hard times.

I could name countless times when Elton John and Blind Melon have helped me feel better emotionally, or have just helped me calm down after getting rather hot headed about something.

I find it amazing how much music can change a person’s emotional state. I can go from listening to Claudio Sanchez of “Coheed and Cambria” sing of all the pain and suffering he will bring, and switch to Cat Stevens (i.e. Yusef Islam) sing of love and peace. This dramatic switch is my typical listening manner, but when I am experiencing an extreme emotion I stick with one or the other.

Sometimes, when angry, I will listen to hardcore music if I wish to sustain my temper, or sometimes I will listen to soothing song, maybe even opera, if I wish to cool down.

Its just one of the best feelings when you feel a certain way and you listen to a song and the words describe almost spot on how you feel. It makes one feel like they are not alone as many of us feel sometimes and makes them feel like someone understands them.

People have their favorite people to listen to when they feel a certain way. I personally can listen to Elton John in any mood, and with Blind Melon it just seems like they’ve hit the nail on the head with the crazy emotions teens have.

For any emotion in the world, there is most likely a song to describe what it feels like; to describe pain, shame, joy, and insanity. So, in the words of Elton John:

“Turn them on, turn them on
Turn on those sad songs
When all hope is gone
Why don’t you tune in and turn them on

They reach into your room
Just feel their gentle touch
When all hope is gone
Sad songs say so much.”