That One Song That Hits Different… Why Though?
Ever listened to “Tere Bina Zindagi Se” on a rainy day and suddenly felt a lump in your throat? Or maybe “Aaluma Doluma” gave you that inexplicable boost of energy before stepping onto a stage or walking into an exam? You’re not alone, and you’re definitely not imagining it. Music doesn’t just sit in the background; it sneaks in, settles into our brain, and stirs up all kinds of emotions without asking for permission.
But why does this happen? Is it just nostalgia? Or is there a deeper psychological magic at play?
Your Brain’s Jam Session
Here’s the thing—music taps into the brain’s limbic system, which is like mission control for your emotions. When you hear a melody, especially one you’ve connected with before, your brain lights up like a Diwali street. Dopamine—the feel-good chemical—gets released, your heartbeat might sync to the rhythm, and suddenly, you’re in a whole different emotional zone.
Even tempo matters. Fast beats? Alertness. Slow ones? Calm or even sadness. It’s no accident that lullabies are gentle and club anthems are pounding. Your body feels music.
Music Is a Mood Mirror (Or a Mood Changer)
Here’s something wild: you tend to choose music that reflects your current mood, but the same music can also change it. Sounds confusing? Let me explain.
You know those moments when you’re sad, and you just want to listen to something melancholic like “Channa Mereya” on loop? It’s like emotional validation. But over time, that same song helps you process the feeling and gradually shift to something more neutral. That’s why therapists even use music in mental health practices. It helps people express, understand, or simply sit with their emotions.
Different Notes, Different Folks
We all have that one friend who swears by AR Rahman’s orchestral magic, while another only blasts Prateek Kuhad during late-night drives. Our music choices aren’t just preferences—they reflect personality, culture, age, and sometimes, emotional needs.
- Extroverts? Usually go for upbeat, danceable music
- Introverts? Lean toward complex, mellow sounds
- Gen Z? They love a mood switch—one minute it’s lo-fi chill, next it’s indie rock or Tamil rap
Even the lyrics matter. Sad lyrics over happy beats (think “Kabira”) create emotional layers that can feel oddly comforting. It’s like eating sweet and spicy chutney together—confusing, but it works.
How Musicians Channel This Power
Professional musicians (or even serious hobbyists) often create music intentionally to stir emotions. Whether it’s heartbreak, triumph, nostalgia, or straight-up rage, it’s all by design. That minor chord progression? It wasn’t random.
At Iktaraa, India’s best online music learning platform, students don’t just learn how to play music—they understand how to feel through it. Teachers personalize their approach, helping learners translate emotion into sound. It’s the kind of place where your heartbreak turns into a raga, or your joy into a jazz riff. Honestly, that kind of emotional translation is as therapeutic as journaling, maybe more.
Music in Daily Life: It’s Everywhere (Even When You Don’t Notice)
Think about it. Ads use jingles for brand recall. Movie background scores (shoutout to Anirudh or Ilaiyaraaja) guide your emotions scene-by-scene. Even gyms curate playlists to keep you moving.
Ever wondered why romantic scenes often have a soft violin or piano in the background? It’s not just for aesthetic—your brain associates those sounds with tenderness and calm. The music nudges your emotional response subtly, like a friend who gives you a reassuring nod.
Music as Memory’s Time Machine
One of the most powerful things music does is trigger memory. You hear a song and you’re instantly back in your school farewell, a bus ride to college, or that one summer trip. That’s because music encodes memory differently than regular data. It doesn’t just record events—it stores feelings, smells, visuals.
This is also why music is being used with Alzheimer’s patients to help them reconnect with lost memories. Amazing, right?
Make Music a Daily Ritual (Not Just a Playlist)
You don’t need to be a musician to use music emotionally. Just being intentional with what you listen to can change your mood or productivity.
- Woke up anxious? Try instrumental Carnatic or Hindustani classical
- Need focus? Lo-fi beats or jazz
- Feeling stuck? Maybe an energetic “Thani Vazhi” or something with tempo and bounce
- Romantic dinner? Kishore Kumar or Arijit Singh
And if you do want to go beyond listening—maybe start making music? Buy music instruments and gear online | best price at iktaraa. hether it’s your first keyboard or a shiny new ukulele, your emotional expression deserves the right tool.
Wrap-Up: You Feel, Therefore You Play
Music is emotion’s loudspeaker. Whether you’re listening or creating, it gives your feelings a shape, a sound, a rhythm.
And if you’re ready to turn all that bottled-up emotion into something powerful—a song, a beat, a performance—you know where to start. Iktaraa’s got the teachers, the stage, the tribe. Learn. Teach. Connect. Express.
Because, honestly, music isn’t just what we hear. It’s what we feel.
