Over the century, music has a powerful influence on human lives. One of them is the ability to evoke memories. Most of the time, the details are so clear and vivid. It feels like they only happened yesterday as if the succeeding years did not exist. The past becomes the present, the only truth we hold on to.
Strike that tune and we are on a trip down memory lane. The recollection does not only play in our heads, we relive the moment.
It was 2021. I was getting ready for work. But that day, I was putting off going. I was scrolling through Youtube when Love Story (Taylor’s version) came on my feed. Being a Swiftie, I clicked right away.
I close my eyes and the flashback starts
I’m standin’ there
But I was not on a balcony in summer air.
It was 2009. I was in front of the desktop computer, finishing homework due tomorrow. I procrastinated far too long and was suffering the consequences, “Why do I have to do it last minute?”
Love Story was playing. I was singing along Taylor – belting out every line by heart. I was trying to fight the sleep in my eyes while I type and click. “I have to finish it tonight. I have to.”
Those were the days I wish I could back to. The only things that bother me are looming deadlines, school crushes, and how to cope with the latest fashion of oversized headbands, and black eyeliners.
How I miss my teenage years! Everything is at its heavenly and dreamlike bliss. We were oblivious to the war outside our comfort zones. Innocent. Full of life. Living in our idealistic versions of reality.
I remember being weirded out by the older generations who refused to leave their musical bubble. Why do they have to listen to the same songs over and over again when there are thousands of substantial songs coming out every year?
Growing old, I begin to understand their sentiments. Who knew I would join the club and empathize with them now?
When I am old and gray, I will play Love Story on my smartphone even if the device comes into obsolescence. These are the only possessions that I hold on to, along with the memories of the best days of my life.
It’s a love story, baby, just say, “Yes”
Oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
‘Cause we were both young when I first saw you