What would life be like without music? It’s arguably the highest form of human expression that exists. From the time I started taking piano lessons during the summer before I started kindergarten, I’ve always considered myself to be a musician. Reading music came before reading words, which seemed to be a source of pride for my “play by ear” dad. Tunes continually run through my brain, like a movie soundtrack.
I know I’m not alone.
One of the nicest people with whom I’ve ever worked shared an office with me. Her loving heart and clever wit made her a great companion. We once realized we had something in common: a random tune would be running through our heads when we woke up to start each day. The great thing about this phenomenon was that the tunes were often ones we hadn’t thought of in ages. How and why does the subconscious mind deliver these tunes to the conscious mind? It’s a favorite mystery that never ceases to delight me. “What’s your song today?” Lynn and I would ask each other. I loved our daily game.
A SONGWRITER IS BORN
I guess then it would come as no surprise that “I Knew Men” is full of music. For my story I wrote seven songs and came up with five additional titles, some containing a line or two. Of the seven songs with lyrics, only three of them have tunes that came into my head to go with the words. The other songs have lyrics, but no music — yet. How fun would it be if someone reading my novel heard music to accompany the words?
Is my Elton John out there waiting to tunesmith for my Bernie Taupin? Such an exciting thing to think about!