90% of the time, I listen to music in three different places: the bus to school, at home on my computer and while I mow the lawn. What I’ve found is that I really only like to listen during times where I can focus. On the morning bus ride, everything is quiet, and there’s nothing to do but think. It’s a perfect setting to just relax and be absorbed in what I’m listening to. Mowing the lawn, is actually one of my absolute favorite things to do during the summer, because it’s such a muscle-memory activity, that you can get completely lost in thought. So, when I do mow, it’s just totally immersive. On my computer, I might be writing or working or something, but I listen to stuff LOUD, to provide that same effect.

I’m perfectly happy with what I get out of music. I think everyone should feel that way, and be confident about it. When I see someone at school who has a single earbud in, and are simultaneously working and talking to their friends all at the same time, I need to ask, how could you possibly be actually enjoying what you’re listening to? It’s just a waste of your phone’s battery, and a part of your attention span.

I have no problem with the digital revolution that’s happened in music. I am actually a large advocate of it, but if you’re doing it like one-earbud guy, you aren’t using your powers for good. Plus, if that’s the only way someone listens to music, then you are just seriously taking it for granted.

Music is an art form. Like any other art form, a large amount of work went into creating it, and that absolutely should not be wasted. Why do you think anyone would ever want to be a musician? Why do you think Thom Yorke, a brilliant singer and songwriter, started doing what he does? It’s because these people enjoy creating the art. They like putting that work into something for other people to enjoy and appreciate.

Who knows, maybe that certain band or genre that you really don’t care for, never really got a real chance from you.

So, give this try. Try listening to an album while you are just laying in bed alone, or while you are out running or something.

I’ll end this article with a mini song of the week, and this week, it’s one of my favorite bands to listen to intently. The song is “The United States of Eurasia” by the english arena rockers, Muse. The song is really just a complete production gem, it’s composed really, really, well. While the lyrics are a little bit silly, because they’re almost entirely a homage to Orwell’s 1984, it’s still just a fun time to listen to.