“There is a chance, we can make it so far. We start believing now that we can be who we are.”– Grease (by Bee Gees)
By Jack Bernard
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. | My Dad was a hard-working immigrant who was multilingual. He worked in factories in New York, Georgia and Puerto Rico his entire life until his retirement. The New York factories employed mostly Puerto Ricans.
At home, he would play records in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Yiddish. As a child, I grew to appreciate a wide range of music. So did my brothers, two of whom became successful professional musicians, one in Georgia and another in Los Angeles.
Musically, I had simply no talent when it came to instruments… although I sang exceptionally well (in the shower). At least I always thought so. But I loved to listen and to dance. I still get a lot out of both.
I enjoy melodies, but also the words. When I was growing up, I really disliked Bob Dylan’s voice. But for a ‘60s kid trying to figure out his place in the world, Dylan’s words were moving. Who can forget- “Come mothers and fathers; throughout the land; and don’t criticize what you can’t understand; your sons and your daughters; are beyond your command.”
Even Disco, which I still love for the sound, can impart wisdom. That is why I used the above quote that Barry Gibb wrote. The song “Grease” is a dance tune, like all Disco (“you should be dancing, yeah!”). But this one phrase can be deep. It inspires the listener to reach their full potential.
As for dancing, my Italian mother was a great dancer who taught me to slow dance when I was a little kid. But it was when I became a teenager that I really fell in love with it. I could fast dance with the best of them; it is a release of energy for me.
I go to many primarily black social events where I am one of the few white men dancing. And I am usually dancing with women who are younger and in much better shape than I am. Folks sometimes comment that I have more soul than most of the guys there. I had one black friend jokingly say that I was trying to be black. But that is not it; not at all. I am just being me, enjoying myself. It is called soul music for a very good reason. My “inner me” comes out naturally when I am on that floor.
As I have gotten older, I have also become more accepting of types of music that I ignored in my youth. In my old age, I love Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and lots of newer country artists (like Beyonce). I even listen to Benny Goodman and other swing musicians.
Better yet, music and dancing are a great exercise for both your body and mind. It reduces stress while getting you off the couch. As the AARP states: “Engaging in music has the powerful potential to support brain health” as we get older. For more on this topic, explore research from the Global Council on Brain Health.
As Plato said long ago: “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.”
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