Music is everywhere. We hear it from random cars when walking down the street, our favorite movies, and even those phone calls where they play the annoying on-hold music for what seems like hours. Music has a daily impact on us all and it has the power to change our mood. Music is therapy for some of us because of the mental effect it has. While some may argue music is just noise; to these Holy Family University students, music is more than just background noise to them.

Meghan Wisler, class of 2025 is a psychology major who minors in childhood studies, mental health services, and sociology. Lots of specialties. Meghan believes One Direction has had the greatest impact on her. What she says about it will bring us all nostalgia! “I think One Direction has probably had the greatest impact on me because they were the first concert I ever went to. Going to see them was the start of my love for concerts.” I believe many of us have a special connection to the first person we saw in concert. Meghan also spoke about which music artist she believed has positively affected the world. Meghan said, “I think Elton John has really had a positive impact on the world through the work he does for HIV and AIDS prevention, along with his philanthropy and his advocacy.” Personally, I did not know this! We might all have to give Elton John a deeper listen. Meghan taps into our brains a bit when she speaks on music and mental health.“I do think music can have effects on our mental health.” A BBC News piece states that Music releases a chemical in the brain that has a key role in setting good moods.

Connor Barclay, class of 2025 is a Secondary Education English major. Connor’s favorite genre of music he listens to when he wants a boost of adrenaline to no surprise, is “Rock all the way!” Who doesn’t throw on a headbanging song when they want to get hype? According to Harvard University Music has been shown to activate some of the broadest and most diverse networks of the brain. Connor also spoke about his comfort song at the moment. He exclaimed, “One of my biggest comfort songs is Perfect Day by Lou Reed. It’s my go-to whenever I have something on my mind.” Maybe we could use these answers sometime and add them to our playlist. Lastly, Connor talked about the artist he listened to when he was younger that was different from now, “I would listen to Queen over and over again in middle school when going into high school. It got old quick, I kind of ruined it for myself.” I think we’ve all overplayed someone before, nevertheless, Queen is a great pick. For me personally, I overplayed Justin Bieber as a kid and now I love rock music.

This semester we should all make it a goal to delve into new genres of music we haven’t touched, new songs we haven’t heard, or even turn on some old beats for nostalgia. Remember when times get stressful, music always has our backs. Whether it’s to get hyped, nostalgic, emotional, calm, or even find something we can relate to; we can always play a tune.

Cecily Sullivan class of 2025 is a Secondary English-Education major at Holy Family University. Her passions include reading, writing, and music. She loves attending concerts, Halloween season, and visiting arboretums.