When the world starts to get you down
And nothing seems to go your way
And the noise of the maddening crowd
Makes you feel like you’re going to go insane
There’s a glow of a distant light
Calling you to come outside
To feel the wind on your face and your skin
And it’s here I begin my story
Turn up the radio
Turn up the radio
Don’t ask me where I wanna go
We gotta turn up the radio
Madonna
"Turn down the noise and turn up the volume," Madonna sings in "Turn Up the Radio," a song off her latest (and 12th!) album. Those words -- simple as they are -- really speak to me. So many times in my life I've turned down the noise of my life -- that chaotic buzzing of emotion and action and reaction -- by turning up the volume on my stereo. Music has always been there for me, a mix of words and beats to help me absorb whatever I'm going through. I truly believe there's a perfect song for every occasion and I've made it my personal mission to incorporate these sounds into my life (and the lives of anyone willing to accept a steady flow of mix CDs).
When I look back on the twenty-eight years I've lived, every moment, every season, every person can be represented by a song. Madonna's song "Turn Up the Radio" has reminded me just how much the simple act of turning up the radio can mean. A song can heal a heart, change a mind, capture a memory, turn a day from bad to good. A song can celebrate, captivate, and commiserate. The moment when you hear lyrics so clearly stating what you could not put into words, the moment when you connect with a song in a way that makes it impossible not to turn up the volume -- that moment makes you see just how important music can be.
When I started listening to Madonna's latest album I realized some of my earliest musical memories include Madonna songs. I recall my eight-year-old self dancing around my bedroom to "Lucky Star" and "Vogue." I remember rewinding my tapes of "Express Yourself" and "Into the Groove" again and again, vowing never to settle for second best. As I grew up, Madonna's tracks peppered my life -- dancing to "Crazy for You" at my first dance, relating to "Material Girl" during my superficial phase, feeling nostalgic for childhood with "This Used to Be My Playground," kneeling to "Like a Prayer" while singing at the top of my lungs, and banishing ex-lovers with "Sorry" and "Hung Up." Though I've never given much thought to Madonna's music or its impact on me, I realize now how much her songs have influenced me in a positive way.
Whether I was turning up a Madonna tune or listening to another one of the hundreds of artists that have impacted my life, I've always found music to be a powerful -- and positive -- force. As a celebration of music and all of the positive things it has brought to my life, I'm giving away 5 copies of Madonna's new album, MDNA. To enter to win a copy, see details below.
Win Madonna's MDNA Album!
Five winners will be randomly selected on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 and will be notified via email. Below are the various ways you can enter to win.
COMMENT TO WIN
Leave a comment below about how music
has impacted your life in a positive way.
Include your email address so we can contact you.
+1 EXTRA ENTRY
Like Positively Present on Facebook.
Add a comment here to let me know about the Like.
+1 MORE EXTRA ENTRY
Post about this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter.
Come back + comment with the link.
*please tag it with @positivepresent*
I would love this CD! And I "liked" you on facebook because I read your blog every day! I also tweeted about you! LOVE this space!
Posted by: Helen | March 28, 2012 at 11:33 AM
Music has always made me feel understood. When I listen to a song that contains my stories and my feelings, I know I am not alone. :)
Posted by: Clearly Composed | March 28, 2012 at 12:23 PM
I am so happy I stumbled upon this blog! I love it! <3 It's just what I needed.
Posted by: Isabella | March 28, 2012 at 03:46 PM
I have to say - it motivates and empowers me when I need to exercise and I think most of all - it uplifts my spirit when I am down.
Liked your post and liked your facebook ;) Will promote it on FB too. Have a great day!
Julia
Posted by: julia @ poz-art | March 28, 2012 at 05:15 PM
Madonna has always been a part of my life too! Every boy I've ever dated has a Madonna theme song to go with him. :) 'Liked' you on Facebook too! So happy to see you making your dreams come true!!
Posted by: Michelle | March 28, 2012 at 06:44 PM
I posted to Facebook!
Posted by: Gina | March 28, 2012 at 07:30 PM
I love music and how I can be transported by it. It can change my mood and make me feel differently.
Posted by: Gina | March 28, 2012 at 07:33 PM
I like you on Facebook!
Posted by: Gina | March 28, 2012 at 07:38 PM
Music has been a major part of my life mostly because of my older brother. He did choir in middle school and if he hadn't I probably wouldn't have, but I ended up doing it all through high school and ranking number one in the state for my voice part for the Senior Honors Choir. During the summer between my junior and senior year in hs was really hard... then I went to choir camp. I realized that I had been going through music withdrawal. I love it so much and not having it as an outlet had made life really tough. Now I haven't sung formally for years because of college, but I still dream of one day taking voice lessons.
And my brother still influences me lots. He will tell me bands that he discovers or thinks I will like. :)
I totally relate to the turning up the radio and down your problems too. I have 5 classes, 4 part time jobs, and 4 volunteer positions for my church. I use my time in the car listening to music as "me time" to sing and think about whatever I want.
Music allows me to express myself. It is an outlet for stress. It lets me sing and dance and live my life. At the pool all the old patrons refer to me as "the singing lifeguard". Music provides hope, inspiration, motivation and can lead to perspiration~when i use it to work out. That's why I love it.
Thanks for you happy thoughts and words. :)
Posted by: Jessie | March 28, 2012 at 11:50 PM
Her music has always been the soundtrack of my life.Her songs describe me more than anyone else's.She taught me how to be confident and brave,and that's why I love her so much.
P.S I want this album more than anything else in this world,but it's not out yet in my country.
markos086@gmail.com
Posted by: Marco | March 29, 2012 at 08:35 AM
I liked the page! :)
Posted by: Marco | March 29, 2012 at 08:37 AM
https://twitter.com/#!/MarcoMusic_/status/185345592443150337 And I've posted about this giveaway on Twitter.
Posted by: Marco | March 29, 2012 at 08:43 AM
Helen - Thanks for the like on FB!
CC - I feel the same way. It's so wonderful to connect with a song!
Isabelle - I'm happy you did too! Thanks for reading!
Julia - There's nothing like the right music to get you motivated and moving! Thanks for promoting the link!
Michelle - Thank you! I know just what you mean about Madonna's songs. There's a song for every relationship!
Gina - Thanks for spreading the word!
Jessie - That's amazing that you ranked #1! Way to go! It sounds like music has such an important role in your (very busy!) life. I'm glad you could relate to this.
Marco - It sounds like Madonna has made a big impact on you! Thanks for promoting this on FB and Twitter!
Posted by: positively present | March 29, 2012 at 09:59 AM
Posted on FB :D
Posted by: Greg M. | March 30, 2012 at 02:13 AM
Indeed Madonna's music is a soundtrack of life.
My music preferences change as i move through life, i went all the way from grunge to electronic and further on to classic...lately i really started appreciating silence...but while driving i still do love some Madonna :D
Posted by: Petra | April 02, 2012 at 04:14 AM
Also i like your FB page!
Posted by: Petra | April 02, 2012 at 04:16 AM
Music is now funding my study, as well as getting me through uni. Its definitely about the right song for the right time or moment! Also, totally liked on Facebook :)
Posted by: Kim | April 02, 2012 at 05:44 AM
Greg - Thanks!
Petra - I know just what you mean about music tastes changing. Sometimes I listen to the things I used to love and don't quite understand it. Somehow Madonna always seems to survive though and her songs still resonate with me. This new album would be great driving music!
Kim - That's awesome! It's wonderful that music is giving you a wonderful educational opportunity. Thanks for the FB like too!
Posted by: positively present | April 02, 2012 at 07:30 AM
No matter what phase of my life I happen to be in or what is going on at the present moment, I am in constant streaming of my playlists. They have been created to provide me with just the list of songs I need for the present mood I am in or wanting to get to....
I so love your blog by the way; look forward to reading it EACH day. Have created a folder of my favorites to have on hand when I have a few minutes to "unwind" and "connect".
Posted by: Dianna | April 02, 2012 at 11:10 AM
Dianna - I'm with you on the playlists. I'm constantly making new ones for my mood, current situation, etc. I love 'em! Thanks so much for reading Positively Present! It makes me so happy to hear that you enjoy it so much!
Posted by: positively present | April 02, 2012 at 02:20 PM
Music has marked the passages of my life--childhood listening to my grandmother singing, teen years with those songs that marked special times, college and such great music, and my adult life with songs that had such meaning. When I hear particular songs, I am taken back to a moment in time that I remember and connect with that song.
No need to put my name in the contest. Just wanted to describe my connection with music.
Posted by: Syd | April 03, 2012 at 07:47 AM
Syd - Great description! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on music. It's such a powerful thing and its amazing how quickly a song can bring you right back to a specific moment.
Posted by: positively present | April 03, 2012 at 08:14 AM
Music motivates me to get things done!
Posted by: Dee | April 03, 2012 at 10:03 PM