The joy and necessity of teenage music obsessions

I feel kind of sad for the ones who ridicule, scoff at, minimise, and roll eyes at the musical obsessions of young people.

Have they forgotten the magic?

Of relating to an artist, genre or song in a way that holds complete space for their abstract thoughts and emotions, no matter how small or enormous they are.

Of that feeling of wonder that a complete stranger can make music that knows and speaks directly to their soul, and with that music, they feel less alone.

Of the thrill of being obsessed!

Adolescents in particular obsess by design. It’s how their brain evolves them to let go of stuff that isn’t that compelling and move them towards interests and skill development. It’s how the body seeks thrill and epic emotions which all adolescents experience. It’s how they identify. And identity seeking is inseparable to every tween and teen.

Give my child an obsession over an artist any day, rather than most of the alternatives.

Maybe these people being grumpy about the youthful joy of music never experienced the magic of it in their own lives.

But I don’t believe it really.

I don’t believe there are any humans that haven’t felt emotionally attached to some kind of music.

That haven’t felt their physical body impacted by tempo and drive and movement of rhythm.

That haven’t been caught up in a musical experience that feels beyond what words can describe.

The brain is a musical organ, it responds to rhythm, melody, intonation, tempo, frequency and vibration constantly, all day, in many ways, as a way of understanding our environment and determining our safety.

So as a species that seeks comfort and safety in music inherently for our own survival, it doesn’t seem possible any of us have never connected with music at a personal level.

Oh, the dopamine. Oh, the sense of belonging. Oh, the community and identity and permission and imagination, and emotional safety blanket our favourite musical obsession can offer us!

No wonder they become obsessed.

Watching tweens and teens be tweens and teens has made me incredibly happy!

(A nod to everyone of all ages also obsessing.)

Xxx