Do you recall that iconic scene from The Perks of Being a Wallflower when Charlie carefully curates a mixtape for his friend Patrick, featuring “Asleep” by The Smiths not once, but twice? If that moment ever inspired you to craft your own mixtape—only for it to be met with indifference or heartbreak—rest assured, you are not alone.
Our generation has been both blessed and burdened by the romanticisation of mixtape culture. The beauty of dedicating a song to someone is often overshadowed by the heartbreak that follows when the relationship fades, leaving that song forever tied to a lost connection. Yet, there is an undeniable charm in expressing love through music, a kind of sincerity that transcends time and memory.
The Emotional Bond of Music
Music has an uncanny ability to strengthen relationships, binding people together in unexpected ways. Consider how many times you have found yourself listening to K-pop simply because your closest friends do. Or the way a particular song, such as Sage by Ritviz, brings an uncontrollable smile to your face—because it was the very first recommendation from your best friend.
Then there are songs forever associated with shared experiences. Perhaps you cannot hear the chorus of Chaite Paro by Aurthohin without mentally inserting your friend’s voice, because the two of you spent years gleefully butchering the lyrics during impromptu sing-alongs. These moments, woven into melodies, become part of our personal histories.
Love in Every Note
Beyond friendships, music often plays a role in romantic relationships. The soundtrack of Submarine might transport you back to a time when a bespectacled gentleman shared his favourite playlist with you, marking the tentative beginnings of something deeper. Even years later, Alex Turner’s voice may still evoke a warm sense of nostalgia, bringing back memories of youthful infatuation.
Then, one day, another playlist appears—a message from someone who understands the language of music just as you do. You open it to find Falling Slowly by Glen Hansard at the top of the queue. And in that moment, you realise: it may be just a song, but it is also a confession, an unspoken sentiment wrapped in melody.
The Power of Shared Music
Sharing music is more than just a casual exchange of favourite tunes; it is a medium of affection, intention, and sometimes, even frustration. A single song can bring overwhelming joy or piercing sorrow. But despite the risk of pain, music remains a powerful way to convey love.
Whether through a carefully selected playlist, a song dedication on the radio, or simply humming a familiar tune together, music speaks where words often fail. In the end, love—like music—resonates beyond time, beyond space, and beyond the silence that sometimes separates us.