Music has a kind of power that is difficult to explain, yet instantly understood by anyone who has ever felt deeply connected to a song. It can pull emotions to the surface without warning, bring back memories you did not even realize were still there, and transport you to another place entirely. A single melody can take you back to a moment of pure happiness. A familiar voice can reconnect you with someone you miss. Music does not just fill silence. It tells stories, stores memories, and quietly carries pieces of our lives. Let me take you along through a few of my own musical memories.
A tango in Venice that captured everything
There is one song that immediately takes me somewhere very specific. The moment I hear Por Una Cabeza by Carlos Gardel, I am no longer where I am. I am back in Venice. A small square. Warm air. Three musicians playing together, two violins and a double bass, filling the space with something almost magical.
It was one of those days that did not feel extraordinary while it was happening, yet somehow became unforgettable. My daughter, just over two years old, walked up to the musicians with tiny coins in her hands, full of quiet determination. My son sat in his stroller, observing everything in his own way.
I remember crouching next to him, looking at the scene in front of me. My husband, my daughter, my son, the music surrounding us. And suddenly, a thought appeared so clearly it almost surprised me.
This is it. This is happiness.
Not the kind that is loud or overwhelming, but the kind that feels complete. Everything was exactly where it needed to be. My parents were still both healthy at that time, something I became very aware of in that moment. My family was together. We were traveling. Nothing was missing.
And somehow, that tango captured all of it.
A Spanish square filled with life
Another song that works like a key to a specific memory is La Vida Es un Carnaval by Isaac Delgado. The moment it starts, I am no longer here. I am standing in a lively square in Málaga, surrounded by music, people, and movement. There was a festival happening that day. The air was filled with energy. Music echoing through the streets, the smell of food drifting past, colors everywhere you looked.
It was one of those moments where everything feels alive at the same time. And now, all it takes is a few seconds of that song to bring it all back. It is almost surreal how quickly it happens. One moment you are in your living room. The next, you are standing in the Spanish sun again, feeling the same atmosphere as if no time has passed at all.
The playlists that hold pieces of life
Over time, I have started collecting these musical moments. Not in a structured or intentional way, but simply by noticing which songs stay connected to something meaningful. On Spotify, I have two playlists that feel almost like personal archives. The first one is called “Speciaal Voor Mij.” This is the emotional one. The songs in this list are connected to people. Some who are still here, some who are not.
Each song carries a memory, a feeling, a person.
One of the songs in that list is Superheld by Nino. The first time I really listened to it, it hit something deeper than expected. The lyrics, the tone, the feeling behind it. It immediately made me think of a friend who means a great deal to me.
It is one of those songs that you do not just hear, but feel.
The soundtrack of sunshine and holidays
The second playlist is lighter in tone. It is called “Mijn Lievelings,” and it is filled with songs that instantly bring me back to holidays and carefree moments. These are the songs that carry sunshine.
One of them is Welcome to Jamrock by Damian Marley. The moment it plays, I am back in Jamaica.
Warm air. Bright light. Relaxed days that seemed to stretch endlessly. Sitting on a terrace with the best iced coffee, watching the world move at a completely different pace. It is impossible to hear that song without feeling at least a hint of that atmosphere again.
Why music holds so much power
What makes music so powerful is not just the sound itself, but the way it attaches itself to moments without us realizing it. You do not decide that a song will become important. It simply happens.
A certain song plays during a meaningful moment, and from that point on, they are connected. The music becomes a container for that memory. A way to revisit it, even years later. It goes beyond language. Sometimes a melody says more than words ever could. It allows you to feel something again, without needing to explain it.
The invisible thread between past and present
Listening to music is not just about the present moment. It is also about everything that came before. Each song becomes part of a larger story. Your story.
Some songs bring joy. Others bring a quiet kind of nostalgia. Some might even carry a touch of sadness. But all of them connect you to something real. That is what makes music so unique. It is not just something you hear. It is something you carry with you.
A small invitation to pause
The next time a song catches your attention, take a moment. Notice how it makes you feel. See if it reminds you of something or someone. Let it take you there, even if only for a minute.
Because hidden in those notes and lyrics are small pieces of your life. Moments you have lived, people you have loved, places you have been. And sometimes, all it takes is one song to bring it all back.
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