Typically when I think about writing the first thing comes to mind is a book, or ink on some sort of paper. Which is probably what the majority of people would say as well; and technically "Good Writing" all DOES start on a piece of paper. But does the final product always result as a book, news paper, or magazine article?
I know that music does involve writing, I mean quite a bit of music today contains lyrics. Before now I had never really thought to put music in the category of "writing" though, or at least the writing we would typically think of in an English class. When it boils down to it though it is exactly the same, with the same applied concept as "writing" that we normally think of. The only true difference is the way we receive the final form, or published piece of work. Generally you would flip a page, and maybe see a small visual to help entice your senses.
Music has the same intentions as writing. When taking in these pieces of work; either one for that matter. I believe everyone looks for the same qualities in a piece of literature as they do in music. Though many probably look for something that another person may not, it can still be applied to either form of "Good Writing". For me it is a no-brainer. I am looking to be entertained, something with good flow that is putting some sort of impression on ME the audience, by what the artist is trying to express through his words and music. Another key element for myself is can I form a connection with what is being presented to me, or does it speak to me in a way that will hold my attention. With music it is the sound, or tone if you will, that gives us that slight enticement to just keep on listening.
In 1997 the thing I love most was released into stores everywhere and heard all over the United States and probably other countries as well. It is the piece of culture we began to write about at the beginning of the year, that's right Matchbox 20's song "Back 2 Good". The story starts out with a man in a bar trying to pick up a strange woman at a bar. The way I have always perceived this is that he is looking for comfort in a strangers arms. The narrator (singer) goes on to explain that even though he may be with someone for the night, that really deep down he is still alone, and that not matter what he tries he is unsure of what to do to get things back to good for himself.
This is the best example of "Good Writing" for me. From the flow of the language to the tone and mood set by the artist, it is a consistent and meaningful piece of work. It is also easy to connect with for me because we have all wondered what has gone wrong in particular situations from time to time, with the same question bestowed upon us... how do we really get things back to good for ourselves. It makes me think, and makes me want more. In my opinion that is good writing.

Another Time, Another Place

So the last time I talked about the thing I love the most, I was a little less than happy and the memory was one probably worth letting go. Lets rewind again and take all this back to a better place.

It was April of 2004. Spring had really just began to kick in and things were starting a new, fresh beginning. But for me, I was coming close to the end of my road. With graduation being less than two months away there was one thing on my mind, my graduation trip to the beach with my friends. All of my thoughts went to planning my every move for the trip, the places we would go, the things we would try to do, the girls we would be trying to meet...

Walking through the hallway at school I bumped in to several friends who would be going on the trip with me, so of course I stop to ask them if they had given any thought to what they would want to try and do on our week long excursion. We tossed a few idea's around and agreed that we would meet up with the rest of our travel partners and see what they had on their minds as well before we tried to make any decisions for the task at hand. As we all darted our separate ways when the second bell had rung(meaning there was one minute to get to class) I bolted out the door and almost ran someone over. Fortunately no one was hurt, but I did manage to knock one of my very close friends books out of her hands and send her staggering back a pace or two. It was Ellen. Now there is a long history between this girl and I, some good and some not so good memories of times where we either helped one another or just managed to piss the other one off.

Our relationship started in 7th grade, where we were lab partners in pre-algebra. Ellen and I became close while dissecting a fetal pig. Odd how you can build a relationship with someone. But none the less, she was smart and I did not mind getting my hands inside a dead pig so really we made the perfect combination for this assignment. Things just went from there, we talked regularly and did many things together from that point. Which leads back to hitting her with the door. Had it been anyone else I would have been embarrassed and probably shaken a little, but since it was such a close friend and I saw she was okay it was a little easier to laugh and shake it off. As I helped her pick up the scattered belongings and made sure she was okay, she asked if i had time after school to talk about something important. "Sure", I responded, "you know we always have time to talk" I told her. I hugged her and apologized for being so careless and told her I would be waiting at her jeep after school.

The rest of the day seemed to drag. I suppose all of the anticipation over the beach trip and wondering what Ellen had to say just made the minutes pass like hours. As fourth period drew to an end I watched the warm spring sun bounce off windshields of the students cars lining the parking lot of the math building. As I sat there daydreaming I saw someone walking to their car, or maybe not, maybe they were walking to my car! "Who would be walking to my car?" I thought. Then I realized it was Ellen. She had stuck something under my windshield wiper, but what was it? Finally the bell rang and the great race began. Students flew to their vehicles, whether they were trying to beat traffic or just merely fleeing the "jail" like escaping convicts, just hoping to get away from whatever grim dark images they may have encountered during the day. Normally I would fall in to that category, but today there was something else on the agenda. I wanted to know what had been left on my car! I fought my way through the parking lot battling open doors and crowds gathered in the masses recalling the days tragedies. Out of breath and heart racing I lifted the windshield wiper and removed an envelope that had been stuck underneath. It was a note, and what appeared to be a ticket. I spoke out loud to myself "oh great, some type of fundraiser for an after school club". My excitement level dropped, but then i began to read the note.
" JT,
I know that we are coming up and graduation and both of us will be going to school in the fall, I really just wanted us to have another good memory together before things start to get hectic. The ticket inside is to go and see Matchbox 20, I know you like them a lot and you know I do as well. My uncle was supposed to be driving a tour bus for Metallica but they switched him up and he has Matchbox 20's tour now. We have seats right beside the stage and an after-show pass to meet the band. Love yah lots and I will see you at my house tonight at 6."

I was in shock. First of all that I was going to a concert that night, secondly it was an AWESOME band, and to top it all off I was going with a friend who meant the world to me, and she picked me to go with her! Immediately I went home to share the good news and begin preparing for the nights events. Once I had calmed down and told my family what I would be doing that evening time went back in to slow-motion.

I arrived at 6 just as instructed and sure enough she was walking out the door ready to begin the night. The concert started at 7 so we tried to arrive about 30 minutes early in order to get a good parking spot and beat the crowds inside. Pulling in to the coliseum we saw that it was already a mad house, with fans lining the streets walking to get to doors before show time. We finally parked and made our way through the crowds and chaos to get to our seats. In no time the place was full and the lights were dimming.

The concert started with a few new songs then went back to some recent hits. As the band ended their song "Unwell", lead singer Rob Thomas spoke up and said "this is probably my favorite little tune right here, I wrote this one for you guys..." as he pointed out to the crowd. Then I heard the familiar lyrics that had echoed in my head some time back in the not so distant past, " well I couldn't tell, if anyone here was feelin the way I do, but I'm lonely now, and I don't know how...to get it back to good." When the final chorus ended and the drums and guitar faded back in to the darkness of the stage, Ellen spoke to me. "I know you like that song, they did a great job tonight huh?". I thought for a moment and responded "yeah they did an awesome job, i loved it! But I have to say you did an awesome job too Ellen. Thanks for always being such a good friend, and thanks for giving me one of the most memorable nights of my life..."

Back to Good

At seventeen years old heartbreaks are a dime a dozen. Right around this time period I thought i was " in love", and that things would last forever with my high school sweet heart. I was wrong! The love of my life Jessica had other idea's for our future together, that meaning there was no future. But being young and having feelings like that is a difficult situation to be in, I was lost. A few nights after my heart being torn out I decided it was time to do my best to regain my hold on reality and try to find some way of moving on. So I did what any other young newly licensed teenager would do..... I took a spin.

Flying down the straight stretches and squealing tires through the curves was fun.... But needed something. Music, that was what I needed to complete my equation. I turned the radio up hoping for Chevelle, or Metallica. Instead it was quite opposite of that. It was a band I had heard many times and usually enjoyed their music on any happy occasion. "What the heck, we'll give it a shot" I thought to myself. I had not heard this song yet anyways.

The song opens with a slow, mellow, almost sad tone. This was great for me at the time, it was just how I had been feeling! Then Rob Thomas chimed in with the chorus and my attention was immediatley caught. "And everyone here, knows that everyone here is thinkin about somebody else. Well it's best if we all keep this under our heads. And I couldn't tell if anyone here was feelin the way I do... but I'm lonely now, and I don't know how to get it back to good." When I heard those words and thought on them for a moment, I suddenly became slightly relaxed and felt a sense of relief. Maybe I was not the only one who was feeling the way I did? I really was not alone!

The song "Back to Good" became one of my favorite songs of all time. I became an even bigger fan of the band, attending concerts any time they came to North Carolina. At one of Matchbox 20's events in Raleigh one evening the entire band spoke about this song and shared how each of the band members added to "Back to Good" from their own personal experiences in dealing with "hard-ships" and just really difficult times. Once I heard what they said and then played the song live it became very transparent to me that no matter how young or old we are, or whatever circumstances we may be battling through, many other people have some of the exact same things on their minds as well.

We all listen to music for many different reasons. Some to occupy time, others may just like a beat to a particular song. I listen to music to vent and to relate. Matchbox 20's song " Back to Good" influenced me at an early age to see that music is a beautiful way to let people know how you feel. Still today when I listen to that song it reminds me that we are never alone in what we feel and there is always a song to listen to.