Music: through thick and thin, bad and good, it’s always been there for me. I’m constantly listening to music through the halls of Arcadia High School, at home, anywhere and everywhere. It’s such a comfort to have a good song on during a bad day.

I’m thankful for Led Zeppelin, the first band that I was really, overly, obsessed with. Their high-energy, driving songs like “Kashmir” always get me out of my seat. Their ballads like “Going to California” or “Tangerine” have both beautiful stories and melodies. 

I’m thankful for The Who. In every song, Pete Townshend displays his incredible musical talent and relatability. I don’t think I’ll ever recover from hearing “Blue, Red, and Gray” for the first time. Keith Moon is always out of control, yet right where he wants to be. John Entwisle might be one of the best bass players I’ve ever heard. The comedic and dramatic aspects of The Who’s songs, and albums, make their musical works short stories.

I’m thankful for “Our House” by Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young. It’s such a sincere, vulnerable song. The song is about a dreary LA day when Graham Nash and Joni Mitchell had breakfast and bought a vase. The lyrics are so simple but so comforting.

I’m thankful for the high-voltage rock n’ roll of AC/DC. Angus Young running around stage dressed up as a schoolboy might be just as exciting as their music. It really doesn’t get any better than pure, straight, rock. 

I’m thankful for Jimi Hendrix for blowing my mind with literally every song he has ever released. Of course he’s a guitar genius, but he also has an amazing, smooth, voice.

I’m thankful for The Grateful Dead, a cosmic band. They’re such happy hippies and it really comes across in the music. They might not be as “tight” as other bands, but they make my ears and heart happy. 

I’m thankful for the blues, folk, and country musicians who inspired all these artists. Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Johnny Cash, Woody Guthrie, John Lee Hooker, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Howlin’ Wolf, John Renbourn, and Son House to name a few. 

I could go on and on about my favorite bands and songs, but music has done so much more for me. Through my obsession with music, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting new people from all over the world. Making relationships through the internet because of music has been an amazing experience. 

Music has even bonded my group of close friends together. We all have a collective love for the acapella numbers of the Pitch Perfect movie franchise. My father and I also bond over music. I distinctly remember trading songs with him next to our bright Christmas tree one year.

Other than bonding and making relationships, I’m also grateful for being able to play music. In elementary and middle school, I played piano. Being able to play my favorite songs was a great next step for my appreciation of music. 

During quarantine, I started to play guitar at home. I might not be the next Jimi Hendrix (yet), but being able to play my favorite songs never fails to put a smile on my face. Playing guitar also heightened my appreciation for the people who created and flawlessly played the songs I have learned. 

Thank you, music.