Music surrounds us. Music is part of the very fiber of our society. Since the invention of the Sony Walkman in 1979 music has continued to be more portable. No longer is music just on the radioset at home, or the radio in the car, you can actually carry music with you. Everywhere you go you are able to have music. As you are sitting here listening to this speech how many of you are carrying an iphone, ipod, or an mp3 player on you right now in your pocket or purse? Hi, my name is Erica Wickson. I am from Auburn Hills Christian School. Because of music's powerful influences we need to be careful of what we listen to, because it will and does effect your attitude, mood, and behavior.

                             In 2008 an article, written by Tana Parker-pope, named "Under the influence of...Music?", was written. In this article Tana gave statistics on how much teenagers listen to music, whats on their MP3 players, and what percentages of the songs on them talk about drugs and alcohol. She said that we listen to music on an average of 2 and half hours a day! She also said that adults that listen to music hear at least 84 references to drugs, achohol, and more on a daily basis. In one week one adult could hear 591 references on average of the same drugs and achohol. In this report Tana stated that 77% of rap songs, which teens today tend to listen to the most often, contain said references. 9% of pop songs, 14% of rock songs, 20% of R&B songs, and 36% of country songs have drug and achohol related lyrics. 9 out of 10 teens have ipods, mp3s, cd players, with all these type of genres on them receiving all this information into their minds and bodies, in their rooms or homes. says Tana Parker-pope.

                         Many people commented on this report disagreeing and agreeing with it. They argued back and forth leaving their comments about how much they disagreed on the article. One teenager commented and said, " Us teenagers are smarter than you think, well most of us. So all you parents out there moral of the story: teach your children well and trust that they will follow your example." While parents should set a good example and teens should follow their example. Sadly enough most teenagers don't. This teenager said most of us...meaning that not all teenagers are as smart as they would like to think. Not even most teenagers that think they are smart are even as smart as they think. Truth is most teenagers are vulnerable and easily influenced, and the music, tv, and things we read are proof of this.

                         The story of Saul and David is a perfect example of how music will affect you postively. In 1 Samuel 16:15-22 we see this. Whenever Saul was being tormented by evil spirits David would play his harp. When David played his harp Saul would feel better. David's music would affect Saul's attitude, mood and behavior to a significant point.

                         At 8 years old a young girl was diagnosed with cancer. Her mom bought her a clarinet to play. Not understanding at the time, the little girl played quite frequently. About three years later her mom had passed away. This clarinet was all she had left, the only memory she had of her mother. This little girl played her clarinet when she was sad, happy, angry, and in pain. When her mother died she wanted to kill herself, but she picked up the clarinet, cried like never before, and played her music.

                         A young 20 year old girl had been depressed for three years and attempted suicide twice. She had gone to several doctors who didn't seem to help. She had taken therapy and even medication, but still nothing had changed. She knelt to her knees one night and prayed to God, "please send me something that will help me, anything." A couple of nights later a new song by Skillet (a Christian band) had come on the radio. This song says that you're not alone no matter what you are going through or what you feel. This song, this little bit of hope changed her life.

                      Beethoven said, "...I would have ended my life - it was only my art that held me back. Ah, it seemed to me impossible to leave the world until I had brought forth all that I felt was within me."

                      My mom was diagnosed with cancer last year. A few days after she was diagnosed she was listening to the new Chris Tomlin cd in her car. The song "I Lift My Hands" came on. She says that she immediately felt peace and knew that her life was in God's hands. The words to this song gave her comfort throughout her treatment. Not only to her, but also to my family. This song became a theme song to my family, when we listened to this song we knew everything was going to be okay. God gave my mom peace through this song. This song gave her hope.

                     In conclusion I believe that we need to be careful of what we listen to. Being surrounded by music nearly everywhere we go is a dangerous thing. Music will and does affect your attitude, mood, and behavior positively and negatively.