From Silence to Sound

Recently, a friend of mine asked me a profound question to which I could not give a prompt answer. "If a person got their ability to hear for the first time, what songs will you recommend to feel the magic music carries within?"

For me, it should be some starkly simple but soulful music that touches the heart as well as the soul.

Few things in music could be nearly as personal as the songs on the top of your playlist. I dug in so deep into my collection, and these kinds of songs reminded me of the magic of music: how they can change a person's life around, where each one tells its story that surely must have some relation to me, but beyond description.

1. Snehithane

First on my list is "Snehithane" from the timeless Indian movie Alaipayuthey. To me, the entire album is nothing short of a reference book for sound engineers and composers, and this track in particular is a standout.

With its magical blend of Sindhubhairavi, Sivaranjani, and Mohanam, this romantic masterpiece composed by the legendary A. R. Rahman in his good old days is a sublime musical treat that transcends time.

The hypnotic voice of Sadhana Sargam, the evocative Sarangi, and the gentle strumming of the acoustic guitar come together to create a delicate, ethereal atmosphere that I find myself lost in every time I listen to it.

And as the synthesized instruments come in, the reverberating effects add depth and texture, leaving me in awe of the intricate layers and nuances that make this song so special.

2. Apocalypse

Next up is "Apocalypse" by Cigarettes After Sex. The calm, gorgeous, and often breathtaking record is something to behold.

As the song begins, we're transported into a post-apocalyptic world, with crumbling bridges, cityscapes turning to dust, and helicopters falling from the sky. Absolute chaos. But the destruction isn't caused by natural disasters or war - it's caused by love.

"Your lips, my lips, apocalypse" - these simple words express the power and intensity of forbidden love and the consequences that come with it. It's an indelibly beautiful track that always leaves me breathless.

Along the same lines, it may not be necessary to explore CAS's other works, as they have a reputation for churning out formulaic tunes. You catch my drift!

3. Salted Wound

Believe me, the 50 Shades franchise has delivered some of the best songs in recent times. Without it, the entire history of some artists would be quite different.

Look at these examples:

Ellie Goulding – "Love Me Like You Do" – the song that majorly defined her career and makes her mainstream into an electropop artist.

The Weeknd's "Earned It" made its debut, for the first time, in the Billboard Top 5. It earned him the best R&B performance at the Grammys and was one of his smash hits from "Beauty Behind the Madness," which catapulted him into a global sensation.

Taylor Swift & Zayn's "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100, and more than that: the song was minted at a very specific point in both of their careers. Zayn was fresh off the 1D train, and IDWLF was the only song in Taylor's Spotify catalog for a minute after she pulled all her other music from the platform over an ownership discrepancy.

Sia's "Helium" - A ballad that really showcased Sia's emotional, powerhouse vocals.

Julia Michael's "Heaven" - Sounding very much like her massive hit "Issues," this is the third and final single from the 'Fifty Shades Freed' soundtrack and her biggest EP release, "Amethyst".

But out of all these hits, I'm more inclined toward Sia's 'Salted Wound'.

I'm immediately struck by the sheer beauty of this subdued, Eastern-inspired track. The swell of stringed instruments and charming ballad at the beginning are simply mesmerizing, and Sia's vocals are as intoxicating and seductive as ever.

She doesn't want you to just hear the lyrics - she wants you to feel them, to experience the emotions she's conveying. And for me, that's exactly what happens every time I listen to this song - I'm transported to another world, one where my senses are heightened and my soul is awakened.

4. Fear of the Water

"Fear of the Water" by SYML is a track that always leaves me with chills. There's something about the haunting melody and poignant lyrics that makes me feel like the temperature has dropped a few degrees in the room.

This Welsh band is truly phenomenal, and their music has a way of taking me to a holy place in my mind that I never knew existed. There are so many mysteries to untangle in this song, and every time I listen to it, I discover something new.

5. All I Want

"All I Want" by Kodaline is a song that hits me (and hits me real hard) right in the feels. The pain and longing in the lyrics are palpable, and the melody is both subtle and profound.

It's a masterpiece that perfectly captures the raw emotions that follow a painful breakup or failed family bond. And while the whole song is beautiful, it's the last minute that really gets me - the crescendo of the instruments and vocals as the singer belts out "All I want is nothing more, to hear you knocking at my door" always brings tears to my eyes.

It's a song that I could listen to on repeat for hours on end, and I know it will always hold a special place in my heart.

5. Saturn

"You taught me the courage of stars before you left

How light carries on endlessly, even after death

With shortness of breath

You explained the infinite

And how rare and beautiful it is to even exist"

The lyrics of this song have captured my heart and soul in a way that few others have.

As someone who is deeply passionate about the cosmos and astronomy, the words

"I'd give anything to hear you say it one more time

That the universe was made just to be seen by my eyes"

strike a deep chord within me. They remind me that in the vastness of the universe, our existence is a precious and fleeting thing and that we should cherish every moment that we have.

Listening to this song helps me ease the worries and anxieties of my everyday life, as I am reminded that there is something much greater than myself at play. The ethereal melody and evocative vocals only add to the sense of wonder and awe that the lyrics inspire.

'Saturn' is a song that makes me feel small in the best possible way, reminding me that I am just one small part of something much larger and more beautiful than I can ever imagine. I am an atheist, but something in this song spiritually touches my heart every time I listen to it, and it leaves me with a feeling of both wonder and awe. This would be the song I'd expect my kids to play for me at my funeral. It really couldn't hold a better place in my heart.

Special mention - Here with Me

I discovered this gem of a song while watching one of my favorite TV shows, 'Blacklist'. The moment I heard it, I was enchanted by the enigmatic beauty of Susie Suh's voice and the lyrics that speak to your inner self. It is a rare find that should not be kept hidden.

The intimate feeling is only balanced by the delicate tone of her acoustic guitar. The song elicits feelings of longing to be close to that person, to be held in their arms and comforted. It is a love and bonding song, and it reminds us how classy and influential human relations really are. Just a wave of warmth and tenderness goes through whenever this song is played, leaving me thankful for the people in my life who love and take care of me.

And I must admit, I had a huge crush on the character on this web series Elizabeth Keen, whose complex and compelling character drew me in.

And there you have it. Although I have hundreds of songs that hold a special place in my heart, I chose these because they are utterly simple, emotionally resonant, and timeless to me. These tracks never fail to connect with me on a deeper level, and I hope they resonate with you as well.