The algorithm on YouTube often times has this way of throwing something into recommendations that comes at the right time (like last evening). Two months ago, Japanese-American JPOP singer Ai re-released her 2005 hit, “Story” (updated 2025 PV). On May 18th, it will represent 20 years. Recently, I’ve been on this 20-30 year personal retrospective looking at some of things I did/great experiences I had (reminding me of how quickly time is passing); this song falls within that timeframe when I was doing some JPOP related stuff on the side. The algorithm popped it into the first row of videos today when I needed some much needed positivity.
The song (an R&B power ballad) is primarily about ones relationship with a significant other/partner. It’s the sort of song one might select to be played at their wedding for example. The updated 2025 promotional video however puts a more “family” related theme to it (it’s like watching a short drama of family life and the challenges that can happen within that relationship as we grow older, where that family relationship and the love involved is important in getting through those life challenges). “Story” in this updated visual context is very on-point with our own individual “life stories” as we journey through this short period of physical time that we spend on this planet.
Music has this power of hitting this emotional part of our souls; studies have shown how it has this positive effect on ones mental and cognitive well being. I like to look at it in a more spiritual context when taken together as to the universe we are a part of, and how we came to be from all of that “star stuff” (as Carl Sagan put it). Part of that energy makes up our soul and consciousness (what makes us who were are). The “frequency” of the universe is part of that resonance of musical melodies and why pieces of music, their melodies, and their arrangement along with the lyrical content, can have this wide ranging impact that crosses cultures and languages. It is this part of life that never ceases to amaze me (and why we should cherish the limited time we all have).
I personally listen to a wide array of music (classical, enka, pop, rock, metal, jazz) because it has this healing effect. I’ve also found that it is one of those things that is able to keep you young mentally (and physically if you don’t abuse yourself while listening to certain genres; like wear protective hearing, keep the headbanging, mosh pits, crowd surfing, and wall of death runs in check). Having been to so many concerts over the years (both as event staff and regular attendee) including Ai during one of her lives at Budokan, you see how music is able to unify people. And it never fails to amaze me how certain songs have such a huge emotional impact that it is able to bring audience members to a euphoric movement of joyful cheers or move some to tears. The “power of music” is truly incredible.
Ai’s song “Story” and this updated promotional video being recommended, re-grounded me on what is important. While I lost my mom a few years ago and my dad is now in the care of a loving foster home caretaker, we also lost a family matriarch (one of my fathers first cousins in a freak accident when she fell and hit her head). She was active, healthy and strong, doing her usual community related activities where someone found her unconscious after she had fallen (not even half an hour when she was last talking with someone). She had to undergo emergency surgery (to stop the bleeding) and initially everything seemed ok (post surgery, she was able to speak and had her motor skills). But then she suffered a stroke a few days later that left her unable to move/speak where the neurologist came to the conclusion it was best to transition her to hospice care. She passed away peacefully a week later. One day we are here and the next, we could be gone. Life is indeed precious but also fleeting.
This is the “story of life”, positives, negatives, and everything in between. How we each choose to live that life is up to us. I’m back to trying to find that balance again and not letting what is happening to this country consume all of my time/energy.
