Chapter 1: The Melodic Reading Experience

Many individuals often debate whether listening to music while reading is beneficial or detrimental to concentration. For years, I was one to enjoy melodies as I delved into books. Nowadays, rather than using headphones, I prefer to have soft background music accompanying my reading sessions.

I recall a specific instance from nearly twelve years ago when I was traveling by train from Gatwick Airport to London. After bidding farewell to my mother, who had spent the summer with my children and me, I found myself in a reflective mood. I had my mp3 player with me, and the playlist seemed to match my emotional state perfectly, providing a backdrop of neutral tunes that required no skipping as I made my way to the station.

The book I had chosen was equally neutral—‘A History of God’ by Karen Armstrong, a British writer renowned for her explorations of religion and its significance. While the narrative provided a welcome distraction from the impending separation from my mother, I was unaware that my mind and my music player had unknowingly orchestrated a poignant encounter.

As I journeyed, Gil Scott-Heron’s ‘Did You Hear What They Said?’ began to play. This powerful track addresses the tragedy of a young life lost and the surrounding circumstances, coinciding with my reading of the chapter titled ‘In the Beginning.’ The juxtaposition of Scott-Heron’s profound lyrics and Armstrong’s examination of religious themes provided a unique emotional experience.

Chapter 2: The Intersection of Music and Literature

Listening to music while reading can be likened to the intersecting lines on economic charts, where one indicates growth and the other reflects spending habits. While I generally enjoy music without intrusive lyrics—favoring genres like jazz and classical—there are occasions when a song’s words resonate with the text in front of me. However, this can sometimes lead to a distraction, pulling attention away from the book itself.

The complexity arises particularly when lyrical songs accompany reading. Ideally, the music should enhance the narrative, but there’s a risk of overshadowing the book's content. The ultimate goal of reading is immersion, so why complicate it with competing stimuli?

Nevertheless, during my travels, I found that songs with lyrics occasionally complemented the narrative. That day on the train, Scott-Heron’s poignant lines hit me harder than ever before, fusing my personal experiences with the themes explored in Armstrong's work.

The first video highlights the debate surrounding music and focus during reading sessions. It explores various perspectives on whether melodies can enhance or hinder concentration.

As I navigated through Scott-Heron’s verses, I found my thoughts juxtaposing the harsh realities presented in his lyrics against the serene ideals described in Armstrong’s exploration of Nirvana. This internal dialogue illustrated the emotional depth that can emerge when music and literature intersect.

The second video showcases a selection of music that many people listen to while reading, offering insights into how different genres can influence the reading experience.

Ultimately, whether one prefers the tranquility of silence or the expressive tones of music while reading is subjective. My experience showed me that the right blend of music can transform not only the external environment but also the internal landscape of thought and emotion.

Feel free to support my journey by buying me a coffee here.