Music & Me

 Hi everyone! My name is Jessie Simpson, and I'm so excited for this semester. Growing up, I was definitely more into sports oriented activities rather than music, personally I didn't really have much exposure to music at home or around me. Since sports were a big part of my life, I continued to pursue that passion here at Converse on the women's tennis team. So, while music wasn't always something that I was accustomed to, I'm really looking forward to learning more about it this year! 

I grew up in South Carolina, in a small town called Greer. I have a younger sister who is currently a junior at Greer High School. I have a dog named Kinnley, she is a beagle mix, super active and surely keeps me on my toes. I am currently attending Converse to further my academic career and double-majoring in Early Childhood Education and Hispanic Studies. I am super enthusiastic about this class and to learn all about the different cultures, their music, & more. Fun fact about me: I have a rational fear of ketchup. 

1. An example of something that I like right now: 

As of right now, my go-to song is Always Been You by Jessie Murph. I personally love this song because it is so emotional and her vocals truly capture those emotions she is feeling. The way that her voice flows with the sound track and the lyrics, it all blends very well together, which makes it super relatable and comfortable to listen to. I usually just play this in the car or even when I just want a moment to reflect on things. It is one of those songs that really sticks with you emotionally, but that is not too heavy or sad. I love the mix of the acoustics and her vocals, it almost feels like I'm hearing it for the first time every time I listen. Plus, I also like that her name is the same as mine, it makes me feel a little cooler! 

2. An example of music thats deeply important to me. 

One song that has been extremely meaningful to me for a significant amount of time is Rescue by Lauren Daigle. This song is truly the way to me personally, my faith is an extremely important part of my life and this song truly captures it. The message of true hope and reassurance helps to remind me that no matter what challenges I face, that I am never alone. I grew up listening to this song on the radio, but it never truly moved in me until some very dark moments in my life. While listening to this song, I felt comforted and strengthened at the same time. This song is and will always be one of my favorites and a source in times of doubt. 

3. An example of a music I don't really connect with. 

A song that I find really hard to connect with is Shape of You by Ed Sheeran. I can understand why it is so popular, it does have a catchy beat and rhythm to it. However, for me personally, the repetitiveness of the lyrics and melody doesn't really hold much meaning to me. I usually prefer songs or artists who use their songs to tell a more in depth story through their lyrics. I feel like this song is more like background music rather than something I can connect with on a personal level. Also, I've heard that some people feel as the song's main focus is on physical appearance, this can be a sensitive topic, and personally, as a young adult woman, it's not something that I find helpful or comfortable to listen to. 

Overall, I'm excited to broaden my music taste this semester, and get to learn about my peers choices of music! I am also intrigued to learn about music in different ways, and all the layers that make it so meaningful.