Thank you to anyone and everyone who has been visiting my blog.

As I have written in the past, I am amazed to check my stats and see that people continue to show up — even though I post somewhat infrequently.

Maybe that’s part of the power/magic of having 13 years worth of previous blog posts?

Today’s Throwback Thursday re-visits a blog post I published on March 15, 2014.

It focuses on music — and includes a recording of the Burt Bacharach/Hal David classic, “Alfie.”

You can click here to access it if you are curious.

Pianist/singer/arranger/songwriter Molly Ruggles and I performed “Alfie” recently at an assisted living community in Milford, MA, as part of an hour-long program of songs composed by Burt Bacharach.

Some of the folks in their memory care unit joined us, and one woman in a wheelchair appeared to be particularly zoned out when she was wheeled to her spot in the audience.

Then the music began… and she started to sing-along.

She was able to remember the lyrics to a bunch of Bacharach/David hits, including “Walk On By,” “Close To You.” and “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head.”

Music has many mysterious powers!

A quick search on Google tells me that “listening to or playing music is a full-brain experience that engages nearly every region, creating a ‘total brain workout’. It activates a widespread network involving auditory, emotional, motor, and memory systems simultaneously, often synchronizing these areas to enhance cognitive function.

• Auditory Cortex (Temporal Lobes): Processes sound, rhythm, and melody, converting sound waves into electrical signals.
• Limbic System (Emotion & Memory): The amygdala (emotion) and hippocampus (memory) respond to music, explaining why specific songs trigger vivid memories or emotional responses.
• Motor System (Movement): The cerebellum and motor cortex are activated, controlling involuntary tapping or dancing to the rhythm.
• Prefrontal Cortex (Focus & Planning): Involved in planning, attention, and interpreting musical structure.
• Neurotransmitter Release: Music boosts dopamine (pleasure/motivation) and serotonin, while lowering cortisol (stress).

And here’s a link to an article which elaborates on some of these phenomena — featuring a lovely pediatrician and musician named Patrick Whelan who was a member of the same a cappella singing group I joined in college — the Harvard Din & Tonics.

Thank you to the generous and talented photographers at Pixabay.

Thank you to the folks researching how music affects us.

And thank YOU for reading another one of my blog posts!