The Soundtrack Of Our Lives How Music Transports Us Through Time

The music industry has seen a lot of changes in my lifetime, but the introduction of the CD player on Oct. 1, 1982, had to be one of the biggest. On the surface, CDs aren’t very exciting, especially compared to today’s technology. But at that time, they were a revolution. The technology ultimately led to the end of cassette tapes, floppy disks, and VCRs.

The most significant impact on my life was how CDs allowed me to bring music everywhere. I no longer needed a record player or had to tolerate the tangled tape and low sound quality of cassettes. This history got me thinking about how music has permeated my life and the way a single song can transport me to a specific moment.

For example, I went skiing for the first time in eighth grade. It was freezing and the only place to find shelter from the cold was a tiny restaurant too small to be appropriately called a lodge. We ordered hot chocolate to warm up and put a quarter in the jukebox, selecting Elton John’s song “Crocodile Rock.” So many years later, I remember that exact occasion every time I hear it play. A high school classmate, Fran, always had parties at her house, and a couple of classic ’70s songs always take me back to her front yard.

Another memory from high school occurred while visiting colleges with my father. I was considering a variety of schools, including the Merchant Marine Academy. We’d just finished the tour and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” began playing on the car radio. It was an instrumental rendition by Percy Faith & His Orchestra that I’d never heard before, and I thought it was absolutely beautiful. My dad, who was a big music lover, sang, and had a Ph.D. in music therapy, was shocked that I was so taken with it, but it became our special song.

Any time we couldn’t see each other in person over the holiday season, we’d talk on the phone instead. I’d go into the minor operating room and crank up the song as loud as possible so we could listen to it together. It’s a beautiful memory that I cherish. Now, my son and I adore another version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” by Rascal Flatts. I love that it has become our family’s special father/son holiday song.

One final musical memory stands out. At some point during our wedding reception, the DJ was supposed to play the Eagles’ song “Love Will Keep Us Alive.” For whatever reason, that never happened. But as my wife and I drove to our hotel at the night’s end, it began playing on the radio.

We were traveling down a dark back road with no lights. I pulled the car over, put on the high beams, twisted the volume all the way up, and we got out and danced by the side of the road together. It was a beautiful, romantic experience, but we awoke the next day with so many mosquito bites that it looked like we had chicken pox! We still jokingly call that track “the mosquito song.”

Music profoundly affects our minds, bodies, and souls, and I hope that all of my patients have equally precious memories. The anniversary of the CD player is as good an excuse as any to revisit and reflect on them with the people you love.

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Renowned for his commitment to enhancing your eyelid and facial appearance while prioritizing your safety. Dr. Scott is board-certified in Ophthalmology and has specialized fellowship training in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.  With extensive training at prestigious institutions, including the Medical College of Virginia, Manhattan Eye, Ear, & Throat Hospital, and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Dr. Scott brings a wealth of expertise to his craft. His accolades, including recognition as a Top Plastic Surgeon by Northern Virginia Magazine, underscore his dedication to excellence. Dr. Scott's passion lies in helping you achieve the best aesthetic results while safeguarding your eyesight.

Location: Fairfax - Northern Virginia

Areas of Expertise: Cosmetic laser eyelid surgery ( blepharoplasty ), ptosis surgery, treatment of benign and malignant eyelid cancers, correction of eyelid malposition – ectropion, entropion repair, and Botox and filler treatment.