As one grew up in the 50’s and 60’s, the artists playing music at the time were easy to listen to, exciting and some could make hair stand on end with their voices. Beautiful bands playing tunes that inspired one to dance and sing the night away were a normal part of my youth. They had voices that sang inside you and inspiring melodies. But that is not how I see modern artists and their efforts today.

When I was still in school, I had a part-time job at a dairy cafe across from the cinema in Bondi. While the movies were playing, the music was also playing across the street and some of it made me stop in my tracks. Artists like Mario Lanza still do it to me when his records play. So do others like Nat King Cole, Frankie Lane, Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, and the list goes on.

Who doesn’t like the music of Glen Miller and other bands like Bill Haley’s. But what do we have today to match them? They didn’t yell at you or yell notes. They hummed and gently let you know that they were artists.

Musicians today have a different approach. The notes are still there, but pronounced in a more violent and strident way. The effect on the ears is harsh and when played in stores and centers they often cause a headache. This reminded me again today while shopping for new shoes.

Store after store, the music was annoying, very unpleasant and exhausting. I finally gave up after telling two of the young shop assistants how bad it would hurt their ears. Persistent loud noise causes the cilia in the ears to react and this can lead to tinnitus and even deafness before they are much older. In the case of the former, they will experience a ringing in the ears that is constant and for which there is no cure.

Every once in a while you hear a nice song from those early days and my heart sings along with it. Usually, though, the noise of raucous melodies makes me run away from him. Having been aware of the danger of such, it is appalling that the workplaces of so many are damaged and contaminated with this material.

If store owners want to do people a favor and attract more customers to their stores, do it with soft, loving music that makes our hearts sing. Turn off the horrible screaming and loud noise that passes for music at this time.