The Soundtrack of Memory: Nostalgia in Sag Harbor
Before reading this essay, I encourage you to put on a song that brings back fond memories. It can be a song from a few weeks ago, months ago, or even something from your childhood, like a song from GoNoodle. If you cannot think of one, you can choose something from this playlist : https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1gLGPa9Q02Ck5c2gEJYCac . I don't always listen to it, but I love music. Whether I am studying, reading, walking, mowing the lawn, or simply doing something mundane, music is usually present. Old music, new music, instrumental tracks, jazz, hip hop, or even simple background noise can completely change the way a moment feels. Something so simple that can hold so much power. The notes are not just sounds; they become memories. A song can remind us of a specific time in our lives, an emotion or event we cannot fully explain in words, but one that you can feel. In Sag Harbor , Colson Whitehead uses music in this exact way. Though the novel is a coming of age novel, I belie...