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Everyone knows that MTV rules television and downloading is essential. It’s clear that hip-hop is popular, rock, pop. Music, whatever label it may have, has become a necessity. The question is why. Why is music so important?

All kids, teenagers, have some sort of music that they can relate to. It gives them an outlet, whether it is creative or aggressive or soothing. It’s a form of therapy, in a way -- therapy that we’re much more willing to accept as it doesn’t involve talking about how we feel and why we feel it. Music is always there. It’s there when you’re angry and your friends won’t talk to you, it’s there when you just want to be left alone. Anyone will admit that blasting music makes a bad day feel a little bit better.

For some reason, everyone can find solace in it. Something about whatever genres they listen to touches them (although many will never admit it). It feels like someone finally understands them. No one needs to feel alone when they press “play” on their favorite CD, no matter where they sit in the cafeteria.

If only the surface of this effect is examined, it appears that music breaks people up, into cliques, if you will. The kids who listen to rock hang out together, the kids who listen to R&B hang out together, etc. Digging deeper, though, anyone will see that it’s not the case.

People will always be different. It’s a fact pf life. Not everyone can be friends with everyone else, and that’s not a bad thing. Music brings us together, makes us see that there’s always someone who cares. It helps form friendships and keep them going. It allows kids to grow into the world around them.

So why is music so important? You tell me.