Handwritten Melodies
I started writing down lyrics in the sixth grade (2005). For some reason, I still vividly remember the time I wrote out the lyrics to “Evergreen” by Westlife. I also recall copying lyrics from my close classmate, Johanna specifically, “The Day You Said Goodnight” by Hale. We both loved filling our notebooks with song lyrics. I also remember the afternoons spent hanging out with our neighbor, Kuya Junjun, outside our house. I used to bother him to share the lyrics he had memorized and he was always willing to make time for me, reciting the words slowly while I wrote them down. I miss those moments. I truly wish he were still with us in this world. He was such a kind person.
Writing down lyrics became a hobby that lasted throughout my school years. I simply enjoyed the act of writing in my notebooks. It helped me memorize the songs which is why I still know so many of them by heart today. I love music and I love listening to songs. I used to enjoy listening to DJ Ace on MOR, an FM station in Cebu. I remember spending my nights listening to the radio before bed. I even used to go to computer shops with lists of K-pop songs to have them burned onto CDs. It was a habit that started in 2009. Hello to my fellow Boys Over Flowers lovers! My fascination with that drama pushed me to get those CDs burned. I wonder if people still burn CDs nowadays? Before long, I transitioned to listening to music on my phone.
This lyric-writing phase of my life ended when I graduated from college and started working. I eventually outgrew the hobby and began looking up lyrics online instead. I used the Notes app on my phone to copy and paste them. I don’t even look up lyrics anymore, I just enjoy the music on my phone. I still listen to music every single day. I can’t go a day without it. I’m still addicted to music. It’s like life to me.
Looking back at these notes brings back an immense sense of nostalgia and happiness. I had tons of notebooks full of lyrics years ago but constant flooding over the years ruined them. This is the only notebook I managed to save. I wish I had been able to capture or preserve the others, however life was different back then and I had no way to do so. I can only reminisce about the days I enjoyed this hobby. The notebooks are physically gone but the memory of them remains and will linger in my mind forever. It’s kind of a poignant reminder of the gone years that I always wish to remember vividly but my memory fails me at times. I realized I haven’t written anything about this hobby. I’m terrified that I might forget this (along with the fond memories I had in life) so writing this is a necessity.
#music #songlyrics #transcribinglyrics #nostalgia #poignant #memories #fondmemories #writetopreservememories
Handwriting song lyrics has been a profound way to connect with music and memories for many people, just as it was for me. When I started copying lyrics by hand during my school years, it wasn’t just about remembering the words—it was about immersing myself fully in the songs I loved. This tactile process deepened my appreciation and helped me internalize music more meaningfully than just passive listening. Many people share this sentimental practice of transcribing their favorite songs, sometimes even adding personal notes or reflections beside the lyrics. It often feels like creating a private archive of emotions, experiences, and phases of life. From my own experience, the act of handwriting lyrics brought a unique calm and focus, especially during quiet afternoons spent with friends or family who also appreciated music deeply. With the rise of digital technology, habits have shifted dramatically. I recall fondly how we used to rush to computer shops to burn CDs filled with K-pop songs or other favorite genres. This ritual was not only about collecting music but also about curating our personal soundtracks. Although nowadays streaming and online lyrics dominate, the nostalgia for handwritten melodies remains strong. Preserving these handwritten lyrics offers more than sentimental value—it’s a poignant reminder of the passing years and personal growth. When natural disasters like flooding damaged many of my lyric notebooks, the feeling was almost like losing pieces of my own history. Thankfully, I preserved at least one notebook, which triggered vivid memories and emotions. In addition, writing helps combat the fading of memories. As life moves fast and details blur, penning down the lyrics and memories acts as a vital anchor to the past. The meaningful connections to songs like "Evergreen" by Westlife and "The Day You Said Goodnight" by Hale, and shared moments with kind neighbors, underscore how music intertwined with relationships and life events. I encourage anyone who loves music and values memories to try writing their favorite lyrics by hand. It’s a meditative practice that strengthens memory retention and deepens your bond with the music. Whether it’s in a notebook or a journal, handwritten lyrics can enrich your lifelong soundtrack and provide solace through nostalgia. Plus, this creative act connects you to countless others who treasure music as a way to preserve emotion and history.
