With the incredible amount of video material on social media sites, certain topics immediately draw our attention. These topics cover the gamut, including funny pets, babies, pranks, and more. Most of us have clicked through many types of these videos, but for me, the soldiers' coming home videos evoke much emotion and attention. These heartwarming clips capture the raw essence of human connection, portraying the joyous reunions between service members and their loved ones. However, beyond the tears of joy and the range of emotions lies another crucial element that amplifies the sentimentality of these videos - the music.
Soldiers coming home videos are often accompanied by carefully selected soundtracks that enhance the emotional impact of the reunions. Whether it's soaring orchestral pieces, ballads, patriotic anthems, or the popular “I’m Coming Home” song (The Soldiers, 2009) that seems to be widely used, the music serves as a powerful rhetorical device, eliciting a range of emotions from viewers and heightening the overall viewing experience.
So, what makes these clips so popular that they continue to pop up on our social media feeds? Could the popularity of soldiers coming home videos also be attributed to their ability to tap into universal themes of love, sacrifice, and resilience, appealing to our emotions, which are heightened when these images are accompanied by music?
The Illusion of Life perspective by Langer, as discussed in Sellnow's “A Music Perspective,” may come into play. This perspective accounts for what occurs when “human beings symbolize life experiences through music.” Regardless of one's background or political beliefs, these videos resonate with audiences on a deeply human level, reminding us of the inherent bonds that unite us all. By pairing these universal themes with musical aesthetics, these videos transcend cultural barriers and resonate with viewers in America and perhaps across the globe.
In today's culture, no matter how positive the intent, there may always be those who criticize. Coupling the music with the images of soldiers coming home from service will always resonate with me and undoubtedly continue to pull on my heartstrings. So, pass the tissues, please.
Do you think that the music tracks in these videos create a greater effect than the video alone?
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