Counting the Days · 9:23pm Sep 20th, 2015

In one month from today, my dad and I shall be seeing my favorite band (and his too, I believe), Collective Soul, for the seventh time. Some of you may think this is extreme, but this is a group we absolutely love. Some of you may think this is financially irresponsible, but my dad and I are smart. We have rarely ever paid more than $60 per ticket to go to any concert - most are closer to $35 - and in the times we have paid more, it was for a once-in-a-lifetime sort of experience. And to top it off, we only get to see Collective Soul, and our other favorite groups, once per year or per every other year. In this way, it becomes a treat to see the groups we love, rather than just something to do.

Now, how did I get into Collective Soul? Well, it started when my dad brought home their Greatest Hits album, sometime when I was in high school. He would play the CD in his car, and I remember thinking something along the lines of, "Yeah, they're alright, but I doubt I'll ever really be too big into them." And yet, somehow, the melodies got to me, the lyrics would stick. Soon, I knew a good portion of their songs by heart. Soon, the two of us had driven my mom crazy by how often we would listen to them. (It was also odd to hear their song, The World I Know, and placing it as the song used in an ad for the now-defunct Animal Planet show, The Little Zoo That Could, only a short while before.)

Fast forward to college. I'd had bands that I'd identified as my favorite, but only halfheartedly and transiently. And then, at some point, I realized that I listened to Collective Soul the most. I loved their songs the most. They were, truly and wholly, my favorite band. How had this happened? And when? Well, it's hard to say to both. All I know is that their songs speak to me. They have that rock n' roll sound that I love. Their songs always put me in a better mood if I'm already in a good one, or they come on the radio when I'm feeling down, and it somehow lets me know that I'm going to be alright.

It's also wonderful to know that the guys in the band are all normal people, just having fun and doing what they love. It is also obvious that they appreciate their fans. At one concert my dad and I went to, lead singer Ed Roland told the crowd, "Hey, if you see us on the beach, just come over, say hi, and we'll jam." They also constantly thank the crowds for being there, and have, more than once, expressed their gratitude to the fans. Not every celebrity is like that. A good amount lose their heads, forget the fact that they are just people, too. So to see a band with so many fans to be so humble is refreshing to see.

Another reason I love them, and that shows they're down to earth? Many songs of theirs are based on real-life experiences. Crown, for example, was written after Ed and his brother and guitarist, Dean Roland, lost their father. Good Morning After All was written to honor their mother, who kept the family together after said loss. Adored honors Ed Roland's second wife after a devastating break-up with his first, and Satellite expresses his love for his son. In this way, it is easier to connect with what the songs are conveying, because they are feelings that many of us have dealt with or will deal with.

Is it crazy to love a band so much? Some may say yes. I say no. After all, look at how strongly we all feel about My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Look at all the other fandoms out there. There's a reason the word "fan" came from "fanatic". Collective Soul is my favorite band for a reason, and they will always continue to be. Here's to another great concert, guys.

Bonus
Here is the song I identify with most: