*NSYNC & Gloria Estefan, Music of My Heart

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**In the 56^th edition of Music Lifts (2023), we’re uplifted by *NSYNC & Gloria Estefan performing, “Music of My Heart.”**

Welcome to Music Lifts , a column that seeks to highlight songs that encourage, inspire, and uplift the spirit; songs that exude fortitude, positivity, and resolve, even in the face of adversity. Featured songs aren’t genre-specific; songs may or may not be faith-based. The goal is for these songs to make you feel better – be LIFTED to new heights! So, for the 56^th edition of Music Lifts (2023), we highlight “Music of My Heart” as performed by *NSYNC and Gloria Estefan.

“You taught me to run

You taught me to fly

Help me to free the ‘me’ inside

Helped me hear the music of my heart

Helped me hear the music of my heart.”

Woo! Diane Warren excels at writing meaningful and memorable songs. It’s amazing that her Academy Award remains elusive . She penned an inspirational and uplifting record for boy band extraordinaire, *NSYNC and Grammy-winning Latin-pop standout, Gloria Estefan. Many songs recorded by *NSYNC were drizzled in schmaltz – bubblegum pop ran rampant in the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, “Music of My Heart” and “Giddy Up” are not one and the same ! “Music of My Heart,” the featured single from Music of My Heart, starring Meryl Streep, Aidan Quinn, Angela Bassett, and Estefan, has always been one of my favorite songs by the boyband I once denied I liked or listened to back in the day . A huge success, “Music of My Heart” peaked at no. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been certified gold by the RIAA.

On “Music of My Heart,” *NSYNC and Gloria Estefan show appreciation for those who have helped and influenced them. In the first verse, a young Justin Timberlake proclaims on lead vocal, “You’ll never know / What you’ve done for me / What your faith in me / Has done for my soul.” His partner in crime, JC Chasez adds, “You made me hope for something better / And made me reach for something more.” Oh, the inspiration! In the second verse, Estefan acknowledges, “You were the one / Always on my side / Always standing by / Seein’ me through.” In that second verse, Gloria gets responses from JT, JC, and *NSYNC. Of course, the crowning achievement – the crème de la crème – is the chorus. balancing a barbell on finger The chorus (excerpted above) is tuneful to the nth degree, and authentically pays ode. Also, making “Music of My Heart” utterly sublime are the lush introduction, warm vocal harmonies, a bridge separating itself from the verses and chorus, and the key change which further elevates the energy and intensity. Who says a teen-pop collective can’t provide a significant musical lift ? Notably, “Music of My Heart” was nominated for two Grammys (Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals and Best Song Written For A Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media) at the 42^nd Annual GRAMMY Awards. Speaking of that elusive Oscar for Diane Warren, this marked her fifth time nominated for Best Original Song… and fifth loss.