What would we do without music?

It's a question the hosts of "How We Heard It" hated to even contemplate.

Would this mean we wouldn't have songbirds? Would we not hear the wind in the trees or the waves in the ocean? What about the rhythm of a heartbeat? Would humans not hum or whistle?

Even if those elements were in play, imagine no concerts, no music at games or bars, no music to accompany driving or workouts, no music at weddings, church services or funerals.

Then the hosts decided to modify the question: What if music existed, but it weren't commercially available to us? If we didn't have agency over our music, we couldn't create playlists, share music with friends or use it for romance.

A lack of music, or even a lack of control over the music we hear, would limit out ability to bond with others and likely decrease our empathy. It would also make music less effective as a means of comfort or relief from depression, thus leading to feelings of isolation.

And what about those whose careers are intertwined with music? Your hosts - which include two music journalists and a musician/producer - consider what they might be doing without music.

Let's just say you wouldn't want them as your psychiatrist.