Post by Kapitan on Aug 6, 2019 17:45:44 GMT
I wanted to raise a topic that I don’t have a definitive opinion about, but on which I’d really be curious as to your thoughts.
How much importance do you put on the message within the lyrics of pop (rock, folk, country, rap, etc.) music? Do you think they have a significant impact on the listeners, and maybe judge them harshly because of it? Or do you dismiss those kinds of concerns as being almost “get off my lawn” kind of prudish, old-person worries? Does it matter in what way they’re inappropriate? If you’re a parent, what course do you take on lyrics as relate to your kids’ music habits?
Growing up, my parents were right down the middle. On one hand, they were quick to notice their own parents’ concerns about their music (mostly mid 50s through early to mid 60s) and so they understood that’s just something parents worry about without much real cause for alarm. On the other hand, when things were particularly explicit, I do recall my mom complaining. (Whosever turn it was to wash dishes [according to our rotating chores schedule] got to choose music; I remember my mom asking whether we listened to Whitesnake JUST for the swearing … which was funny in that while I don’t recall the song she was complaining during, it had no swearing.)
I was thrilled as any young teen boy would be to feel transgressive, so I recall being thrilled when I listened to Guns n Roses, 2 Live Crew, or any other generally offensive lyrics. And I would have strongly objected to any suggestion that my behavior would be influenced by lyrics. (In fact I did fight back against that suggestion at every opportunity, taking it as an insult to my own intelligence.)
Maybe it’s just that I’m aging, but increasingly I do wonder how much lyrics impact culture. Not that any one type of music has cornered the market, but certain kinds of metal, a lot of rap, and no shortage of pop have lyrics that bother me a lot. Basically, glamorization of violence or antisocial behavior in general worries me a little. But am I just condescending to the listeners in the same way that I fought against when it was done to me some 30 years ago?
Fully cleaned up pop music seems entirely contrary to the point. The music is really mostly adolescent rebellion at its heart, and so Stryper or Petra just don’t work. But how far is too far? When is it risqué versus offensive? Or a therapeutic outlet versus a dangerous inspiration?
Was I wrong as a kid? Am I wrong now? Is it somewhere in between?
How much importance do you put on the message within the lyrics of pop (rock, folk, country, rap, etc.) music? Do you think they have a significant impact on the listeners, and maybe judge them harshly because of it? Or do you dismiss those kinds of concerns as being almost “get off my lawn” kind of prudish, old-person worries? Does it matter in what way they’re inappropriate? If you’re a parent, what course do you take on lyrics as relate to your kids’ music habits?
Growing up, my parents were right down the middle. On one hand, they were quick to notice their own parents’ concerns about their music (mostly mid 50s through early to mid 60s) and so they understood that’s just something parents worry about without much real cause for alarm. On the other hand, when things were particularly explicit, I do recall my mom complaining. (Whosever turn it was to wash dishes [according to our rotating chores schedule] got to choose music; I remember my mom asking whether we listened to Whitesnake JUST for the swearing … which was funny in that while I don’t recall the song she was complaining during, it had no swearing.)
I was thrilled as any young teen boy would be to feel transgressive, so I recall being thrilled when I listened to Guns n Roses, 2 Live Crew, or any other generally offensive lyrics. And I would have strongly objected to any suggestion that my behavior would be influenced by lyrics. (In fact I did fight back against that suggestion at every opportunity, taking it as an insult to my own intelligence.)
Maybe it’s just that I’m aging, but increasingly I do wonder how much lyrics impact culture. Not that any one type of music has cornered the market, but certain kinds of metal, a lot of rap, and no shortage of pop have lyrics that bother me a lot. Basically, glamorization of violence or antisocial behavior in general worries me a little. But am I just condescending to the listeners in the same way that I fought against when it was done to me some 30 years ago?
Fully cleaned up pop music seems entirely contrary to the point. The music is really mostly adolescent rebellion at its heart, and so Stryper or Petra just don’t work. But how far is too far? When is it risqué versus offensive? Or a therapeutic outlet versus a dangerous inspiration?
Was I wrong as a kid? Am I wrong now? Is it somewhere in between?