Soulful Imagination vs Stupid Gratification

I love music, it is such a powerful force, like a wild river that flows in a flow that speaks to the heart. Beethoven once said "Music is the mediator between the spiritual and earthly life." Nowadays there is more opportunity then ever before to find great songs in multiple genres and types of music within each genre. That said a lot of music is also shallow and cheaply made, appealing to a instant gratification of just feeling good and not leaving a lasting mark on the mind or soul. If you turn on the radio chances are almost all the songs you will hear are songs about having a good time, often littered with sensual themes. As many conservative parents warned in the 70s and 80s the music industry is filled with songs about sex, drugs, and debauchery. That said not all rock songs from that era were necessary morally compromised and even Pope John Paul the Second enjoyed rock music. There were some important and soul filled great works that came out in that era, as well as some fun casual songs that are very entertaining. Yet I feel like as a whole most of the music of the bygone 80s was cheap thrill anthems. The music I what to address in the deep, raw songs that speak to the very soul of man. I love rock, and hard rock is my favorite type of music, but most of the rock music that I feel is the most impactful and well written is actually relatively modern.

I often hear things coming from older people like, music today require no skill, and the classics can never be replicated. Others who enjoyed the classic rock era of the past refuse to admit that any "modern music" is good. But I totally disagree. We are living in the golden age of music There are thousands of epic intermetal soundtracks out there that are great works of art that use technology that the likes of Mozart could not fathom. I am not trying to say that the writers of these songs are more talented then Mozart, but objectively I believe that they are making music that could not even be imagined back then. If you don't believe me just look up what the classical music of years past sounded like with period interments vs a modern mix of Canon in D. Or listen to a modern film soundtrack vs one form the 50s. There is no shame in saying that technology has made music better. And there are some truly great artists out there.

That is not to say I still don't think most artists especially country and pop stars are absolutely horrible. When I think of bad music I think of the likes of Katy Perry, and Taylor Swift, who thrive off of blind following and unwavering radio playtime no matter how bad it gets. In a nutshell, most radio songs appeal to a shallow audience of immature teens and adults who never grew up. Whether its rap, pop, or alternate, the music just seems dead. And that is the point and it always gives two messages. Like the notorious song Everything is Awesome, the first message is that there is no bad in the world and that there is no need to lament anything or fight evil, because evil is nonexistent. You can do whatever you want, even if you are told it's wrong. Country and pop songs are notorious for glorifying drunkenness and drinking is treated like a game, with the winner the guy with the highest tally of empty beer cans. Promiscuity is just the norm in the pop music world, and immorality as fun. and drugs and sex are the staples of mainstream rap. With all these heavy topics you would think that these songs are deep, but they are not by any means   

So why are these songs stupid? Mabey it's because they are lacking truth. I don't care how talented you are, if your music lacks truth it's garbage. Drugs, alcoholism, and a distorted sex are things that destroy people, and these songs teat it like it is no big deal, it's just entertainment. I worked with a guy who would often listen to rap that was almost all profanity. Once I asked him if he ever listened to the rapper NF. NF is a rarity in the rap world as he does not do drugs, drink, or use profanity in his music. His music is seen as so benign that it is even sold at Christian music stores. I was shocked when my coworker said to me. "I like NF, it's pretty good but it's a bit to dark for me." To understand why anyone would say this we have to dive deeper then the surface.  NF does not write happy music about debauchery, he writes songs about the consequences of immorality and real pain. His mom died of a drug overdoes and his music often contains references to how drugs and alcohol took her away from him. He also often sings about fighting his depression and anxiety and at time is quite melancholy. 

Even rap songs filled with every profanity imaginable are not as heavy as a realistic acknowledgment of the truth. It makes people uncomfortable that there might be actually consciences to their actions, and chances are they are living in them. They see music as a why to escape from their problems but that is not what music is for. Music is supposed to be a powerful force that confronts them and makes them ponder the direction of life. In the sobering words of rocker John Cooper, “People are told by celebrities and movies and songs that every day is going to be the best day of my life, and social media has created this thing where we’re constantly seeing everyone’s perfect life. But suicide rates have gone up, and rates of depression. Life is not going to be grand, it’s going to be hard, and sometimes it’s really ugly. But there is hope.” Similarly, the rock band Breaking Benjamin uses raw lyrics paired with hunting instrumentals in their song Far Away. "When the broken fall alive Let the light take me too When the waters turn to fire Heaven, please, let me through Far away, far away Sorrow has left me here Far away, far away Let the light take me in."  In a surprise twist that few saw coming, the rap/country star Jelly Roll has released some very powerful songs that are big hits on the radio. 

In the song Need a Favor he delivers the gut punch that most people deep down know is so often true for all of us at some point or another, I only talk to God when I need a favor And I only pray when I ain't got a prayer So who the hell am I, who the hell am I to expect a savior, oh If I only talk to God when I need a favor? But, God, I need a favor."  Compare that to these lyrics in the Beyonce song Run the World.  My persuasion can build a nation Endless power, with our love we can devour You'll do anything for me Who run the world? Girls! Girls!. I don't think anything more needs to be said, the songs speak for themselves.