Is Today's Music Meaningful At All?
Photo by Cora Kuhlenbeck
Is Today’s Music Meaningful At All?
Yes, today’s Music is still meaningful.
Ella Heintz
Although many of the most memorable songs from previous decades are ones full of meaning and significance, there are countless meaningless songs similar to today’s “Old Town Road” from past decades. “Muskrat Love” by Captain and Tennille is a song that was popular in the ’70s. In case you aren’t convinced that this song is mindless based on the title alone, I will expose you to some of its lyrics. “Muskrat Suzie, Muskrat Sam, do the jitterbug out in Muskrat Land, and they shimmy... Sam is so skinny.” This song is unknown to many who grew up in later generations because it simply did not stand the test of time like many other ‘70s songs. But at the time of its release, it brought joy to many, and because listeners didn’t have to think too much about the lyrics, they could just dance and laugh along.
There are many songs similar to “Muskrat Love” that come out today, and those are the majority of songs that are played on radio stations. But that does not mean that all the music that comes out today is not meaningful. There are still many artists with great influence on the youth who write and produce songs about topics that are important and meaningful. These are the songs that those born in future generations will know, and will be used by adults to make comparisons and to show their children how music “these days” sucks.
Even songs like “Old Town Road”, are not all bad, with it being the most listened to song in the U.S. for 17 weeks in a row. Despite its foolish lyrics, it created unity and sparked creativity in listeners. Viral videos presenting people from a variety of places across the globe appeared all over social media throughout those many weeks. The song became one of the most streamed tracks in history, which accounts for the number of kids that knew the words.
He came to the school after seeing a viral video of the students dancing and singing along to his song. Because of the infection joy and excitement of the kids, Lil Nas X decided to surprise the kids with a mini concert in their school’s gymnasium.
There are also still many songs, even ones on the radio, that preach good values.
No, today’s music is not meaningful.
Emma Hartman
Today’s music is no longer as meaningful as it used to be. Music began being recorded in 1877, and the first device to record music was a mechanical phonograph cylinder that was invented by Thomas Edison. Since then, music has grown massively to become something that is a part of many peoples’ everyday lives.
Music has the power to join people together, create memories, and even teach people. However, today’s music is not as meaningful as it used to be.
In 1901, “We Shall Overcome” was first published with lyrics. It began as a song that slaves sang in the fields while they worked. The song moved on to become the anthem of the African American civil rights movement during both the 20th and 21st centuries. People sang this song during protests, marches, and gatherings.
The lyrics are full of hope and give a feeling of unity. “We shall overcome, We shall overcome, We shall overcome someday. Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe We shall overcome, someday. We'll walk hand in hand, We'll walk hand in hand, We'll walk hand in hand, some day.”
This optimistic song not only provided comfort and faith to those struggling for equality, but it was also thought of as a promise by many. People sang this to show that they would keep fighting until they got their freedom, no matter what. The lyrics said that someday, they would be free, and until then, they would persevere together.
“We Shall Overcome” was not only sung in America, but also in North Korea, Beirut, and South Africa. John Lewis, currently a Congressman in Georgia, joined the Civil Rights movement when he was a teenager. “We Shall Overcome,” he claims, “gave you a sense of faith, a sense of strength, to continue to struggle, to continue to push on. And you would lose your sense of fear.”
A song this powerful has immense meaning. It brought reassurance, consolation, and promise. It has encouraged many people to keep persisting in battles for justice. Music that had the power to bring people together and inspire them to carry on is much more significant than most music today. This year, “Old Town Road,” sung by Lil Nas X, was the number one single in America for 17 weeks. It officially broke the record for being the longest-running song as number one on Billboard in American history.
Lil Nas X wrote this song when he was living with his sister after dropping out of college. “I felt like a loner cowboy. I wanted to take my horse to the Old Town Road and run away. The horse is like a car. The Old Town Road, it’s like a path to success.”
However, the lyrics of this rap don’t quite seem to fit this message. “Ridin' on a tractor, Lean all in my bladder, Cheated on my baby, You can go and ask her.” These lyrics aren’t full of hope and faith like the lyrics of “We Shall Overcome.” They promote negative behavior and they don’t even make complete sense.
Despite this, “Old Town Road” was still the most listened to song in America for 17 whole weeks. It is not a song that has the power to bring people together or motivate them to fight for change. It doesn’t teach people anything. Music from present day like “Old Town Road” is not meaningful like music in the past.
Modern music doesn’t have the same power that music in the past has had. It no longer teaches good values or unites people in common causes. It has grown to lose its value and isn’t as meaningful as it used to be.
