“Oh, turn it up! I love this song!” A teenage girl shouted over the already blaring music to her friends, who were in the front seats of the 2012 civic Honda, which was quickly followed by the newest chart-topper gaining volume.The girl’s smile broadened as she sang along off-key, off-pitch, but fully enjoying herself. Similarly, everybody has experienced tremendous joy at “The Sound of Music”, but that is only a relatively small part music plays in society today. The other roles music plays in culture today is that it encourages teenagers and promotes endless inspiration for all.
When the lyrics and the sound are just right, then the role music plays in culture is encouraging teenagers to work hard toward their goals, hopes, and dreams and boost their self-confidence. For example, the song “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy causes many teens to feel they can accomplish anything they set their minds-and hearts-to. With its thudding bass that matches hundreds of teenagers thudding hearts and meaningful lyrics such as,”You will remember me for centuries,” the song encourages them to do their best and to be remembered for accomplishing their dreams. In addition, some songs boost a teenager’s self-esteem, which is usually low for most teens. For example, the song “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson has made thousands of self-confidence lacking girls confidently proclaim, “I’m too hot.” Although this seems too little to make a difference, the phrase actually reinforces the idea that the teenagers are great the way they are, that they don’t need to change, and that they will always be good enough or attractive enough. Music therefore has a substantially positive impact on teenagers today.
Music also provides a bottomless well from which to draw inspiration for art and writing. For instance, an artist can simply be driving down an old highway, focusing on the road, and listening to the faintly playing music. A brand new, first-time-ever-heard-on-the-radio song comes on, and bang! The artist wishes he had a paintbrush in his hand and a canvas in front of him instead of a steering wheel. Creative ideas flow from music, prompting the same train of thought the musicians had when they were creating the song. Likewise, I have been listening to my favorite bands when a ginormous wave of inspiration slams into me, drowning me in possible ideas and thoughts. Music lights fires of creativity that lay dormant, smoldering, and just waiting to be reignited so that they can burn bright and produce a masterpiece. In this way, music opens up the door to a person’s creative side.
The song fades away into the cackle of the radio announcers voice, but the girl’s smile remains firmly in place. Music has an amazing impact in today’s culture, one which will only grow better with time. Don’t believe me? Just watch.