What do the songs of our generation say about us?

In the late 60’s slash early 70’s lyrical content for songs was highly influenced by current affairs and social issues. Vietnam was a huge subject for song writers like the Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, and John Lennon as well as countless others. Artists during these decades seemed very involved and aware of social circumstances and it was apparent in the songs. “War,” by Edwinn Star addresses the subject directly by asking and answering the question, “War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing.” This is only one example of a plethora one could draw from. Today we have all sorts of song topics flying around the airwaves, but what exactly would an outsider conclude about our generation based on our lyrical content? What do the songs of our generation say about us?

Songs that hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 list in 2008 included titles like, “So What,” (Pink) “I Kissed A Girl,” (Katy Perry) “Love In This Club,” (Usher, Young Jeezy) and “Disturbia” (Rhianna). The titles alone are enough to make one question the social concern of today’s artists.  Flo Rida had the number one song of 2008, “Low.” The chorus of the song does nothing more than describe the clothing of dancers in a club and how, “Shawty got low,” and it is supported by verses concerning money, sex, and alcohol.

Songs today scream that the primary concerns of people anymore are self, sex, love, drugs, and money just to name a few. Rarely does a song make it to radio if it is about anything deep (excluding country radio). Artists today typically do not even write concerning the issues in the Middle East, or the destruction on 9/11, or the genocide in Darfur. Is it because we do not care or are not aware? Is it because these topics are too controversial to sell records? Is it because we are so consumed with self and pleasure that we ignore anything regarding something else? I truly believe that arguments can probably be made on both sides of this one; however, as an artist I am going to stand with my fellow song writers and say that we are aware and we do care and listeners are still concerned with social circumstances.

Organizations such as Live Aid, Rock the Vote, Live 8, and many others are all evidence that our generation is still aware of what is happening in the world. Even if the song content does not scream peace, love, freedom, or all those other political clichés, that does not prove us an apathetic age. I do, however, believe that based on our songs today it is possible to conclude that we are now more concerned with our own personal relationships and dealings in life than we are with the bigger picture. This is not necessarily a negative though because if people can be loving and peaceful in their own small world there is hope for the whole.