Ramblings
» The Purpose of Music
Whenever I'm being driven to school or am in need of a cure for boredom, I simply love taking out my MP3 player, because it's such a relaxing way to escape from the repetitive norms of everyday life. Most music-listeners probably agree with me on that point, too, as it's such a strong basis for why music is so great. It's cheaply-attained and satisfying, and it allows for us to express ourselves.
I understand music as something that's more than just a simple means with which you can keep in touch with society's latest trends. It's the soundtrack to life and is an important form of expression, and I believe that anyone who doesn't realize this in all its entirety is a wholly ignorant human being, not to sound harsh. 1 To me, music is essential and keeps me from going mentally insane from the stresses of school and life in general. Not only does it detour me from life's recurring stresses, but it also provides interesting lyrics that I can analyze in deep thought.
I honestly think that the lyrics are the best part--which is why I personally can't understand those people that merely listen to music just because it happens to feature a nice-sounding guitar in the background. If the background music is superb, I'll admit that I'll listen to it, regardless of the lyrics. However, that rarely ever happens, because most of today's music consists of the same drawn-out and recycled chords.
Today's "music" honestly fills me with depression and makes me lose hope for the industry. Instead of playing songs that are original and thought-provoking, radio stations feature music with lazy songwriting that attempts to fill people with the same emotions as last week's song. Artists resort to cheesy lyrics ("Hey There Delilah", anyone?) that appear "sweet" and "sensitive" to your average female teenager, but when analyzed in their entirety, they lack any thoughtful substance whatsoever. Either that, or the artists assume that having a "killer beat" makes up for their lack in actual talent.
I'm not trying to bash anyone who listens to today's mainstream music, and for clarification, neither am I trying to make myself appear superior to anyone else. I understand that it's unfair to generalize that everyone who listens to pop-music-without-substance falls into the category of "ignorant", because I get it--everyone has his differences in taste. However, the truth remains: if all you do is listen for catchy choruses and techno beats, you could potentially be missing out on something that might be especially valuable to you. And to me, anyone who knowingly disregards that fact is an ignorant human being.
If you completely forget everything else I've told you, it doesn't matter to me, as long as you simply remember this: Don't assume that all the music that MTV presents you is the only selection from which you can choose. If you want to find something truly quality, all you have to do is search around for a bit, and maybe you'll be able to find something that you'll love. Although it might take a while, believe me--it'll be worth it in the end.
1 I'm not implying that anyone who doesn't have an MP3 player or a favorite artist is ignorant, but rather, I'm trying to express that music, whether it be in the form of an old classical piece or a new indie rock band, is one of the most basic forms of expression. You don't have to like music necessarily, but you should at least be able to appreciate it and understand that it actually has an effect on the reasoning behind peoples' actions.