The world of music lyrics has undergone a lot of changes in the last couple of decades. Introduction of new types of instruments and loud music and trashy lyrics with no meaning have made their way into this industry. This is an issue of utmost concern and interest for parents.
During the last few decades, lyrics have become extremely meaningless and explicit. There are mentions of words or relations with “sex, alcohol, violence, drugs. And foul mouth”. Sometimes lyrics can communicate messages which are harmful, health wise. Teenagers and young minds are exposed to such lyrics which is a cause for major threat in their thinking and developing personality. It is a concern in today’s environment. Pregnancy, drug use, injuries, homicide, suicide and sex have become part of the character of everyday life for many teens.
But we cannot deny the fact that music is very important in the life of teenagers. It shapes their identity and personality and defines there social and cultural boundaries. Researches have shown that teenagers spend major part of their hours in a week listening to music, at an average of 40 hours per week. One study has shown that if a child gets exposed and develops a taste for rock music, he is likely to be attentive to his peers and less to his parents.
However, there has been study that shows any relationship between violent lyrics and sexuality and adverse behavioral effects. One explanation to this can be lack of understanding the lyrics by teenage minds. They do not fully comprehend to what they are listening. Like, one study showed that only 30% of teenagers knew the lyrics to their favorite songs, and their comprehension varied greatly.
What we need today is more subtle and better lyrics which do not harm the society. Lyricists should understand their responsibility. And not only should those, even the music industry understand its role in shaping up the society for the upcoming generation.
Changing world of lyrics