At any given time one can take a look at the top 10 songs on the Billboard charts and see a pattern in the lyrics of the week's most popular songs. This week's Top Ten is no different. As I looked over the songs that were most popular with the public this past week I noticed one, kind of alarming thing...they are all about love; some sort of relationship. All the songs on the list said something to do with a significant other, a one night stand or somebody met in a club.
Lyrics such as:
"No matter what you say about love I keep coming back for more. Keep my hand in the fire. Sooner or later I get what I’m asking for"
-Jordin Sparks
"Well I’m not paralyzed But, I seem to be struck by you I want to make you move Because you’re standing still"
-Finger Eleven
"I like serious relationships and A girl like me don't stay single for long Cause everytime a boyfriend and I break up My world is crushed and I'm all alone"
-Fergie
"You and me together Through the days and nights I don't worry 'cause Everything's going to be alright"
-Alicia Keys
None of these lyrics are 'bad' in and of themseves. I happen to enjoy all these songs and none of them really send a negative message....but what exactly is the message that they send? Is it that love is amazing? Is it about relationships? Does it talk about how great it is to be single?
After talking to a friend yesterday about a relationship that she has been involved in I realized that our culture does not promote being single and independent. Movies and music both send young people the message that they should have some sort of significant other to be a 'complete person.' Most songs on the radio today are about love and relationships, sharing a story about being with someone or breaking up with somebody. True, relationships are a huge part of our lives, but I don't believe that anyone has to have a boyfriend or girlfriend to be complete. Many girls around my age today are incredibly insecure because they believe that society is telling them that they need a guy! The friend I was talking with was really frustrated with this concept... I believe that it's 150% ok to be independent! It's ok to do what you want! It's ok to have lots of friendships. You don't have to have a love interest to be a complete person!
So thanks music industry for your fabulous tunes....but how about more messages about being your own person? That you can be secure without a boyfriend....we need to start telling girls that it's ok to go through their teenage years without a guy by their side.
Lyrics such as:
"No matter what you say about love I keep coming back for more. Keep my hand in the fire. Sooner or later I get what I’m asking for"
-Jordin Sparks
"Well I’m not paralyzed But, I seem to be struck by you I want to make you move Because you’re standing still"
-Finger Eleven
"I like serious relationships and A girl like me don't stay single for long Cause everytime a boyfriend and I break up My world is crushed and I'm all alone"
-Fergie
"You and me together Through the days and nights I don't worry 'cause Everything's going to be alright"
-Alicia Keys
None of these lyrics are 'bad' in and of themseves. I happen to enjoy all these songs and none of them really send a negative message....but what exactly is the message that they send? Is it that love is amazing? Is it about relationships? Does it talk about how great it is to be single?
After talking to a friend yesterday about a relationship that she has been involved in I realized that our culture does not promote being single and independent. Movies and music both send young people the message that they should have some sort of significant other to be a 'complete person.' Most songs on the radio today are about love and relationships, sharing a story about being with someone or breaking up with somebody. True, relationships are a huge part of our lives, but I don't believe that anyone has to have a boyfriend or girlfriend to be complete. Many girls around my age today are incredibly insecure because they believe that society is telling them that they need a guy! The friend I was talking with was really frustrated with this concept... I believe that it's 150% ok to be independent! It's ok to do what you want! It's ok to have lots of friendships. You don't have to have a love interest to be a complete person!
So thanks music industry for your fabulous tunes....but how about more messages about being your own person? That you can be secure without a boyfriend....we need to start telling girls that it's ok to go through their teenage years without a guy by their side.
1 comment:
I really liked this entry. In fact, I completely relate to it and fought the urge to shout "AMEN!" out loud at several of your points. Before you lose all hope, I would like to share with you one of my favorite songs by Natasha Bedingfield:
I'm not waitin' around for a man to save me
(Cause I'm happy where I am)
Don't depend on a guy to validate me
(No no)
I don't need to be anyone's baby
(Is that so hard to understand?)
No I don't need another half to make me whole
Make your move if you want
Doesn't mean I will or won't
I'm free to make my mind up
You either got it or you don't
[Chorus:]
This is my current single status
My declaration of independence
There's no way I'm tradin' places
Right now a star's in reascendant
I'm single
(Right now)
That's how I wanna be
I'm single
(Right now)
That's how Im gonna be
So be inspired and motivated, because that's my dancing song. ha:)
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