When Music Speaks

Today I’m thinking about the influence of music on society.

I was listening to the song by the artist Logic speaking of suicide prevention, and I am so inspired by his work. The song is catchy, mainstream popular, and is easy to remember. It isn’t depressing in my opinion, but calls out to those suffering from depression and thinking of ending their lives by providing a suicide hotline number in the title of the song.

I think about the noble motive behind this song, and then I think of all of the music produced today that doesn’t have such a wonderful message. Don’t get me wrong- I don’t think that every song popularized today needs to be deeply moving, emotional, or honorable. Some of the catchiest songs I’ve ever heard are simple dance tunes or musical rhythms set to instruments with unimportant lyrics.

I suppose what I’m wishing is that more people would speak to positivity and reach out to those for help in their music. I think of all the songs I’ve heard touting drugs, alcohol, domestic violence, and illegal activities. And I know that many people partake in these kinds of things, but then I think of all of the people dying of drug overdoses, drunk driving accidents, and horrible acts of violence.

I wish today that we as a society would stop popularizing these songs that are touting some of the worst behaviors that human beings can participate in. I wonder why no one is investigating some of our most beloved rappers and music artists because they sing about crack, cocaine, and crime.

Now, I’m not blaming the music industry for some of society’s worst problems. Not at all. I’m simply wondering how society could be improved by changing the trajectory of the music industry from one of pure entertainment to on where influential art of substance is prevalent on our radio stations.

Seeing Logic’s song have commercial success and also provide a valuable public service in attempting to prevent suicide, I see the real impact music can make. I guess I just wish that more people were focused on helping others as opposed to spreading some of their worst behaviors to the people listening and looking up to the rich and famous making these tunes.

I think the world is a much better place with music- I just think we could work to make the music that we popularize have a more impactful, positive message. 

In honor of this wish of mine, I’d like to give you a few of my favorite songs that I think accomplish this goal:

I Am Not My Hair- by India Arie

Stupid Girls- by P!ink

Hear My Heart - by Andy Mineo

Gold - by Britt Nicole

1-800-273-8255 - by Logic (obviously lol)

Beautiful - by Christina Aguilera

Speak to a Girl by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill

Share some of your favorite, powerful, important songs in the comments below, and thanks for reading :)