As time marches on, change will certainly follow. Governments, opinions, and even entire cultures are subject to change. As changes are conducted, their many influences must be analyzed to pinpoint just how much they affect the cultural world. Of these cultural changes, music always encounters with significant evolutions both in the way that it is played and the meaning that the songs convey. When looking at the music of the 1970's to present day ,many differences can heard; whether the changes are for better or worse is a matter of opinion.
During the 70's, the most popular genres of music were Disco/Club, Progressive Rock, Punk Rock/New Wave, Funk, and Soul, though the 1970's are typically associated with the age of Disco, as many were influenced by that genre. Disco during the 70's was known best in club and party scene, whereas Progressive Rock was known for having deeper philosophical lyrics and dense metaphors. When you add the other genres of the decade to the equation, it can been seen, or rather heard, that Punk and New Wave conveyed, through deep, damp rifts, the damage of society; where Funk and Soul was best known for its smooth psychedelic melodies, and called for a more contentious societal awareness.
In the 80's, the most popular genres of music were Pop, Hip Hop/Rap, New Wave, and Hair Metal. During this time, MTV was created, aiding many musical genres by playing nothing but music videos and creating a new way to rise to fame. The music culture in the 1980's was significantly influenced by Hair Metal, Rap, and Hip Hop, as these genres were almost entirely new to society. Through heavy rifts and its concentration on drugs and women, Hair Metal would begin to make its mark on history; whereas Hip Hop and Rap were conducted with elaborate rhymes and an underlying message in each song. With the emergence of groups such as Metallica, Anthrax, and NWA, musical culture would begin to take a whole new shape.
As the 90's arrived, so too did new forms of music. Dominated by the genres of Pop, Rock, Metal, and Punk Rock, the 1990's were an age of true musical evolution. As even more genres began to branch from the more popular forms of music, including standalone genres such as Grunge, Thrash Metal, Hard Rock, many others found their place in society. It was through music that important questions were asked and messages were conveyed. Many heavier groups, such as Megadeth, began to underlie their lyrics with sociopolitical undertones that questioned the government of the time. It is through these various new genres that music would begin to change society.
While peering in present day music, it can be seen that many changes have come to both music and how it effects society. Present time genres range from Hip-Hop to Pop and Hard Rock, though many other genres branch from these, making music quite diverse. Music during our present time influences society and usually contains sexual undertones in the lyrics. Many musical artists today have abandoned the use of philosophical lyrics and diverse metaphors. Attraction to this new generation of music is derived manly through the way that it sounds and as a social statement. Genres of music will continue to evolve through time to fit into present day society, following the trends of what people crave to listen to.
