No matter what language we speak, music is a universal dialect that we can all understand and relate to.
Are you going on a long road trip and want a playlist that can keep you from dying of boredom? Your favorite songs are almost guaranteed to put a smile on your face and they'll have you singing every lyric. Need to cry? “Amnesia" by 5 Seconds of Summer is sure to do the trick. Music has a way of saying exactly what we are thinking and putting it much more elegantly than we could ever do for ourselves. One romantic gesture that has not gone out of style is making a playlist for someone you fancy. Obviously, this has evolved from taking the form of tapes to mixed CD's to a playlist for your iPod. Girls fall for this all the time. Nothing can bring a smile to my face faster than someone saying that a cute song reminds them of me.
But let's take a step back. We can use music to send a pretty strong message, but the problem with modern love songs is that society has given male and female artists certain expectations and the way we hear songs can completely change depending on the gender of the singer. One of the biggest issues in the media lately has been the debate about feminism and equal rights for men and women. Feminists do not argue for equality just in the workforce, but also in the way women are viewed in society. When Taylor Swift slyly dissed her ex- Harry Styles at the 2013 VMAs, it was the end of the world. But, when Sam Smith credits his ex- for being his inspiration for writing his album, no one says a negative word but instead praises his lyrical genius. In the song “The Man Who Can't Be Moved" by The Script, the lead singer goes on to talk about how he will not budge from the spot he first met his former love until she comes back to him. If a female were to sing like this, she would be a “psycho" or just plain “crazy".
The video for Miley Cyrus' “Wrecking Ball" caused controversy not only because of the content but because of the message she sent to her ex-fiancée, Liam Hemsworth. Women are to assume the role of scorned ex-lover while men get to be the underdog hero begging for his woman back. We don't know the real story here! While Keith Urban is imagining you somewhere in his car with him, maybe you are with your new boy toy because Keith cheated on you and that's why you're 'never coming back'. Not all songs and singers follow this trend, however. I was always slightly disturbed by the song “Redneck Crazy," in which male artist Tyler Farr sings about essentially stalking his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend. We also cannot forget about one of the best love songs of all time, “I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston. This timeless classic is known and adored by many.
So what are we doing when we're listening to the radio? Are we subconsciously passing judgement on all of the singers and songs that we hear?
It's time to take back control of the Billboard Top 100 and take into consideration what is really important, the song itself. What first draws your attention when listening to the radio is probably something catchy that has a good beat. When we peel that away, all we are left with is the lyrics. People like to use their music taste as a way to one up other people; that by listening to songs that are deep and meaningful, they become automatically smarter and more sophisticated. Update: listening to bubble gum pop and boybands does not make you any less intelligent than people who strictly listen to Ed Sheeran or The Lumineers. Listening to A Day To Remember doesn't make you any more hardcore than someone who adores Paramore. What we need to see is that female and male artists should be put on the same level and the message that we should be getting from them is the same, no matter who is singing. If I have learned anything from music and pop culture, it is that we should not hold back because of fear that people won't like what we have to say. The same goes for singers. Society has to look at what they sing for what the message is, not for who the singer is. There will always be exceptions, like the artists who are just in it to make a hot club beat and actually don't care about lyrical value at all, but those type of singers aren't the ones under as much scrutiny.
The next time you go to pass judgement and call a female singer crazy, think of how you would feel if it was your favorite male artist singing the same song. Still have the same opinion? I doubt it. Music speaks to different people in different ways, but the point is all the same. Artists strive to reach out to people and touch them with their vocals and do what makes them happy, which is recording and performing for an audience. That is what should really matter in the end.
