What kinds of songs have filled the soundtrack of your life? How has the music you listen to communicated what’s permissible behavior in matters of lust, love and romance?
Thanks to my dad, I grew up listening to Frank Sinatra singing, The Way You Look Tonight and I’ve Got a Crush on You. Ella Fitzgerald’s sweet Love Is Here to Stay and Cheek to Cheek spun on the turntable. These kinds of lyrics, voices, orchestration, decibel level and composition influenced my relationships with women. The song’s messages acted like a governor on my base instincts. Most profoundly, the music treated lust, love and romance with reverence and sanctity.
By contrast, what kind of influence do popular tunes like Cardi B’s WAP and Drip, and Notorious B.I.G.’s Juicy and Love No Ho, have on impressionable young people?
Listen to these tunes. Read the lyrics. What kind of music would you prefer as the soundtrack of your kid’s life?
I acknowledge that many less debasing and obscene tunes have been popular in recent times. But, does a culture that deems racial slurs, cursing and degrading images acceptable, poison impressionable kid’s attitudes about lust, love and romance? Which soundtrack is more likely to move your kid in a happier, more respectful and loving direction?
What do you think?