After playing the song Something Just like This, I asked a group of Grade 6-8 students what mood they heard.
One Grade 6 student eagerly raised her hand and blurted out: “Happy song! …no wait… Sad song! …no wait… The song starts sad and then becomes happy!”
Her mind rapidly processed the emotions she had just heard coming from both the music and the words. Finally she found a way to articulate an answer that she felt adequately fit the song. And her answer began an incredibly beautiful conversation with her peers about shame and unconditional love.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM7MFYoylVs]
Questions lead to meaningful conversations by opening our eyes to nuances and complexities found within the simplest pop music. These conversations can occur with family, friends, and wider community and are the first steps of developing cultural discernment.
Without questions, we unconsciously consume whatever is placed in front of us by profit-motivated music companies. One student described her generation being in “a sort of sleep” to the culture around them. Without questions, we either quickly condemn a song as unworthy noise or idolize it for a short while until we’ve consumed it to death. Without questions, we don’t experience the richness of dialoguing with our families, friends, or faith communities.
I believe teachers and church leaders are responsible for helping our youth navigate culture. This task can seem daunting as culture changes at a frenetic pace. Fortunately, we all are capable of asking good questions. Unsure what to ask? Here are five questions that I find helpful.
1. WHAT IS THE MOOD OF THE SONG?
Music can change how we feel. Before a song, we might feel sad but hearing it may make us feel happier. Knowing how a song changes our emotions helps us understand when the song may be helpful or harmful.
2. WHAT PART OF THE SONG IS STUCK IN YOUR MEMORY?
A well-written song leaves us with a melody or lyric looping in our memory. Our life experiences can shape which part of a song impacts us the most and we learn more about ourselves and the song if we ask why.
3. WHY DO YOU THINK THE ARTIST WROTE THE SONG?
Artists are motivated to write music for a variety of reasons including money and fame. They may also want to share an idea, process their emotions, and even encourage fans who face similar life experiences as the artist. Knowing what the artist hopes to accomplish with their song helps shape our understanding of the song.
4. HOW ARE OTHERS AROUND YOU EXPERIENCING THE SONG?
Certain songs can divide people based on gender, sexuality, race, class, or religion. People around us may feel uncomfortable when they hear the song and some may even feel silenced and unsafe. Seeing how the song impacts our entire community helps us decide how to respond.
5. HOW DOES THE THEME OF THE SONG AND YOUR VALUES COMPARE?
Most songs explore a theme or topic and we benefit when we compare a song’s theme with our values. For example, if you are seeking to live by Christian values, how does the song agree or disagree with the values you find from the Bible and the teachings of Jesus.
These questions will open up the conversation and slow down judgement so that both adults and children can learn the nuances of popular music. Songs that might quickly be condemned are seen in a new light, and others that are thought to be harmless, begin to show some of the underlying harm they cause. Email Micah for more resources if you are curious about how to get these conversation going in your family or at your church and school.