Over the years, we have heard a lot about the depreciating quality of the lyrics in rap songs, and while doing so, critics have almost totally ignored all other song formats. It is assumed that rap songs are always the ones that have talk about murder, rape, guns, violence etc. There will be differing views on this, but over the years, I have heard many country songs that depict murder and rape as well. I know that one stark difference between rap songs and country songs is that rap songs usually glorify acts of violence and voice them as a part of life, whereas the tone in country songs is a bit mellow. Kenny Rogers has sung a few songs about rape, murders, gambling…and yesterday, i saw this tv concert by the Dixie Chicks, and one of the songs that they performed was titled Dear Earl. The song was the story of a guy named Earl, who routinely beats up his wife, and always uses excessive force with her. The song goes on to say that the wife finally gets a divorce from Earl, yet earl continues harassing and beating her. She perhaps moves out of town…and then with the help of some accomplice, kills Earl, dumps him in her car and ships off his body somewhere, and noone knows about it, because noone misses him.
Isnt this similar to what gangster rap does? Ok maybe the dixie chicks didnt use curse words and didnt talk about glorifying any negative behavior, but where do listeners draw the line? What brand of lyrics do they keep their kids away from, and what kind do they allow?
This is quite an issue for me coz I really enjoy listening to rap.
Recently I bought the eminem cd and the lyrics are like woahh...really really bad, a lot worse than anything I've heard in a long time. According to him, you're not supposed to take his lyrics seriously but I don't know coz he has some serious fans and ofcourse he can influence them through his lyrics. I'm still double-minded coz I enjoy the music and try not to listen to the words, but u cant help it can u. And he makes fun of Will Smith coz he doesn't swear.
As for Dixsie Chicks and the like, I'm sure they dont use offensive language and discriminatory terms?
Wait wait.
Wat are you defining violence as Akif?
Violence = the whole story on what the song is about? (like what dixsi chics sang about?)
Or, violence = nasty things to say?
Well it's simply entertainment right.
& some music artists can use the advantage to carry out a serious, significant message through their work. & i'm all for that.
Though, it's a matter on how they present it which ppl have a tiff about -- & that's why rap is kinda....labeled vulgar.
Honestly. You'd think that the listeners of the rap artists' work would get the songs' issues more without the deragoratory things in it so that the listeners can actually use their brain power & realize what is actually being sung about.
On a side note, take an example of this song sung by a Canadian alternative band...Our Lady Peace. They sing this song named "Thief" which is about being mentally disabled & you guessed it, it's like something/someone -- a theif -- has stolen someone's mind & who knows if what is lost can ever be regained...
Oh it's such a sad song & one can even cry over it..
The song itself isn't abusive at all. & neither are the lyrics. The words themselves (can) really really affect the listener.
& tht's what dixsi chics did. & thumbs up for them singing as such.
Kohal
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif
Dont you think there is a marked difference between the ‘Thief’ song u mentioned and the ‘Dear Earl’ song by the chicks? “Thief” as u said, is about stealing ones mind…would probably be more on the lines of being philosophical than anything else. But the dear earl song clearly narrates the story of a woman abused and raped by her husband, how she files a restraining order, gets a divorce, and he still attacks her. But then she goes ahead and kills him with the help of an accomplice, and dumps his body somewhere, never to be found.
I admit its still not as horrific as some rap lyrics, ala eminem, but the message is kinda awkward to me. Its basically saying that an abused person can take up arms and kill, and that person would be hailed as a hero. Yes, deep down we all feel we could kill people like earl, but we know its not the right way to go about it.
However, this was just one song. It doesnt taint dixie chicks reputation for me. Just that the lyrics of this one song in particular led me to speak out
yellow folks..
i hate rap.. and all rappers.. exception of willsmith n puffdaddy.. cause basically im a rock fan.. and im supportive to u on the thoughts tht music does influnce ppl.. n nothing more then rock hard rock heavy metal.. the music is brain damaging.. the lyrics.. well we dont really hav to mention them.. but as they r in states n all.. its part of thier very comon life style.. and haunts us cause we r not.. and i even avoide such rock songs aswell..
u must be knowing all druggies n all dark things happening under heavy rock cloud cover.. n so rap hip hop with bad lyrics is no problem as compared to tht..
u tell me cat woman akif kohal.. what kinda music would u like ur child to listen to somwhere in future? should nt we immune urselves b4? shouldnt u stop listening to eminem? or iron maidens or snoopy doogy..
but im still proud to say.. i love pak music much more.. well u know the bands n qawalis n classics.. hehe even my friend say.. man what music u listen to? not our age type.. but then i listen to make my mind relax and refresh.. not freaking culted or dark..
but in summary.. as this is a free world.. everyone has their options..
Gravity is not responsible for people falling in love
Re: Violent lyrics.
One should take lyrics for what they are, just lyrics, or a story. Anyone who is influenced by lyrics to a song is a moron to begin with. How are books or movies or video games any different than lyrics?