Written: By: Anika Gurijala
Edited By: Raghvi Sethi
Most people will agree that they will listen to music because of the way it sounds. When hearing a tune or rhythm over and over again until you cannot stop tapping your foot means that such type of music is appealing to you. Aside from tapping your foot, lip syncing lyrics is another way to boost your daily vibes. People listen to songs over and over again and memorize the lyrics until they are embedded in their minds. With aimless memorization comes the lack of understanding and meaning. It would be like reciting words that are jumbled into strings of sentences and altering the pitch of your voice to match that of the songs. After all, music helps for that much needed dopamine release.
However, when you take time to understand what you're singing and reciting, the meaning of the song you’re listening to can change on numerous levels. The first level being the tune and the second being the overall message. There can be a number of levels – depending on how closely you relate with that song – but they all change, either negatively or positively, once you understand the meaning. An explanation for a negative understanding may be required but if you understand a message positively, it does not need justification.
Music Transcends Boundaries and Connects Everyone
When I say people listen to music, I mean ALL people listen to music. There are those sitting in the ER recovering from an accident, the women who just gave birth and want some form of release, people with eating disorders that want a hype tune to get their mind off things, and so many more people. Discussing the third point, the lyrics of a song can hurt when they are either targeted to the wrong audience or in fact just written in such a way to indirectly offend someone.
Many songs have lyrics that either promote body positivity or obstruct the minds of those trying to recover and understand it. A popular example would be from Meghan Trainor's famous song, All About That Bass. She sings the lyrics, “'Cause I got that boom boom that all the boys chase / And all the right junk in all the right places.” This song is all about promoting how women with bodies in different shapes and sizes can be accepted in the world. However, there are lyrics similar to this that show up in the song and can be interpreted in various other ways. It is important to note that this lyric could talk about how a woman fits into the ideal body type of a male preference or how a woman that struggles with maintaining a positive body image is just right.
Using Music To Heal
People with eating disorders who listen to these songs can interpret it differently, depending on the severity of their situation. Now there are songs like Beautiful by Alessia Keys that positively promote body positivity without contradicting lyrics and those are the songs artists should be aiming for. Even though Meghan Trainor has a powerful voice and impacts many young listeners, her attempts to promote a positive message through her lyrics can come across as offensive in some areas.
Listening to songs and different genres all each have their own impactful meaning. It only makes sense that listening to your preference of songs may bring you happiness. Although it is important that we support music with positive messages, artists express themselves differently through the music they write. Consequently, if you don’t align with the lyrics of a song, it may be a sign that it is not suitable for you and that you should look into better alternatives that satisfy you.
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