Whatever happened to the good old days where music actually had a vital message that didn’t include drinking?
In a recent Atlantic article reporting on a study that outlined the relationship between binge drinking and music with references to drinking, researchers found a strong correlation between the references to drinking and actually pouring yourself a cup.
I mean, let’s think about this. Are there many songs on the radio anymore that don’t mention partying at all? Music has become a public advertisement for alcohol.
Lorde’s "Royals" would be the perfect example of this. The lyrics include “Grey Goose / Trippin' in the bathroom," and this song is a major hit. While Lorde critiques this culture of drinking, people could take these lyrics as an endorsement of that lifestyle.
But I don’t see the problem here. Music is a self-portrait. If these artists want to talk about alcohol and partying, let them.
I listen to music to be carefree and have fun. I don’t understand the big deal with people freaking out over music’s “message.”
Maybe the message is to simply have fun. It isn’t a crime for music to mention alcohol. It’s a part of our culture.
But the problem here is that many in the younger generation are taking this carefree message to binge-drink alcohol.
Now, whose responsibility is that? The artist or the person who listens?
Music is not meant to be taken literally unless stated otherwise.
Just because Miley Cyrus talks about taking lines in the bathroom does not mean you need to literally take a line in the bathroom.
I think people need to stop taking things literally where it becomes dangerous.
Music is meant to be enjoyed, not meant to be acted upon. Binge drinking should not have spiked because of a certain song lyric.
Music these days lacks a message, that is for sure. Your usual artists either talk about violence on the streets, real love or straight partying.
And honestly? That’s just fine with me. This is the generation and time in which we live, and when partying feeds music, the only thing that is out there is hardcore party music.
The thing is, this generation takes things too literally. Someone always puts words into actions, even when it’s not their own words. Music does not influence binge drinking. Rather, it’s the people who listen to music and feel the need to follow up with the artists' words, like taking a shot or a swig of your beer every time Kendrick Lamar says "drink" in "Swimming Pools."
Alcohol sales are probably up because this is a party generation. Music is just a background that is blamed, because there is no one else to blame for this stupid occurrence.
While alcohol branding may be at an all-time high with red Solo cups, Grey Goose and whatever else there is in lyrics these days, it’s not the artist's fault.
It’s not even the radio's fault. It’s solely the person who decides that the artist’s “message” is to go binge drink their life away when clearly, it’s not.
Reach the columnist at Tishni.Weerasinghe@asu.edu or follow her on Twitter @TishniW
Editor’s note: The opinions presented in this column are the author’s and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.
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