There are those who claim that music is solely for entertainment purposes while others feel it has larger societal implications. In my opinion, ostensibly most people listen to music for fun, however it still opens up pathways for fringe elements of society to become mainstream.
Those that argue for the narrower view of music can easily highlight the ways in which music is consumed today. People listen to music at parties, nightclubs, and weddings to dance and enjoy themselves. They listen using streaming services like YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify to relax throughout the average day. The end result of all that listening is not that individuals think deeply about the lyrics or in any way question their actions, attitudes, or prejudices. Moreso than narrative forms of entertainment like movies and books, music is almost purely for entertainment and rarely rises above the level of subconscious enjoyment.
While there is some truth to the argument above, music turns a positive spotlight on previously underrepresented demographic groups. People do not simply listen to music; they are also apt to follow and admire their favourite artists. One of the best examples of this is the championing of LGBT lifestyles. Elton John was an early example of an artist whose sexuality was fluid at a time when many viewed this behaviour as deviant. He did not come out as gay until much later but his influence on aspiring artists and the average listener was immense. Today, there are many artists who are openly gay and this not only reduces bigotry in general by undermining its logic but also inspires others to come out. A person listening to and following artists in any genre today accepts these once alternative lifestyles as the norm.
In conclusion, music has an important role to play in society by giving voice to previously silent groups. In the same way that music broke down racial barriers in the 20th century, the 21st century will be the century of inclusion.
There are those who claim that
music
is
solely
for entertainment purposes while others feel it has larger societal implications. In my opinion,
ostensibly
most
people
listen
to
music
for fun,
however
it
still
opens up pathways for fringe elements of society to become mainstream.
Those that argue for the narrower view of
music
can
easily
highlight the ways in which
music
is consumed
today
.
People
listen
to
music
at parties, nightclubs, and weddings to dance and enjoy themselves. They
listen
using streaming services like YouTube, Apple
Music
and Spotify to relax throughout the average day. The
end
result of all that listening is not that individuals
think
deeply
about the lyrics or in any way question their actions, attitudes, or prejudices.
Moreso
than narrative forms of entertainment like movies and books,
music
is almost
purely
for entertainment and rarely rises above the level of subconscious enjoyment.
While there is
some
truth to the argument above,
music
turns a
positive
spotlight on previously underrepresented demographic groups.
People
do not
simply
listen
to
music
; they are
also
apt to follow and admire their
favourite
artists
. One of the best examples of this is the championing of LGBT lifestyles. Elton John was an early example of an
artist
whose sexuality was fluid at a time when
many
viewed this
behaviour
as deviant. He did not
come
out as gay until much later
but
his influence on aspiring
artists
and the average listener was immense.
Today
, there are
many
artists
who are
openly
gay and this not
only
reduces
bigotry
in general
by undermining its logic
but
also
inspires others to
come
out. A person listening to and following
artists
in any genre
today
accepts
these once
alternative lifestyles as the norm.
In conclusion
,
music
has an
important
role to play in society by giving voice to previously silent groups.
In the same way
that
music
broke down racial barriers in the 20th century, the 21st century will be the century of inclusion.