Where is music going?

I was sitting and listening to music this morning, and I realized that music is just another way that each generation leaves it mark in time. Each culture has its own contribution.

In the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, there was a lot of love and togetherness among couples if the music was any indication.  The desire to grow and to build a family. To have your slice of pie to eat.

There were also a lot of revolutionary events that took place that needed to be spoken about. When you didn’t have that access in the world to get your point across, the artists took it upon themselves to speak for the people thru the music. And it helped to a degree.

As we walked into the 80’s and 90’s, we became more vocal as a community. Rap music really began to take shape along with Metal, Punk , and Rock. Everyone had their form of self-expression. Genres even mixed on classics at that time. One being Run D.M.C. and Aerosmith’s, “Walk this way.”

The new singers and their declarations of love were like a breath of fresh air. Fight for love! Women and men. It was a beautiful thing. Many children have been conceived on many of these favorite makeup to break up songs.

There’s nothing like having a sweet voice to explain your feelings for you while you stare into your loved ones’ eyes. Kinda seals the deal.

But you didn’t have all love during this time. Music also expressed the frustrations that many of us felt. Whether it gave you the willpower to fight thru another day or the voice that you needed to speak up for yourself, music was there for whatever we needed.

Music during this time also showed another way of life. A chance to go from being poor and hungry to being rich beyond your desire. The chance to tell your story and to have others relate to your every word. This is a power in itself. A power that should always be understood and protected.

As I look at the footprint that’s being left right now, I wonder, am I just being like my parents were with my music or is music in itself in trouble?

The parents and grandparents around right now may slip a disc trying to pull out one of those classic dance moves. All in fun, right? Singing along, having a wonderful time.

In 50 or 60 years, playing music in the local nursing home based on today’s climate, how will that work? Arthritis has set in so you can’t throw your set signs like that. Will they be hooking their fingers in their mouths to show off their dentures?

There has to be some positive movement forward to encourage the youth to thrive for greatness. I’m sorry, but if I had a 7 year old daughter right now, I would be lost. Where are the kid groups? Who do these babies have? We are leaving them subject to listening to what we listen to, and that’s not necessarily the best for them to be hearing.

So in a few years, you’ll have a preteen with a questionable outlook on life if we base it strictly on the music. Life is more than having a man fly you out and spend money on you. Life is more than you taking that money and making yourself look like every other girl in the world. But this is what they see.

I just wanna be that old head in the back of the nursing home, laughing at all the crazy shaped bodies that walk in and try to pick out what surgeries they had. All while listening to the best of the 90’s in my earpods.

Jacki3