Music sends messages to its audiences through its lyrics. Much of todays music sends messages about how incredible it is to be rich, how women can be treated as objects, or the joys and sorrows of falling in or out of love. In the 60’s and 70’s however, a lot of music sent messages about artists view on social issues of the decades, like war. It is much more uncommon to see messages of social change in todays music.
Jack Johnson’s song “Cookie Jar” is about playing the blame game. He sings about how no one takes responsibility for their action, and about how there is always someone else to blame. Johnson sings about how we don’t take responsibility for our actions because we can blame the images we see, and that the media won’t take responsibility for the images, because he wasn’t the one who “came up with the plan”. Johnson points out this cycle that is so common in society today, that nothing is my fault.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66jpwLSxZrw
When I asked my father about a song he listened to about social change when he was young he immediately replied with “For What it’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield.
This song is about being aware of what is happening around you, and being critical of what we see, and speaking our minds despite resistance from authority. I think its extremely important for music to send messages like this. Spreading awareness that not everything we see or hear is correct, and the importance of being critical of the messages we receive daily.
-EM