They used to call it "message music".
This label was applied to most songs that went beyond "let's party", or "love songs", which, let's face it, tend to probably be 90% or more of the subject matter in music with vocals.
Songs about poverty, war, discrimination, justice - these would get labeled as "message music". And while it may seem old school, it appears to me that we sure could use some of that "message music" these days.
But I haven't seen much offered from major label artists in this direction. I would think that there's certainly a market for it, when you stop and consider conditions around the world.
Maybe it's easier to focus on trying to help people forget about their troubles and provide them with a good time song, or something to make them feel good.
Writing "message music" doesn't have to be sad and dreary, although a lot of the problems that face most of us do fall into that category. But there can be songs about current events that are also empowering, and deliver a message of hope, while recognizing what's happening.
I'm working on a song about poverty. Now that's not a subject that tends to lend itself to a "hey let's all be happy" type of treatment. But I think it's a subject that should be addressed in all its facets.
Now, there have probably been plenty of rap songs that address poverty as the genesis of why one might be led to a life of crime and that's one way to handle the subject. But there are also lots of people who deal with poverty everyday and have not embarked on a career as a drug dealer, but go through each day being treated as if they're invisible by our society.
It's a difficult subject, and one that many may just not want to think about, but the rising levels of poverty make it more difficult to ignore in my opinion. So my writing about poverty is an attempt to encourage more discussion, generate some conversation, and maybe open up some space for people to consider those that we'd rather not see.
Maybe if enough artists take up the issue, it will force our elected officials to at least begin to talk about the poor. As things stand now, you rarely hear anyone talking about the poor. What you hear, is middle-class, and some talk of the rich, but the poor are largely treated as if they don't exist.
Now during election time, there's a bit of lip service paid to the poor, but the prevailing attitude appears to be that the poor don't vote, so don't waste any time on them.
But the poor are our Brothers, and Sisters and fellow human beings. And everyone deserves to live their life with some measure of dignity and respect.
The rhetoric of a rising tide lifting all boats doesn't work if your boat is filled with holes, or you don't have a boat to begin with.
I like to have a good time and feel happy as much as the next person. And maybe it feels good not to think about the poor, after all, they've always been with us, and there will probably always be poor people.
But if our society is judged by how we treat the least among us, then I fear that judgement will be harsh and unfeeling.
My songs are socially conscious, smoothed out R&B vibe, with Rock undertones and a Pop feel appeal. Get a free download of 3 songs at this link:
http://ez.leemanuel05.com/
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