When Tipper Gore struck and her cadre of Washington wives held US Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) Senate hearings on putting warning labels on music that referenced drugs, violence or sex, I, of course, was opposed.
Anything that limits freedom of speech is an important issue to me. PMRC proponents, of course, said that is not what they were trying to do. They didn’t want to stop people from writing and producing such songs, merely inform parents which records (that kind of dates it) contained “offensive” material.
Opponents, of course, saw a much more nefarious underlying goal of censorship and erosion of the First Amendment.
The artists actually probably should have wanted to go along with it since a surefire way to get kids (or people in general) to want something is to have some group or another try to stifle it.
Look at the Last Temptation of Christ. It was a mediocre movie at best, probably destined for modest box office, but became the must-see movie of 1988 when the Catholic Church came out against it.
In any event, I am not going to advocate censorship of anything, but 25 (or so) years later, I can kind of see old Tipper’s point.
I’m personally not so concerned about explicit language or anything like that—“my anaconda don’t want none unless you got buns, hun” notwithstanding—what bothers me is the inanity of some lyrics. Take Sam Smith’s gigantic hit “Stay with Me.”
Guess it’s true, I’m not good at a one-night stand
But I still need love ‘cause I’m just a man
These nights never seem to go to plan
I don’t want you to leave, will you hold my hand?
Oh, won’t you stay with me?
‘Cause you’re all I need
This ain’t love, it’s clear to see
But darling, stay with me
Like, come on, gag me with a spoon.
I am not really the target audience for pop music, but there does seem to be an obsession with partying. Fun’s “We Are Young” is a great example of a combination of partying and inane lyrics. The worst part is the cliché chorus though.
Give me a second I
I need to get my story straight
My friends are in the bathroom
Getting higher than the Empire State
My lover she’s waiting for me
Just across the bar
My seats been taken by some sunglasses
Asking ‘bout a scar
And I know I gave it to you months ago
I know you’re trying to forget
But between the drinks and subtle things
The holes in my apologies
You know I’m trying hard to take it back
So if by the time the bar closes
And you feel like falling down
I’ll carry you home
Tonight
We are young
So let’s set the world on fire
We can burn brighter
Than the sun
Ugh.
And then there is the outright irresponsible such as Pitbull’s “Time of our lives” lyrics.
I knew my rent was gon’ be late about a week ago
I worked my ass off, but I still can’t pay it though
But I just got just enough
To get up in this club
Have me a good time, before my time is up
Hey, let’s get it now
Ooh I want the time of my life
Oh baby
Ooh give me the time of my life
Let’s get it now
So, instead of doing the responsible thing and go give his landlord whatever money he does have and try to negotiate some kind of arrange, he’s going to go out and get drunk. Hardly the kind of role model we would want influencing our children or grandchildren.
Celebrities don’t actually influence people, though, do they?
Once again, however, I am left with the only defensible position. I may not agree with what you say or believe, but I will fight to the death to defend your right to say or believe it no matter how stupid, inane, offensive or cliché I might find it.
