How Lyrics in a song can change People

Music in our culture

• Free speech and artistic license are basic rights
• Americans listen to an average of 32 hours of music a week

Science of music

• Some of the music today can have negative messages
• Over time negative themes presented in songs can be seen as social norms

Jack R. Christianson

• “I’m not going to say that if you listen to ‘bad’ lyrics you’re going to go out and do what the lyrics suggest, but the dominating thoughts that you have in your mind are what drive your behaviors. The music allows you to remember the lyric.”

Vietnam War

• The American people were mostly either in support of the war or just didn't care
• Artists like Edwin Starr and Bob Dylan started writing songs that condemned the Government and the Military

Remember...

• The wrong things should not be seen as social norms
• What you listen to can can change your entire personality over time

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