In the past, music was a powerful tool for storytelling, emotional expression and cultural preservation. The lyrics were meaningful, inspirational and carried profound messages. These lyrics shaped attitudes in society and served as motivation and encouragement to stand the test of time. However, today, it seems artists have strayed away from the path, their art of storytelling has taken a backseat to commercial trends. Many listeners keep complaining about how the current lyrics lack the depth and substance that once defined the industry.
One of the primary reasons for this decline is the shift in focus within the music industry. The focus of the songs has moved from storytelling and emotional connection to creating tracks to make it go viral in the wrong way and granting instant gratification.
Today, social media platforms and streaming services have developed a culture where the success of a song is determined by how quickly it becomes a trend or a dance challenge, rather than invoking emotions and meaning in the lyrics. As a result, many artists now prioritize catchy hooks and line repetition over producing meaningful messages.
Another factor that contributes to this trend is the changing audience preferences. Listeners, especially younger ones often move towards songs that provide an escape or fit seamlessly into their fast-paced lives. There is the demand to quickly provide entertaining content, and in some ways, has discouraged artists from investing their time in thoughtful lyricism.
In addition to this, the commodification of music has put pressure on artists to release tracks at a speed rate, not giving room to creatively process songs in a meaningful way. However, we shouldn't underestimate the power of impactful music. Songs that have meaningful lyrics can ignite change, provide solace and resonate with listeners on a deeper level.
Powerful lyrics can move generations, carrying timeless messages that influence culture and personal lives. Now the question would be: how can artists be encouraged to deliver and invest more effort into crafting impactful lyrics?
One way is through education and mentorship. There are great songwriters and producers with a good history of producing profound lyrics, these ones can mentor upcoming artists by teaching them the value of storytelling and how important it is to connect with the listeners (audience) on an emotional level. Music workshops and camps for songwriting should be provided, giving the new artists space to refine their skills and collaborate on meaningful projects.
Artists should be encouraged to recognize and focus on the long-term benefits of meaningful music rather than immediate gratification/short-term. They should be reminded how catchy songs might only dominate the charts for a moment, but songs with depth and substance often leave a lasting legacy.
They should be inspired by highlighting the careers of legendary musicians who have succeeded through impactful lyrics, such as Fela Kuti, Ebenezer Obey, Sunny Ade, Bob Marley, John Lennon, Whitney Houston, Tupac Shakur, and many others. This will motivate them to prioritise quality over fleeting trends.
The role of the audience too cannot be overlooked either. They must demand better content and appreciate artists who produce songs with meaningful lyrics. Also, listeners must be able to share and promote music that impacts, as this can create a shift in the industry.
In conclusion, the state of modern songwriting boils down to societal trends towards instant gratification and entertainment. Though this is understandable, it cannot be reversed. But through fostering a culture that prioritizes and values meaningful lyrics like mentorship, education, and audience demand, the artists can be inspired to create songs that not only entertain but also impact lives for generations to come.
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