Thursday, April 2, 2015

Raunchy Music And Its Take In The Society

By Iva Cannon


Once there is a society, there is also music. Every recognized culture and even those that are unknown and are in the isolated places have their own form of human expression through the use of sounds such as raunchy music. Long before the dispersal of humans in the world, from the prehistoric time, and until this very day, instrumental or vocal sounds have always been in existence.

Music is a reflection of many aspects in a certain society; from its way of life, social and economic make up, and the people's innermost belief and aspirations. Tracing back to the ancient people's shamanistic music as they lure animals and entertain themselves through creative mimic of nature's sound, to the Aborigines of Australia's use of Bunggul songs as they narrate epic journeys, to the church people's Gregorian chant in Medieval Europe, down to the modern world's popular sounds. Instrumental or vocal sound has always been a medium to entertain, communicate, express, and influence reality as they knew it.

One of the earliest classification of songs based on its propriety was made during the Tokugawa Period or Edo Period in Japan that lasted from 1603-1868. Dazzai Shundai, an accomplished flutist of that time described the unique functions of songs by saying: "It is music alone that can regulate and improve the heart; other techniques cannot do this". He added that instrumental or vocal sounds can either have positive or negative effects. He argued that it must be "gagaku" or proper sound and not "ingaku" or raunchy ones.

While proper instrumental or vocal sounds can improve the custom of the people, sexually explicit and energetically earthy ones can destroy the morale of the people. Nevertheless, raunchy sounds which are sexually explicit, uninhibited, and vulgar has long penetrated many societies. This is due to the fact that popular music industry emerged with focus on the marketability of the song.

Sexually explicit and energetically earthy songs with its innate ability for scandal, and ability for strong song recall is becoming popular most especially to the young ones. Regardless of which country or city a song has been produced, raunchy songs can easily be shared through increase of its availability due to the emergence of information technology. In a click, videos can be shared and music can be downloaded, as all the other information.

While some perceive raunchy songs as offensive and detrimental to human spirituality, sexual maturation, and morale, others argue that it is an expression of sexuality that cannot be interfered in accordance to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Whether which of both advocacies is more weighty, does not really matter.

The important thing now is not which of the two contending stands is correct and is to be heard. The reality is that the emergence of lewd songs, comparable to that of the past, is a reflection of the culture and realities of the societies concerned. Lewd music exists because the culture of sexual liberation is present.

The world has revolved through time into many subcultures with different realities. What remains to be done is for the people to develop critical mindedness on choosing the type of music they choose to listen to and to be influenced with. Parents, educators, and other persons of authority can teach this to protect those who needs protecting.




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