Saturday, March 28, 2015

Raunchy Music And 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 undoubtedly influenced by many aspects surrounding the society, such as its way of life, its social and economic organization, its innermost beliefs, and aspirations. From the shamanistic songs of the ancient people to lure animals during hunting and to entertain by the mimic of the nature's sound using the human voice as a medium, to the Bunggul style of the Australian aborigines narrating their epic journeys, to the sacred liturgical chants during the medieval times, up to the modern popular songs of our time, instrumental or vocal sounds has been a way to entertain, communicate, express, and influence.

Dazzai Shundai, an accomplished musician or flutist in Japan during the Tokugawa Period or Edo Period (1603-1868) was one of the firsts who classified sounds as having two functions. He said that instrumental or vocal sound alone can improve and regulate the aspirations of a human heart, and that there are no other ways. Instrumental or vocal sounds for him can be a proper sound 'gagaku' or raunchy sound 'ingaku'.

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.

Societies now share songs instantly through the internet. It would not even matter which country or what society are producing lewd instrumental or vocal sound. Influences, either good and bad are now easily transferred.

Others perceive raunchy songs as a harmful tool to undermine the morale of the people by exposing children to pornography, enticing teenagers to premature sexual relations, disrespecting the integrity and virtue of women, and being spiritually destructive. Some contend that it is a product of "freedom of expression" in accordance to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that everyone is entitled to convey one's opinion without any interference.

The reality is that the world has now become more complex and beliefs are now varied. Raunchy song is a reflection of today's reality that many individuals are now more open about their sexuality. Censorship of instrumental or vocal sounds with sexually explicit lyrics and related videos that exhibit the same is near to impossible.

However, parents, educators, church leaders, and other concerned could always educate the vulnerable. They can be taught which kind of music they listen to. People can be critical minded in taking in influences they will adhere to.




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