3/31/2015

Raunchy Music A Reflection Of An Emerging Reality

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.

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.

Raunchy songs with its ability to incite intrigue and strong recall has undoubtedly grown enticing especially to the young generations. It would not even matter what countries are producing the said music. All songs or form of instrumental or vocal sounds are now easily shared through the power of information technology.

While others contend that lewd songs do nothing but destroy the lives of people through encouraging immoral, disrespecting women, and disrupting psychological and spiritual development, some justify that this type of song is one product of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights "Freedom of Expression". For some, sexually explicit songs are healthy ways of expressing the human sexuality.

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.

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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