The Evolution Of Music: How Commercialization Changed The Game

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Have you ever wondered why many people prefer listening to old songs over new ones- 21st-century songs? Why do you think the lyrics to most songs are nothing compared to what they used to be? Growing up, my mom often listened to old songs. Popular songs were on the lips of everyone when she was much younger. Among all the songs, one of the favorites is Dolly Parton’s Coat Of Many Colors. At first, I didn't know why I liked this song. I found it difficult to wrap my head around why the song always evoked different emotions in me, made my heart shiver, and filled me with euphoria to the brim. However, I eventually realized that it is the lyrics that make it special. Have you ever listened to a song and started to picture vivid images based on the lyrics? That is what Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors does to me. During Christmas, it was like our family’s tradition to listen to Bonny M’s songs. Lyrically, these songs are the greatest of all time. Sadly, we don’t get to hear songs like those anymore.

Times have changed. These days, the lyrics to most songs are nothing compared to what they used to be. We are in the 21st century, where technology has taken over almost every aspect, if not all, not leaving behind the music industry. Today, there are so many music platforms, musical instruments, and different things that could make songs lyrically endearing and more pleasing to the ear. The irony? Despite that we are in an era where music could be lyrically at its best, it is surprising that they lack meaning and depth.

Relating this to what my lecturer taught us in class; according to him, the modern era is a period of monumental changes. Mankind experienced/is experiencing changes that they have never seen before. There is a shift in the old ways, to new and confusing ways. Let’s take the United States and the United Kingdom as a case study. Over there, artists take their songs to heart. You see older people still singing and remaining loyal to a particular band. That's because they genuinely care about music, not doing it for monetary gain. One of the reasons the lyrics to most songs are nothing compared to what they used to be is that the music industry cares about monetary gain. They prioritize money over meaningful lyrics.

Nowadays, artists go for trending things, instead of meaningful lyrics. They know that if they go for the latter, they won’t make as much money. Using Nigerian musicians as a case study. Lyrics to songs are not what they used to be. Of course, there are still some good songs, but most of them are just commercialized music. When I was much younger, I grew up listening to Psquare (when they were still together), Dbanj, and many others. These songs made hits. Sometimes, I find myself craving these songs, and on those days, I put them on repeat till I get tired. Can you compare Psquare songs to Portable songs? Not. That'd be utterly ridiculous. Gone are those days when songs were didactic. Musicians cared about the impact of their songs on the audience, rather than the monetary gains. Again, I don’t want to give off the impression that I think modern songs are completely meaningless. No, I am of the school of thought that although there are some lyrically meaningful songs, most of them lack depth and meaning.

First off, in my opinion, we have gone too deep into the modern era. It will take a lot to change the trends in the music industry. One of the ways we can encourage artists to create meaningful music is to give them our undiluted feedback. These musicians need to hear the truth. They need to know that their lyrics are nothing to write home about. But, the big question is will they change? Again, we are too deep into the modern era. Most of these artists only care about their pockets. They care about how their songs will help them buy the latest cars and build big houses, not about the impact of their songs on the audience. It'd be difficult for artists to start producing meaningful songs just because you tell them the truth. I mean, if the truth will not put more money in their pockets, I'm not sure they’ll go for it. Still, it wouldn't hurt to try.

Thanks for reading.