Essay/Term paper: The music of generation x

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Social Issues

The Music of Generation X


Since the beginning of time the human beings have adored the soothing
sounds of music. Music has affected the way people have behaved and dressed
throughout different periods of time. Different groups have been formed based
upon their preference in music. Take for an example in the music of my
generation, Generation X, there are several different groups oriented by music.
In Generation X punks, gangs, alternative people, ravers, hippies, and pop
rockers have all been labeled into groups by their preference of music. Music
has also affected people mentally, causing problems in society like suicide,
depression, hate/racism, violence, and drug addiction. I am about to examine
five different song lyrics of my generation to demonstrate the different tones
and concerns they convey onto society and my generation.
The first song I would like to analyze is "Jane Says" by Jane's
Addiction. The main theme in "Jane Says" is escaping drug use and addiction.
This song is basically set in a low class area. Jane is a girl who has had a
heroine addiction. Her personal boundaries have been invaded and she wants out
of the habit, "I'm gonna kick tomorrow…". She goes through depression and
withdrawal, "She gets mad/And she starts to cry." Then the songs continues by
talking about loneliness. Drug addiction is often the background for much of
the music in today's society. People tend to idolize famous people and when
they see or hear of their idols using drugs or drinking they follow the actions
of the famous people. Another song in which I am going to discuss is written by
The Smashing Pumpkins. "Tonight, tonight" is a song about growing up. The song
stresses the importance of time and how precious it is, "time is never time at
all/you can never ever leave without leaving a piece of youth/ and our lives are
forever changed/ we will never be the same." This song brings an opening light
to society and makes them feel good and at the same time depressed. The music
in our generation is real deep in it's tone, the feelings music can generate is
amazing. Say you are listening to a happy song your mood will genuinely be
happy, then say you heard a slow deep meaningful song your attitude will change
somewhat. However there is different music for different moods. "Tonight,
tonight," brings in the mood of peacefulness. This song as well as "Jane Says"
attracts the people in society who are considered to be alternative in their
behavior and lifestyle.
Next, I am going to examine a song by a band that reels in the social
group of the hippies. Phish is a band that has followers, just like the
recently fallen Grateful Dead had. Phish is mainly a band that sings happy
thoughts and tells stories through their music, like folk music with a twist.
"Fee" is a story about life, love, jealousy, and adventure. This song discusses
a life of a weasel named Fee, a gospel singer named Milly Grace and Floyd the
chimpanzee. Fee falls in love with Milly and Floyd is jealous, so Floyd knocks
Fee out and gets Milly who then kills Floyd and rescues Fee. In the terms of
socialization the behavior of Fee and Milly induces that of true love. In the
song Fee is also taking chances and he needs to sit back and analyze his life:

Oh, Fee, you're trying to live a life
That's completely free.
You're racing with the wind
You're flirting with death
So have a cup of coffee
And catch your breath.

This relates to society by showing that the life we lead is fast paced and we
never stop and take time to "catch your breath." We don't take time to think.
"What I Got" by Sublime is a song that was just recently released and
hit the charts at number one. This song describes the life I would say of an
average stereotypical Generation X life. The song shows how our generation is
like a roller coaster. The lives we lead our unpredictable. Socialism comes
into effect in this song by the way the song tells us to lead our lives. First
it says that everyone still has fun in times of trouble, "the moneys all gone,
but I got a dalmation and I can still get high, I can play the guitar like mofo
riot." The song then leads into companionship to not caring about values/norms
that society has set like, drugs, alcohol, and money problems.
The last song was just released last Wednesday. "Hope in a Hopeless
World," by Widespread Panic is a song that geniunely conveys the problems in
today's society. The title itself explains the behaviors of depression and loss
of reality. The song looks at the downfalls in our society and how things went
wrong. The line, "What ever happened to the Golden Rule?" says enough to
explain my thoughts. The Golden Rule in my opinion is a major norm in our
society, and with that out of the way everything is really unfriendly and
depressing. "Looking for hope in a hopeless world" explains that people are
trying to come out and have a life, but there are so many drawbacks that they
are often stuck. The song also says that you have to keep trying:

You've got to listen to the voice inside
Peace and love don't compromise
Time is passing by
Can't be standing still.

Music in Generation X has had more affect on society than any other
generation has had. More social groups have been formed and many more feelings
have been expressed through our music. Society is overall effected by music and
always will be.

s