And the People’s Choice Award Goes to...

By Adriane Dorr

Teenagers love music. They use it to rebel against authority. They talk about it with their friends. They turn it up to unhealthy decibels when they’re mad. Parents listen to their children talk about musicians as if they’re speaking a foreign language, unable to tell the difference between the Backstreet Boys and Black-Eyed Peas, between 50 Cent and the Foo Fighters. They watch in dismay as Big & Rich appear on TV with Cowboy Troy, the hick-hop rapper, and a midget with a crutch called Two Foot Fred who randomly dances around stage. And they don’t even pretend to understand why their kids don’t know whether to call Sean Combs Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, or just Diddy.

Higher Things readers were given the chance to voice their opinions about music on the online forum (http://forum.higherthings.org/). They were also able to vote for the genre of music they like best. Half of those who voted listen to pop music almost exclusively. Country was the next favorite, while classical, oldies, and religious styles of music appeared to entertain only a smattering. Apparently playing Gwen Stefani’s “Luxurious” on the organ doesn’t quite have the same effect. While some don’t really have a favorite artist, like Higher Things reader DoRena, others prefer bands that range from Blue Rodeo to Audioslave. Most of the readers wrote that they singled out these bands because they could relate to their style or lyrics. Lauren picked her favorite group based on the quality of the sound, especially “upbeat and funky music that makes me want to dance,” while Seth prefers good lyrics that “are very poetic and deep, and speak about current events, personal things that have happened in the writer’s life, and simply songs that express joy, anger, helplessness, and love.”

Besides having a favorite band, most readers also found a song they couldn’t get enough of, and most were also from the pop genre. Anna enjoyed “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers, Rae liked “This is How a Heart Breaks” by Rob Thomas, and Heidi tuned in to “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane. Parents can rejoice that they can at least identify DoRena’s favorite, “that one ‘Lonely’ song with the Chipmunks,” which was originally crooned by seventy-year-old Bobby Vinton but has been remade by Akon, a rapper from Senegal.

The voters also noted that their tastes in music fluctuate with their mood. Rae “listens to many different kinds of music, so it depends on what I’ m doing, how I’m feeling, and how I would like to feel.” Sometimes, DoRena admits, she doesn’t even know what she’s in the mood for so she puts in “a mix of CDs and hits the ‘random’ button.” Most of the responders said that they use music to accent their mood, playing heavy music when they’re sad, and light, upbeat music when they’re happy. For instance, if you get nervous before you fly, try humming the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” to calm down. Teenagers also use music to change their disposition from one mood to another on occasion. Seth knows that “if I need to get pumped up for something (before sports, or before doing something I’m not looking forward to) I’ll listen to a ‘raveup’ song that will make me feel like I can take on the world. It works.” It’s too bad t hat David only had a harp and no Matchbox 20 to calm King Saul with. Somehow it seems that “I’m not crazy. I’m just a little unwell” would have done the trick.

Contrary to what most parents think, most of the teens who responded to this survey claim that their friends usually don’t influence what kind of music they enjoy. Listening to a good song or CD with their friends may make them feel wanted or like part of a group, but generally they claim to come to stick with their own musical preferences, rather than those of their friends. College, of course, will change all of this.You may be a devout Jessica Simpson fan (although I sincerely hope not), and your roommate may be hooked on Wylie and the Wild West, a western swing band. But you’ll acclimate, trust me. One reader noted that she loved hiphop dance music, while her college roommate only listened to Contemporary Christian music. In time, the CCM CDs grew dusty and dance mixes were preferred by both girls.

Tastes in music can differ even between families living under the same roof, Lauren points out, saying, “My family likes country music and I haven’t listened to that stuff in years. Now bluegrass...that’s a different story!” (In case you were wondering how many country and western singers it takes to change a light bulb, it’s three—one to change the bulb and two to sing about the old one. )

Anna is not swayed by her friends’ opinions, but “If they say I have to hear a song, then I’ll probably listen to it once or twice.” On the other hand, some teenagers, like Heidi, appreciate their friends’ advice and are open to new styles of music simply because their trusted friends enjoy it. She writes, “Mostly that’s because they introduce me to artists I wouldn’t have otherwise heard. It’s nice to not have to find all the good music by myself!”

Whether you’re a lifelong No Doubt fan or a Kantorei groupie, Higher Things readers have proven that there will always be a genre of music to fit your tastes. Sing to it. Dance along. Enjoy its universal appeal. But remember to steer clear of songs that promote violence or sexual promiscuity or any of those things that aren’t healthy.While they are common in our society, these songs are certainly not helpful to have stuck in your head. There is no doubt music is a good gift from God. We may enjoy music for its own sake, like we enjoy a beautiful sunset or a chocolate milkshake. What becomes tricky is when we think sunsets preach the Gospel or that chocolate milkshakes are like the Lord’s Supper. Don’t make music into something it isn’t. It can’t replace the Gospel. It can alter your mood, but it can’t save your life.That is our Lord’s work alone. And that is why we enjoy music for what it is and nothing more. We are thankful God has given certain people excellent musical abilities. (I, however, am not one of them, unless you count being able to play the kazoo an “ability.”) We rejoice in the talents of these musicians that have brought joy and pleasure to our lives.Whether it makes us turn the station or sing along, whether we can waltz to it or break-dance , we thank God for the gift of music.

Adriane Dorr works as a copy editor for CPH and will pursue a mast er’s degree at Concordia Theological Seminary in the fall.