Hits, Not Hearts

Intended to capture moments that feel too heavy to keep silent; joy, hatred, despair, love, and everything in between, music comes to life. However, there has been a change. Profound melodic art has transformed into the concept of materialistic compost and over saturation; becoming the replacement. There is now a lack of depth, and as I reach to seek it I stumble back in time to lyrically inclined art. 

Music to me has always been more than just a strum of the guitar or the beat of a drum. When I was younger I believed music was a sacred language; spoken by those who are brave enough to translate their souls into sound. I dreamt of being a singer/songwriter not for attention but to tell a story. Music felt like the only place where my emotions made sense; where frustration didn’t need to be explained and sadness didn’t feel embarrassing. I imagined writing songs people would save their money for, hold in their hands, and listen to all the way through. I wanted my lyrics to be lived, not skimmed and skipped.  Sitting in the back of our old 2005 toyota corolla I would beg my dad to turn up the radio when we would go on our adventures together knowing my mom didn’t like the music too loud. In particular my favorite song to listen to in the car was “Roar” by Katy Perry. At the time this song made me feel confident and happy to be me, as Katy Perry shares a story about being a strong woman which was meaningful to me. With the windows down and music blaring we would embrace the sound of Katy Perry and Taylor Swift; I felt at home. 

Before streaming platforms decided what we should hear next, music felt slower and personal. CDs and vinyl carried fingerprints, scratches, and stories, proof that the music was loved. You couldn’t reduce a song to fifteen seconds and move on; you had to let it play, even when it hurt. Music wasn’t about what would make the most money or get the most clicks, it was about the message the artist is portraying even in their most vulnerable moments. This era allowed music to exist without constantly proving its worth to the world but to breathe freely. CDs and vinyls created a platform for people to be excited about purchasing the art and hold it in their hands – connecting to it. 

As I’ve matured so has the age of music. Melodies now exist behind glowing screens and shuffled within playlists compiled with songs that seem to get skipped before they have time to breathe. Streaming platforms promise an infinite choice and unlimited access to songs, yet somehow seem to leave music feeling emptier and smaller. When success is measured by streams, charts, and algorithms, authenticity becomes optional rather than essential. As many listen to music through their brand new airpods while doing tasks like homework and chores, perhaps even in conversation; they aren’t absorbing the art in their ears but rather using it as background ambiance. 

Music is brought to life by bands and solo artists who infuse sound with human emotion. Bands like Queen, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, Radiohead, and The Smiths  have formed a foundation for musical proficiency. Along with solo artists including Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Lauryn Hill, and Michael Jackson who have changed the music industry through their influence on not only the public but other artists as well. These artists whether they're in a band or not have truly shaped the world we live in today through their authenticity. Songs written in past generations were more than what genre they’re in or how much money they made; they made an impact. 

Lyrics contribute a lot to a song. Artists turn lyrics into a language for emotions that cannot be spoken, using music to confront the world and defend what they believe in. For instance, “Imagine all the people living life in peace,” written by John Lennon and co-writer Yoko Ono which emphasizes equality and freedom in their song “Imagine.” In this message, Lennon uses music as a form of free speech, creating a platform that encourages listeners to question society and envision change. Similarly, in Aretha Franklin’s song “Respect,” the repeated use of the word respect reinforces the idea that everyone deserves dignity and fair treatment. These songs demonstrate how music of the past carried powerful messages, using lyrics not only as entertainment but as a voice for social change.

Over time, music has shifted from an emotional outlet into a commercial product, created not by human experience, but by profit. Artists once wrote to express pain, hope, or love however, the modern day artists often prioritize getting viral or selling albums. Songs are now frequently made to be consumed quickly, choosing repetition and trend-driven vocals over meaningful storytelling. As a result, emotion has been diluted, replaced by lyrics that promote wealth, fame, and surface-level pleasure rather than vulnerability or the truth. This transformation reflects a societal change where music is no longer created to be felt deeply, but to be sold efficiently; leaving behind the soul that once gave it purpose.

Modern day music has lost its spark due to repetition and merely mocking society through its lack of soul; expressing ideas of money and fame rather than standing up for the people and having no emotion. Songs such as Lil Pump’s “Gucci Gang” and Justin Bieber's “Yummy” rely heavily on repetitive phrases, offering little insight into personal experience or social issues. Similarly, DJ Khaled’s song “I wanna be with you” and NBA Youngboy’s song “What you is” were primarily made to be used on social media platforms such as Tiktok which made the lyrics feel disposable rather than impactful. While this music can be distasteful to many, personally I still enjoy this type of music. Despite its lack of depth and storytelling it can be fun and upbeat. Modern day music is enjoyable to listen to while hanging out with friends or trying to get work done but, it will never truly give me the satisfaction as artists such as Billy Joel or Fiona Apple. Songs in today’s society are successful online as they focus on branding, have shock value, and create trends. These attributes are beneficial to many online influencers and various brands, but they seem to replace genuine expression with over-saturation, making them feel more like products than pieces of art. Therefore, much of today’s popular music entertains listeners momentarily yet it lacks the lasting emotional or cultural significance found in music of the past.

In a world where music is now measured by clicks and charts, its soul often seems to fade beneath the weight of profit and popularity. My childhood dream of becoming a songwriter was born from a different truth, a belief that music can speak what cannot be spoken. Even as the industry chases trends and fleeting fame, that dream reminds me that music used to be a sanctuary for honesty and emotion.