Messina 1 Sal Messina English 200 Christine Olding 26th November 2013 What is Country Music really saying?

Todays youth culture has new rules and standards when it comes to the idea of hooking up and mingling with the opposite sex. When did this new generation of youth find the idea of one night stands to be socially acceptable? With music that depicts underage drinking, drugs, and sex it is hard to question where these ideas are coming from. From rap to country music, all genres of music have set the social norms of todays youth. Having a strong influence on the emotional feelings of people, music can be used as an emotional release to help cope with lifes problems. Todays youth have taken this music and have started to act out the lyrics in their everyday lives. More specially, in country music there is an underlying theme of sex that is not as blunt as it is seen in rap or club music. The sexual exploration in country music has developed into a common occurrence acted out through todays 21st centurys youth culture. If music were used to define a specific generation of culture, it would be different from the generations previous from todays youth. Taking what the previous generations had done before and extending it even more have todays youth taken sexuality to its limits. Musical lyrics have become more open and sensual as the artists try to deliver their message to their listeners. Current media and cultural representations [are] problematizing young people as sexually

Messina 2 promiscuous mask (Lewis). Asking the question, which came first, are todays country artists using lyrics the current youth culture wants to hear, or are the artists simply doing their own thing. Sparking the next question of who controls todays music, the current youth or the artists themselves? Unlike the generations from before, the artists have always produced their own music and their listeners had found them, but now the roles have been reversed. The core ideas of country music are flawed, a whole genre of music that claims to stand up for the right things in life contradicts itself. Drowning its listeners with lyrics about doing the right thing, being a good person, loving God, making your own way and working hard are completely arbitrary when compared to the leading billboard country songs. The idea of extramarital sex runs strong through todays popular country music. The idea of waiting for marriage has been completely thrown out the window. As seen in a top chart country singer like Kip Moore and his 2012 Album, Up All Night. Drive Me Crazy the first song on the album is about two teenagers and their first time. She was pretty, bout 17She wanted more than what friends have, She kissed me once and we never looked backIn the woods in my Grandpas barn, In the backseat of my car, She said, it doesnt matter where we are (Kip Moore). Kip Moore, being a young but popular up and coming country singer can be viewed as an idol. Someone who has an influential voice over a young audience as he does is saying that is okay to have sex. Not only does he say it okay but also focuses on the idea of a recreational sex, as seen in his lyrics. Another example of extramarital sex at a young age can be seen in the Luke Bryans Song Too Damn Young, a song about a boy and girl sneaking out of their houses in the

Messina 3 middle of the night and meeting on a dock to have sex for the first time. As seen in the lyrics She snuck out, scared she might get caught, We were nervous, But it was worth it She kissed me like she meant forever, We were too damn young to know any better (Luke Bryan). Although Luke sings about this sexual experience, he also recognizes that they were both too young and didnt know any better. Selling out almost every venue that hosts him, Luke Bryan has even more of an influential voice on his listeners then Kip Moore. Both artists have seen success with these songs and many others that help spread the idea of extramarital sex within the youth culture. With such a vast amount of songs like these todays countrys youth can be easily tarnished by the ideas that appear in popular music that they might come into contact with. Stone cold country by the grace of God coined by Brantley Gilbert has become a famous line used to sum up the core values in country music. It is a preconceived notion that country music stands for God, Trucks, and Beer but anyone could listen to a few country songs and figure that out. With a constant reference to God, country music might be the only mainstream genre to do so. Although, God is portrayed in a positive way in most country songs, there are also times where God is used to justify certain actions. For example, in Florida Georgia Lines song Man I am Today as seen in the lyrics, Fallin in and out of love with my girlfriend, asking God to forgive my sins again and again (Florida Georgia Line), they sing about asking for Gods forgiveness after repeatedly having sex with his girlfriend. Although this might be what God is about, the forgiveness of one sins. But it does not justify this blunt presentation of extramarital sex to youth culture.

Messina 4 Modern culture has created an image that glamorizes and glorifies sex as something that can be done by anyone at any time. Being much different from the previous generations, who respected the idea and intimacy that came with a sexual relationships (Armstrong). Being displayed on mass media like TV shows, movies, and music, the idea of extramarital sex is being forced upon todays youth. As the world becomes more comfortable with these ideas of free sex, they are setting a poor example for the current generations and the ones to follow them. As seen in the core values of country music, people who called themselves country fans should also want to believe in the ideas that are promoted within the songs. But as seen in society is also not the case. Just because a particular song like We Be Steady Mobbin by Lil Wayne, which talks about popping pussy and taking a gun off an AK and gutting niggas (Lil Wayne) does not mean that upon listening to this song, todays youth are running through the streets reenacting these lyrics by sexually assaulting girls and killing people based on their racial background. But rather todays youth are becoming desensitized by listening to these songs and assuming that those actions are normal in todays world. This is the same case for Country Music and its portal of sex; todays youth can literally hear their favorite artist singing about what society says is wrong. The glamorization of extramarital sex in country music is extremely subtle but prominent. By not actually coming out and using derogatory words or phrases, country artist have been able to uphold a family friendly image while still appealing to a sexualized society. For example in Luke Bryans current top country

Messina 5 hit, Thats my Kind of Night, a night of drinking at a bar has turned into driving out in the country with a girl, and from there the song continues. Gonna sound like a winner, When I lay you down and love you right, Yeah thats my kind of night! You can hang your t-shirt on a limb Hit that bank and we can ease on in Soak us up a little moonlight You know I know what you like, yeah! (Luke Bryan) The depiction of an evening being spent with a country girl goes from being playful to taking off your clothes and going skinny dipping in a river. The lyrics then proceed to talk about how he is considered a winner because he is able to lay this girl down and love her right. Unlike other genres of music where the message is clear and direct, Luke Bryan is able to describe a sexual encounter but yet spin it in to catchy song that everyone can enjoy. Making this song have a totally different meaning then what is intended, the idea of sex has been glamorized into a mixture of alcohol and a night spent out in the country. It is not until the lyrics are actually broken down and set aside from the song, that their true meaning is shown. Another example of this glamorization of sex within country music and youth culture can be found in another one of Luke Bryans song, Spring Break Up. Being released in 2013, this song is released right in the middle of this cultural movement of free sex. Luke Bryan has also preformed this song, among many others off this album at Florida spring break hot spots. Spring Break Up is about the infamous trek of college students on spring break and a relationship that was built between

Messina 6 couples over those days. As the last day approaches, the pseudo-couple is faced with saying their good byes, and in this instance the guys response go as follows, No I dont need your number; Dont want to be your Facebook friend I hate to break it to ya, but you wont ever see me again If Im a bad guy, well I dont mean to be But theres a beach full of buddies, Acting just like me, Spring break-up, Baby dont cry, You aint from here and neither am I We got a little drunk and had a good time, Now its a spring break-up, baby bye-bye (Luke Bryan).

Just like todays youth culture, they struggle between the new idea of the hook up and the old ways the previous generation has pre-set for them. Being completely detached from this girl, the guy sees no problem in what has happened over the past few days. He backs up claim of no hard feelings by saying that there is a beach full of guys just like him. The preconceived notion of just being a hook up is looked at as being a norm or a standard rule among this generation of college students. It is yet assumption or flaw with todays youth culture as they continue to look at sex as a recreational activity. As seen in another popular country band, Gloriana, the bar scene is another place where sexual encounters can be found. In their newly released song Wanna Take You Home, a man spots an attractive girl at the bar and wishes to take her home. His intentions are seen in the lyrics, I wanna take you back to my place

Messina 7 You can do your dance on the kitchen floor I wanna hear your boots knocking down that hallway Right on through that bedroom door I wanna lay you down next to me (next to me) I wanna ease your mind and maybe set you free Cant you see I wanna take you home with me (Gloriana). The lyrics describe the theoretical events of what would happen if this guy actually got this girl to come back with him. The guy wants to see the girl dance down the hallway, right into his bedroom. This is a predetermined idea that todays culture has produced about hooking up. The ideas that sex is eminent if you go are going home with someone from a bar. Being misguided by the 21st centurys cultural ideals, the current generations are captivated by the sexual exploration within music and themselves. The idea of sex is losing its meaning. As the current and up coming generations continue to become more relaxed with the idea of extramarital sex as a common place in modern society, how far will it go? Already living in a society where the lines are blurred, it is hard to tell where the hook up ends the love starts. It is because of these blurred lines that todays youth have no real perception of love the feelings that come with it. The current generation believes that if something is broken, you can simply throw it out and start over by getting a new one. Whether this is with physical objects or the idea of a relationship, nothing is permanent. Kenny Chesney provides an insightful verse about todays youth culture in his song, Life on a Rock, one of the first lines sings, Well you dont lose your lover, you just lose your turn (Kenny Chesney). Kenny is absolutely right, the idea of moving on

Messina 8 from one lover to another, has practically become trying lovers on like a piece of clothing. If it does not work, there are plenty of others around. Sex has lost its meaning because of the idea of a hook up and sex has become a self centered idea. As seen in another one of Kennys song Come Over the chorus sings, I dont think that I can take this bed getting any colder, come over, come over, come over, come over, come over (Kenny Chesney). Basically a glorified booty call, Kenny tries to get an ex-lover over to come over. Singing only about his emotional needs or concerns in this song, a sense of desperation can be felt within the repeating come overs. The importance of saving sex for marriage has been completely voided from the morals of todays youth culture, as they turn their focus on hooking up. As the current generation begins to make sense of the new standards that they have set for themselves, the generations that follow will have to deduce their own interpretation of this world we have come to live in. The themes of sexual exploration in country music have a strong influence on todays youth as seen in its growing popularity.

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Works Cited Armstrong, Edward G. Country Music Sex Songs: An Ethnomusicological Account. Journal Of Sex Research 22.3 (1986): 370. Sociological Collection. Web. 26 Nov. 2013 Lewis, George H., (Author). Interpersonal Relations And Sex-Role Conflict In Modern American Country Music, International Review Of the Aesthetics And Sociology Of Music 20.2 (1989): 229-237. RILM Abstracts of Music Literature. Web. 26 Nov. 2013. Brantley Gilbert. Country Must be Country Wide. The Valory Music Co., LLC, 2011. CD. Florida Georgia Line. Man I am Today. Universal Republic Nashville, 2012. CD. Gloriana. Wanna Take You Home. Emblem Records Inc., 2012. CD. Kenny Chesney. Come Over. Blue Chair Records, LLC, 2012. CD. Kenny Chesney. Life on a Rock. Blue Chair Records, LLC, 2013. CD. Kip Moore. Drive Me Crazy. MCA Nashville, 2012. CD. Lil Wayne. We Be Steady Mobbin. Cash Money Records Inc, 2009. CD. Luke Bryan. Thats my Kind of Night. Capitol Records Nashville, 2013. CD. Luke Bryan. Too Damn Young. Capitol Records Nashville, 2011. CD. Luke Bryan. Spring Break Up. Capitol Records Nashville, 2013. CD.