Monday, September 27, 2010

Themes In Music

Many bands seem to have a common theme for their music, whether it's in the sound of it or the actual lyrics. The most common theme I notice is one about love. Song writers seem to enjoy writing music that tells you it is important to open your heart and not to be afraid of pain so that you can one day find the person who will be with you forever. Perhaps this is because it is an easy idea to relate to. Everyone experiences love in one way or another. Also common, not so much in pop music but in rock, is a theme of being true to yourself or others, even if it hurts you.
One band that frequently seems to deal with betrayal and deceit in their music is Linkin Park. Many of their songs, such as "Lying From You", speak of someone who has created a new persona for themselves in order to please someone else. Usually this person is unable to keep up a fake identity and they find everything around them is falling apart. "No More Sorrow" tells of sort of the opposite scenario, where the writer has been lied to and stolen from and has finally had enough. Though the mood of Linkin Park's music gives the impression that the writer is unsatisfied with who he is, he seems strangely determine to stay true to that person.
These themes from different song writers' music can really make you wonder how it all relates back to them. Why is the writer for Linkin Park so fascinated by truth? And why do so many people encourage others with their music to dive blindly into love rather than to be cautious? Is it really only because this is what comes easiest to them, or is it because they have become so overwhelm by an emotion that they feel they have to share it with others? It has been said that people write what they know. If that is true, I think there are many writers who I would love to speak to about their lives. They must have a wealth of experience and passion well worth celebrating.