Changing the World: One Lyric at a Time

“Music can change the world because it can change people.” –Bono, U2
For centuries, music has allowed people to express the words that cannot be spoken. Music gives people the power to change a person, to change a group, or to change a nation. Among the ways music can change us, quite possibly the most important is the way that music can raise awareness about something that needs to be changed in our society. “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” a popular song performed and written by U2, criticizes the war in Ireland and was released in 1983. This song is considered to be the most controversial of U2’s songs, but was well received by critics. More recent artists have taken to criticizing modern society and the way that America is today. “Calling All Angels” by Train, “Waiting on the World to Change” by John Mayer, and “Big Yellow Taxi” by Counting Crows are all songs criticizing modern society but different aspects of it in each. “Calling All Angels” expresses the need for good to come back into the world, and that it is not what it used to be. “Waiting on the World to Change” criticizes the war and the media and defends young people’s helplessness in our society. “Big Yellow Taxi” assesses the busy, urban areas that consume our society today, and the way we take everything for granted. Every once in a while, music can be so powerful to even start a revolution. Beginning in the 1950’s, a nationwide teenage rebellion began as Elvis Presley took the world by storm. With the beginning of rock n’ roll, teenagers began to have more freedom to express themselves and their opinions. Elvis Presley created a new genre and began a new era that has continued to today. When music starts a revolution, it helps people to leave the past behind and move into the future. In addition, music can start trends and fads. Lady Gaga has influenced people more so with her fashion and style than with her music. She has helped to change the way that people view fashion and has made usually risky choices seem harmless. Beginning in the late 90’s, Britney Spears greatly influenced pop culture. Not only with her fashion, but she set a precedent for all pop music, one in which many current pop stars have followed. Spears also established an expectation for live performances, leading them to be known as wild and entertaining, with the focus not entirely on vocals. But above all, music’s greatest ability is the power to inspire people. It can motivate listeners to change the world, to encourage others, to create art, to learn something new, to take risks that they normally wouldn’t. Among the most influential bands of the last few decades is the Beatles. They were listed under Time magazine’s compilation of the 100 most influential people and with reason. The Beatles greatly influenced people’s opinions on many issues such as women’s liberation and environmentalism. John Lennon, as well, inspired millions with his single “Imagine.” Though our society is steadily moving forward and changing, music remains intact for the same purposes that it always has. Music is the one thing that is universal, the one thing that everybody can relate to. It transforms people one by one, until eventually, it has changed the world.