Music surrounds us every day, accompanying us even in simple tasks such as taking the bus, going shopping or walking down the street. With the different themes of each song, regardless of the genre, we have all felt how musicians transmit different feelings, whether sadness, joy or even hope.
In every refrain and every rhythm there is a deeper meaning behind it. But, what does the music say to you? What does it make you feel? What if these emotions can help convey a more powerful message that creates a way for music to support society?
Here are a few ways music can help social causes:
How does music change the way you think and react?
Art not only serves to entertain, it is also revolutionary and speaks to everyone in a different way. Paintings communicate through images, dance through body movements, and music through words and sounds.
Music surrounds us every day, accompanying us even in simple tasks such as taking the bus, going shopping or walking down the street. With the different themes of each song, regardless of the genre, we have all felt how musicians transmit different feelings, whether sadness, joy or even hope. Undoubtedly, we have felt a part of our feelings come to the surface.
In every refrain and every rhythm there is a deeper meaning behind it. But, what does the music say to you? What does it make you feel? What if these emotions can help convey a more powerful message that creates a way for music to support society?
Here are some ways music can help social causes:
1. Music as a platform
Many musicians communicate through their songs but also through actions, like benefit events. Some artists encourage people to participate in their cause by providing a platform. An example is in 2020 when Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Dolly Parton and other artists joined Cyndi Lauper’s annual concert to fight youth homelessness.
With a platform like this, having a large number of spectators makes a difference in communicating and even raising money. This is especially the case for well-known artists who can easily raise awareness persuade their audience of specific social issues.
Now, think of all the songs you know that have a deep meaning behind them. Think about your favourite artists. How do they talk about the purpose of their music? What are their values, do you consider them similar to yours, and what do these values teach you? Take some time to reflect.
2. Empathy through songs.
Do you feel your mood is affected after listening to your favourite song? We know that one of the effects of music is that it improves your mood and can reduce stress, but it also allows you to express yourself, convey different feelings and gain a new perspective and motivation.
One thing, in particular, is that music connects you with people with the same interests but also the same battles. Music teaches us that we can understand someone’s journey and have empathy as a listener.
Some artists talk about their journey battling depression, coming off drugs and other struggles. People are more receptive to messages in this way, making it easier for music to further social causes. Using music to recount personal experiences provides a greater perspective of these artists’ struggles and fights and creates a companionship for listeners facing similar issues.
3. Culture and awareness.
Music helps us to improve our memory, create a space to educate and share different points of view, and communicate with our past and it also allows us to learn from cultures different from our own. We can raise awareness by learning about causes we don’t know about and issues that we don’t know so much about but are necessary to know ways to support.
In fact, we can see how music can help social causes through culture and awareness in the example of the young multicultural band Girl Pow-R. This group of young girls encourages people to contribute to the #GirlPowRment to foster strength, confidence and resilience in everyone. This passion to help others and inspire the world has driven each member of Girl Pow-R to do more and actively participate in social causes.
Some of their social causes include:
– Alzheimer’s’ disease and Dementia Research.
– Children’s rights and equality for girls.
– Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
– Girls’ Equality.
– Mental Health Awareness.
4. Programs specifically dedicated to social issues.
Does music help you feel more productive? Maybe feel more relaxed? It can give you extra adrenaline to work harder while you exercise. Music can be powerful and influence the way you act. Now think about the different ways music can help a social problem.
Music affects the way you think, speak and understand the world. As a society we are becoming aware that music can help social causes. It is beneficial to use this power to help those who cannot express themselves and convey the problems that bind us.
To find out more about ways music can help social causes, visit the source information at Save The Music.
If you still don’t know how to do it, let the iMatter program do it for you. This program is delivered by the band Girl Pow-R and offers young people the opportunity to boost their confidence through virtual events and online workshops discussing many aspects of mental health and how to deal with them. For more information visit Girl Pow-R
Learn how the iMatter program can benefit you and your community through musical performances in our different programs. Contact us at iMatterProgram(at)gmail.com for more information.