Wk_5_Hum_111_Adolescent_Drug_Abuse

Thesis: Music serves many purposes besides entertaining; one need only look at the songs of any era to gain an insight into history. According to Wikipedia, pop culture is the entire collection of ideas, opinions, thoughts and perspectives unofficially preferred by the masses. These ideas, largely influenced by all forms of mass media, completely engulf the day to day existence of a society. Pop culture gauges the pulse of a particular people at a given point in time. Music serves many purposes besides entertaining; one need only look at the songs of any era to gain an insight into history. Native American chants told stories of their ancestral feats and great warriors; plead with their Gods for rain; and foretold abundant hunting. Upon returning from the hunt braves sang once again, celebrating their success. In the civil war era, Negro spirituals like “Wade in the Water” held veiled references to safe houses, departure times, and routes of the Underground Railroad; directing runaway slaves to follow the river to freedom. Likewise, singer-songwriter Arlo Guthrie has been using his music for social activism and commentary since before Woodstock. His 1967 "Alice's Restaurant Massacree”, encourages listener’s to resist the draft, end war, and sing along. Incidentally, while it might not surprise you to learn that www.popculturemadness.com lists hundreds of popular titles with masked drug references, some of the songs and artists might: Walk Right In by The Rooftop Singers(1963) was about marijuana, I Get A Kick Out Of You by Cole Porter(1934) - (cocaine), and Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds by The Beatles (1967)-(L.S.D.) Significantly more than a collection of pleasing notes, clever words, and rhythmic phrasing; music evokes a wide variety of emotions, holding different meaning for everyone who hears it. God only knows what message your favorite song hides.