Pop Songs and How they Impact our State of Mind

A Research By Hambert A. Malenab

Music is inevitably a fundamental aspect of every culture and every individual.

Music often reflects who we are as humans, and the attitudes we exhibit upon hearing a
particular song. When we hear rap music like tracks of Nicki Minaj, some of us exhibit
and angry or boujie vibe, while on the contrast, when we hear, say for example, break-
up songs, like some of Adele’s, we may not have experience the same heartache but it
sure does make you sad. Elucidating from this impression, we will try to debunk as to
how exactly does music, particularly the ones we hear on a regular from radios and
streaming apps, impact us and our state of mind?

Fresh pop songs in the Philippines, or OPM surround references to the theta
indoctrination that love is essential, or having romantic relationships, even just for the
children. Sometimes I would come across 3-4 year olds around our office in San Jose,
singing songs like This Band’s “Kahit Ayaw Mo Na” without actually knowing what the
song really means, it makes them sound so happy while singing it though the song is
about a sadistic take on love; unlike to to sex, drugs, alcohol or violence glorification in
American music. Over time, such themes can negatively influence young,
impressionable listeners, distressing their moods, opinions and how they think about the
world. While some songs may be uplifting for listeners, others can increase anger,
depression or poor behaviour since music is openly available with a few taps from
Youtube or Spotify.

Some songs can optimistically influence young adults like me, triggering pleasure
and enthusiasm, instilling self-assurance or even helping us complete tasks such as
household chores or homework, to work itself. Some individuals listen to music to
unwind after a demanding day. Friends might bond over a bands like One Direction or
maybe recently, the reunited Jonas Brothers, and collecting and listening to songs
together or even attending a concert. Encouraging, feel-good compositions can remind
us of good memories. In these ways, pop music plays an important role in a person’s
entertainment and general social experience. Personally, I associate music with
memories so I would remember lessons or any happenstance that occurred in my life in
clear visuals. I like to frame my life with songs, like a picture frozen in my mind. The
songs I listen tom like ones from Ariana Grande make me feel a certain way depending
on the theme of each song. “7Rings” which a song off her latest album, as per one of
my interviews for this write-up to Ms. Abish Abellanosa, exhibits the feel wherein a
person can be financially powerful, over heartaches, and as for feminism, the song
explains the though that a “woman doesn’t need a man to complete her through
marriage.”

“Hugot” easily emerged as the most prevalent trend in music this year. It is
currently the toast of the streaming era, riding on a data-backed formula that dominated
this generation's pop culture conversation.
 Countless songs that fall under its aesthetic appeal have managed to rack up
huge numbers on streaming platforms such as Spotify and Youtube, making it easy for
major playlists to add them on heavy rotation. It's everywhere, from movie soundtracks
to brand campaigns; big concert venues, to local music festivals and this elucidates the
fact that music has the potential to change a mood, to shift an atmosphere, and to
encourage a different behavior.

"There were times and places — in the Europe of the Middle Ages, as an
example — where music might remain largely the same for hundreds of years," writes
Selwyn Duke in "Influential Beats: The Cultural Impact of Music." This is due to the fact
that no matter what year are we in now, we are still experiencing the same human
conditions as what our predecessors have had.

In present time Taclobanons are getting hyped with new music acts like Ben and
Ben who will be doing a charity concert in STEFTI and looking at the way some
individuals prop themselves up in Facebook or any social media for the event, as a
conclusion, we could say that music is a very influential form of art. It makes or breaks
experiences and to quote Friedrich Nietzsche, “Without music, life would be a mistake.”

References:

https://pop.inquirer.net/63975/underrated-opm-songs-that-you-might-want-to-add-to-
your-playlist

http://cnnphilippines.com/life/entertainment/music/2018/12/26/best-music-2018.html

https://www.livestrong.com/article/1005400-influence-pop-music-teens-united-states/

https://www.ted.com/playlists/363/how_music_affects_us

http://blog.sonicbids.com/what-kind-of-impact-does-our-music-really-make-on-society

https://www.manilatimes.net/wonders-listening-music/292058/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_the_Philippines

https://www.jstor.org/stable/659182

https://www.fhm.com.ph/pop-culture/music/30-essential-pinoy-teen-pop-songs-of-all-
time-ranked-a1607-a1639-a1640-20170824-lfrm5

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/artandculture/445329/pinoy-artists-
preference-for-foreign-music-hurting-opm/story/