Fact or Fiction: Does Music Kill?

            Can musical lyrics of violence and hatred lead to the brainwashing of teens, and in result deaths of others? There are many theories about why teens hurt and kill others. One of which that is a concrete explanation for the violent acts of teens are the lyrics in which heavy metal, hip hoppers, rappers, and rockers alike, brainwash teens with their violent lyrics and intended hatred of others. Music effects teens in every way possible. The things teenagers wear, everything they buy, the things they say or talk about all is directly affected by the lyrics of musicians. The things that musical artists say in their lyrics affect every aspect of teenagers’ lives. Bowling for Columbine is just one documentary that supports this claim in which they interview singers and band-members on their thoughts of the effect they have on teens. Columbine is an example of such influences of musical influences. In Michael Moore’s documentary “Bowling for Columbine” he attacks such issues as gun control, musical influences, fear of society, and violence in the media.

              The Columbine shooting was a great tragedy heard round the world. The shooting touched many people across America in many different ways. Music was just one way people could give reasoning to the question of why someone would do such a tragic thing to their peers. Even though there had been some cases of violence in teens before the shooting there wasn’t one up to the caliber of the Columbine shooting. Before the shooting happened teenagers had a lot of freedom of choice on to what they listened to. There wasn’t much of a link between the lyrics their favorite artists had in their songs and psychological effect on the minds of each listener. A lot has changed since the shooting and more and more changes are taken place of the level of acceptance of possession of any type of weapon in the community and the schools across America. Music has had many changes in itself too. For example, there are more strict parental advisories as they were before the shooting took place and the finger was then pointed at the musicians (Chamberlin 1).

Musicians have heard negative feedback from many organizations before the shooting at Columbine and now it’s not only certain organizations but it also seems that every parent across America has a voice that can have a positive affect. It has been said that music has contributed to the violence of teenagers and the brainwashing of them. It has been proven that listening to violent music will boost aggressive thoughts and feelings, according to a study released this month in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (Chamberlin 1). Music has been accredited to getting into the minds of everyone and immensely affecting their behavior. According to a study taken at Iowa State University, violent songs increased feelings of hostility without provocation or threat. All types of violent music have a negative affect on the psyche of teens. Even humorous songs that have violent lyrics increased aggressive thoughts (Chamberlin 1). Many artists were attacked for their hateful lyrics such as Marylyn Manson, Eminem, and many others.  Niwako Yamawaki has said that, “When we define violence, I really believe it is about physical, emotional and verbal insults or violations." If that were the case than music directly affects violence in America. It is has been proved that music is most commonly related to our emotions, Holly Hundly says (Chamberlin 1). Repeated exposure to violent lyrics may contribute to the development of an aggressive personality," said Iowa State University researcher Craig Anderson
(Chamberlin 1). Niwako Yamawaki goes on to say that listening to music is very unconscious and it is those unconscious thoughts that affect our behavior (Chamberlin 1).

            It is a known fact that when there is one side to a theory there always is a second that takes the opposite view on the matter at hand. It is said that violence in music can not be blamed for societies’ illnesses, indeed, perhaps the blame should be apportioned in the other direction-music only reflects the society in which it is created (Rainbow 1). If this were true then the studies taken place at Iowa State University would have been proven false that the types of music being studied didn’t affect the brain and the psyche of each individual person. Defense Press Pollack states that,” There is no scientific proof that what you listen to on a record album is going to cause any kind of specific behavior    (Rainbow 1). Entertainment in the form of music and movies- and more particularly, those elements not air brushed for family consumption- are an easy target from those anxious to explain a rise in crime (Rainbow 1). The fact that blaming music for a rise in crime, is a gross generalization because not all crime is directly linked with music-rather it is a factor to consider with teenagers because of the metal stability of most teens when they listen to a certain music, can create mixed emotions that can inflict fear in themselves and could eventually over time turn into rage against others.

            In the documentary “Bowling for Columbine,” Michael Moore takes the poses the threat of the media and its impact on society. He in fact interviewed many types people connected to killings and many other celebrities. It is unclear how he feels about the lyrics of musicians and their effect on society because he does sympathize with Marylyn  Manson but he does show some negativity to Marylyn Manson’s violent lyrics. Marylyn Manson argues that music is an escape for teenagers and can help them not hurt them. He goes on to conclude that music has been around for many years so why is it now that all of a sudden music is having a negative effect. Michael Moore later asked Marylyn Manson why he makes the music he does and Marylyn’s answer was that it’s just a feeling that is brought up deep inside of him. His music has many violence incorporated in it and could have quite possibly turned the Columbine killers onto the path in which they have chosen.

            When people hear about Columbine they like to directly blame the parents of the two kids responsible for the shooting. A factor that can get overlooked is one that states that music is directly responsible for some of the rage built up over time in teens. A recent study taken at Iowa State University proves that listening to such bands such as;  Tool, Cypress Hill, Johnny Cash, and Suicidal Tendencies increased feelings of hostility that if built up over time could result in rage against others. Music directly affects the actions of teenagers in this modern age because of the society built up around it. Music has been built up as a sort of scapegoat for teens that they can turn to a certain artist for answers because they are held as role models. When these artists talk about hate against others and killing teenagers being brainwashed with these lyrics try to imitate. When music is something of high concern because of its affect on society then quite possibly rage in teens could drop and less fear among citizens would be the result.

Works Cited

Your Going Home In a F**kin Ambulance. Petrol Rainbow. 24 Jul. 2003. <http://www.petrol-rainbow.co.uk/bangon/violence.htm>