The Music of Devils

Throughout the last century or two (and perhaps even in prior centuries), some genres of music have been labeled evil and corrupt. For instance, the blues, rock and roll, and heavy metal have all been referred to as “the devil’s music”. However, in researching and listening to many different genres, I’ve come to the conclusion that no genre is inherently bad. This does not mean there’s no such thing as morally bad music, or that music is always morally good or morally neutral. What it does mean is it’s the content of and intent behind an individual song or piece of music that make it morally good, bad, neutral, or ambiguous. A genre can have songs that promote violence & destruction and songs that promote brotherhood & working toward a better future. A genre can have songs that are terribly cruel and songs that are uplifting & inspiring. A genre can have songs that depict the bleakest aspects of society and songs that depict the most joyous aspects of life. Genres widely considered harmful can still have songs that are constructive, and genres widely considered harmless can still have songs that are destructive.
One example is a piece of pop music I heard excerpts from on a documentary show several years ago. The softly playing song seemed to be inspired by traditional European folk music and was performed by a pair of young sisters. The girls looked adorable in their outfits, reminiscent of a family act you’d see performing in a talent show. Their voices had a sweet, gentle, and naïve quality that was amplified by their youth. Once you paid attention to the lyrics, however, the veil of innocence was swiftly pulled away. There came a sense of confusion and surprise that immediately gave way to disgust and a feeling of shock that kept escalating the more you dwelt on what you were hearing and what had been allowed, and even encouraged, to happen. This soft, melodic song these young girls were crooning was advocating ethnic cleansing. The lyrics claimed that those who refused to engage in the destruction of people from other races, ethnicities, and belief systems had lost their pride, and that society would not be free until all so-called undesirables had been eliminated. The sole purpose of the song was to incite genocidal feelings and a sense in pride in having them, and it was being sung as though it were a nursery rhyme or a show tune. Perhaps it’s fitting that this act, consisting of seemingly innocent children advocating grotesque acts and mindsets, had a name that could refer to either a beautiful color or a terrible poison- Prussian Blue.
I don’t take stock in what some label “the devil’s music”. After all, which seems more likely for the Devil to use to corrupt others- music which simply seems unsettling, or seemingly innocent music advocating the most terrible of acts?
Category:Music
Category:Raidra
Category:Reality
Category:Wheel of Misfortune 2022