Being Happy in Your Skin: Appreciating Yourself Through Music
by: Brad Weisberg
Introduction
Living in a very image-conscious society, sometimes it is hard for us to get in touch with our true feelings and emotions. People are easily influenced by what they hear and see in the media that they do not have the power to freely express themselves. Children are busy emulating their famous idols through their language, musical preferences and fashion. In this conforming society, there are still musicians who are not afraid to be themselves. Artists such as Lady Gaga, Diana Ross, Katy Perry and Des’ree have created music that inspires us to be ourselves. Self -appreciating music serves as an outlet for those who are out casted in this mean, cold world. It teaches us to be happy in our own skin and to not let social pressures manipulate us into changing our authentic identity.
As I mentioned in my discussion post, I had a challenging adolescence. All of my friends and classmates were experiencing physical changes while I still resembled a fourth grader. This made me a prime target for verbal harassment. I came home from school in tears. Then if life could not get any worse, I was diagnosed with lymphoma. In my hospital room, I discovered the essence of “soul lifting” music. Listening to songs such as Des’rees’s “You Gotta Be” and Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” instilled the strength and optimism that I needed to overcome the hardest challenge of my life.
“The grass isn’t always greener on the other side”, is one of the most commonly used phrases to express how connected humans are to one another. No one gets a free hall pass in life; we all must experience both the good and bad. Even famous musicians have seen some pretty brutish times, whether it was a drug addiction, living in poverty or losing someone very close to them. The road to stardom is not all glamorous. Artists such as Miley Cyrus expresses her struggle to fame in her classic single, “The Climb”. “The Climb” is uplifting, Cyrus teaches us that life is not easy, but it is a beautiful thing. Not only do her words provide her listeners with hope, but also the metacommunication through her performance reinforces the ideas of struggle and fight. Watching her music video, one can witness the power that she possesses through her mesmerizing gliding dance move.
Other artists such as Justin Bieber have used their life in order to induce inspiration upon their listeners. Not only do musicians encourage us through their music, but also their messages can be felt in their autobiographical films. Bieber’s movie “Never Say Never” created a stir of optimism for his fans and aspiring musicians. Watching Bieber’s journey and listening to the words of his music encourages us to live out our dreams and not let others shoot them down.
Take Your Mask Off, Show Your True Colors
Not only do songs inspire us to achieve our dreams, they teach us to be ourselves. Songs such as Diana’s Ross “I’m Coming Out” are signifying, with their double-meaning message. “I’m Coming Out” is popular among the gay and lesbian communities. It has become the enlightening chant for LGBQT groups to connect to one another and be proud of their sexuality. Though, it can also instill the courage needed for individuals to rise up and fight. Another song that embarks on a “loving your self” aesthetic is Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way”. Lady Gaga not only inspires her audience with her lyrics, but also with her unique costumes and dance moves. Her lyrics are invigorating, telling us she was born this way and that she’s going to embrace it. Katy Perry’s “Firework” reinforces self-appreciation. Her words are empowering, “Baby you’re a firework, come on let your colors burst”. Perry provides guidance to teenage girls through her words, style and defying dance moves.
Appreciating yourself songs are not only felt through female artists. Rappers such as Black Dada rap about being proud of his heritage. “I’m A Zoe” is all about Haitian pride. In South Florida, it became extremely popular amongst the Haitian communities. Another example of male’s influence on this being yourself aesthetic of music comes from the movie Bruno. During the closing credits, male artists from all nationalities and races sing about a “Dove Of Peace”. By having respected men, from all different walks of life sing about the beauty of a fictional, nineteen year old male, it implies the beauty that can be found inside all of us.
