What We Hear, What We Think: Looking at Messages in Pop Music



Objective(s) & Context

  1. Examine gender stereotypes.

  2. Discuss power dynamics.

  3. Discuss concepts like “sex sells” or “violence sells” in pop music and videos. 

 

This workshop allows us to listen deeply and examine the image and messages that we receive from popular music. The exercise builds girls’ ability to think critically and more deeply about their surroundings, in this case, the popular culture that is all around us.

 

Duration

1–2 hours

Depends on the group size and the amount of music and videos to be examined

 

Group Size

5–20

 

Age Group

11 +

 

Skills

Critical thinking, media literacy, communicating in a group.

 

Format(s) & Technique(s)

Listening to music and watching videos, large group discussion.

 

Materials

Computer with music videos and/or music tracks ready to be listened to

Print-outs of song lyrics for each participant (you can usually get this on the Internet)

 

Facilitation Tips

  • Try taking a variety of songs with different messages. Messages that can be interpreted as positive and negative and maybe both at the same time

  • You may want to introduce new artists to the participants who have strong, positive messages for girls and young women. Sarah Jones and DJ Vadim “Your Revolution” is an example.

  • Acknowledge that we may like the beat or sound of some songs, even when the lyrics or visual messages are harmful. 

  • Acknowledge that some songs are very complex and may send mixed messages.

 

Popular Education Prompts

  • Ensure that most of the songs you look at are generated from the girls in the group. Maybe the day before ask them to tell you what they are listening to these days.

  • This activity can highlight themes that resonate with the girls. Be aware of patterns in their experiences.

  • You may want to follow up with a different workshop shortly after to address issues that were raised. Possible issues could be dating, relationship, inequalities in society, racism, sexism, poverty…

 

Leading the Activity: Steps to Take

Preparation:

  1. Ask the participants before the workshop what music they listen to. This can help you choose which videos and songs to prepare.

  2. If you have access to a computer, download videos and songs to show during the workshop. If you don’t have access to a computer you can listen to the song on a stereo.

  3. Choose one or two songs with “negative” images of women or other groups in society, and one or two songs with “positive” images. Many songs contain both.

  4. It is also helpful to prepare discussion questions prior to the workshop.

Workshop:

  1. Begin by making it clear that it is OK to listen to any music genre or to watch any music video of their choice.

  2. Explain that the purpose of the activity is to take the opportunity to listen more closely to the messages that we are receiving.

  3. Show the first music video or play the first song on a stereo.

  4. Distribute sheets with the lyrics of the song.

  5. Have participants read the lyrics aloud to the group. Each participant can read one or two lines, or pass if they do not want to read.

  6. Ask participants to say if any words are shocking to them. Ask why.

  7. Facilitate a discussion on the messages communicated in this song.

Discussion questions can include:

  1. What is the song about?

  2. What are the images or messages that are being communicated by the song or music video?

  3. Is there respect between the people portrayed? Is the respect one-sided or is it give and take?

  4. If the lyrics suggest violent solutions to problems, why does it seem to be OK within the song?

  5. Would you like to be the person portrayed in the song? Why or why not?

  6. Ask what is the possible impact if there are harmful words?

  7. Are there any songs that make you feel great? That make you feel good about yourself, or that make you want to do your best?

  1. Repeat by showing the remaining videos or laying the remaining songs.

  2. End with a video or song with positive images of women.

 

Debrief

Questions to ask the group:

  • How did this workshop make you feel?

  • Is there anything you would like to know more about?

  • Did you learn anything new?

  • Do you have questions?

 

Success Indicators

Participants are:

  • Listening and watching the songs and videos

  • Talking in the group

  • Asking questions or coming up with ideas that seem new to them

  • Able to criticize negative messages in songs

  • Enjoying the music

 

Source: Adapted from Batshaw Youth and Family Centres. “Song Lyrics: Healthy or Unhealthy?” L.Y.L.O. Program: Liking Yourself, Loving Others. Editor: Lynn Dion (Montreal: Batshaw, 2004).