Why Are You Here?

     I was struck still for the first time that I really heard the song "Here" by Alessia Cara. Alessia has a nice talent for rhythm, blues, indie pop and R&B and she's only 19 years old. The song is a little story of her questioning why she is at a certain party and thinking she doesn't belong there. In an interview for "The Fader" she said '"Here' is a song for all the antisocial, awkward, and miserable party-goers of the world. This one time I went to a party and while there, I realized how much I hated it, along with every other party I had ever gone to. We wrote about it the next day."
     When I listened to the lyrics I had a couple observations and thoughts. First, she's at the party because her friends dragged her along. She isn't enjoying it, its just the thing to do. So many teens and young adults do so many things because of peer pressure and it being the social norm.
Secondly, yes, she does want to be with her "people" (friends) so she isn't totally antisocial. She is just uninterested, pessimistic and stand offish with people that are smoking, drinking too much and talking about nonsense. She wants to be "listening to music with a message" and "discussing our big dreams".
     Truth be told no one belongs at a party like that with people like that. Thankfully, there is someone like Alessia who is smart enough to know not to be getting high, getting drunk, hooking up or talking trash about others. I just wish she wasn't even at the party and was a better role model for the young, easily influenced people that hear this song. Maybe this song will make someone think twice before going to a ridiculously stupid party.
      Also, I don't want to read too much into the lyrics, but everyone can relate to Alessia's song because we all question what are meaning on earth is and what we should  do in/with life. Why are we "here"? For people with faith like myself, we know why we are here because God tells us through His message to us, the Bible. Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Romans 12:1-5, Romans 8:28, Matthew 5:13-16, Matthew 6:33, Mark 12: 30-31, 2 Timothy 1:9, and Ecclesiastes 12:13 are just the beginning of what God says our purpose on earth is. I know why I am "here" and its not to just party my life away.

Crazy pop songs

     For the majority of the population of America I think there are two kinds of people that listen to secular pop music: the kind that just like the music and don't listen to the words or the kind that hear the words and think the songs are crazy! There might always be an exception, but those type of songs are hard to find. If you do find one, let me know. Ha. Either way, I guess you can appreciate musicianship and creativity.
     I haven't viewed all of his YouTube videos, but the more I watch of  Jefferson Bethke's I become a bigger fan. I really appreciate his videos on relationships, Christianity, spoken word, etc. He did "fun" video on today's pop music a few months ago that I thought was hilariously great! Even though I can sing along to most of the songs he mentions, I think he makes a great point of paying attention to what he are listening to.

You Don't Have To Try

     It is a given(for me at least) that we will always have a battle of society telling us we need to look good or impress others. You really cannot go anywhere without culture trying to sell the newest fade, but that shouldn't discourage us from knowing what's real, standing up for truth, and sharing that with others. We probably need to clear our heads everyone once in a while so we don't become obsessed with every screen, advertizement and media outlet and falling into the trap of having to keep up with the latest trends. Should we try to look our best? Of course! Yet, we do not have to always have make-up, the name brand clothes or the newest car. One song that I've heard a couple times this past week that has stuck with me is "Try" by Colbie Caillet. It makes me so happy and grateful that someone, even in the music world, stands up for such wonderful things. In a world that is full of Photoshop, make-up and a obsessive culture that says you have to look a certain way to look "good" or fit in, there still are some people that stand up for being real.


                                   

This video is a cover of Colbie Caillat's "Try" by Max and Kurt Schneider who I also think are fantastic musicians.