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Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
There is the commonly held belief that music is a universal tool capable of connecting people of different ages and from different cultural backgrounds. This notion certainly has a lot of merit although there are some ways in which music could cause rifts between people. All of this will be shown throughout this essay.
Music as a medium to allow people of different ages and cultures to make a connection is seen happening quite often. It is hard to deny the popularity of some culture’s music globally as can be seen by the music produced in the US and more recently from South Korea. Generally being pop music, artists from these two countries enjoy fame worldwide and have sold-out concerts in all parts of the world when they tour. Even though their fans may speak another language and not fully understand the lyrics, the upbeat and energizing rhythm is enjoyed by all of them. While the older generation may not listen to up-to-date music, it does not mean that today’s youth ignore older music. It is common for teens and young adults to listen to music, which was released before they were born, and they can connect through this shared enjoyment with the older generation. Some bands like The Rolling Stones have been performing for more than 3 decades and continue to hold concerts where there is a large mixture of ages.
However, it can also be argued that music can be a barrier and even cause rifts between people. Perhaps the main reason is the lyrics of songs, which can be offensive in some countries. In some liberal countries, such as the US, it is common for artists to include references to sex and drugs in their music. These topics are taboo in more conservative cultures and therefore songs of this nature are not only unpopular but can in some circumstances be banned. As mentioned before, the younger generation appreciates the older generation’s music, however, this respect is not often returned. Music is often connected with memories of youth, meaning it creates an emotional bond with the youth when they first hear it. Consequently, it creates a nostalgic feeling for the older generation when they listen, bringing back memories from their adolescence. As they grow older, new music is unable to create such a bond and they sometimes mistakenly believe that it is not as good as the music from when they were young.
In conclusion, while there are incidences of music separating people, it mostly is a good means through which people of different generations and cultures come together. As the power of music is predominantly in the rhythm and melody, this transcends language barriers and generations and can bring enjoyment to all.