THE CURRENT SITUATION

From its inception to present day, Rock and Roll has excited, thrilled, and entertained millions upon millions of people. The sound, rhythm, energy, power, creativity, attitude, and showmanship are alluring and captivating and currently generate annual music sales of $14 billion. It is debatable that Rock and Roll's ambassadors of Elvis Presley, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, The Supremes, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna, and Marilyn Manson may be some of the most well known and influential people on the earth, particularly to young people. However, is Rock and Roll without its problems?

Most contemporary music is great, but there are some growing concerns that need to be addressed to make it better. Some of those concerns are the vast amount of negative lyrics that have grown in regressive content and volume with every passing year over the last 30 years. Some examples of negative song lyrics are those that advocate drug use, rape, pornography, racism, gratuitous violence, perversion, hate, sadism, and narcissism. These trends have become so encompassing and pervasive that they are no longer kept to the fringes, but have flooded over into the mainstream, a mainstream whose current is very strong and influential.

THE POSITIVE ASPECTS OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC

Before one attempts to constructively analyze what is wrong with contemporary music, it would be appropriate and advisable for one to acknowledge everything that is right with contemporary music.

First, and utmost, music provides the opportunity to express different ideas, concepts, human emotions, and literature styles. Music can be used as a vehicle to convey different ideas and concepts that are social, political, educational, cultural, and religious in nature. In addition, it allows the opportunity to convey different human emotions, such as love, hope, charity, fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, frustration, rejection, and despair. Finally, music provides the opportunity to convey different literature and lyrical styles, such as poetry, stories, humor, and satire.

The importance of being able to express one's self is vital in society to facilitate open communication to and among people. Musicians, as all people, need to be able to communicate openly to other people. In addition, even if nobody wants to listen to what they have to say, the availability of open communication provides a means of self-venting and release of bottled energy.

Not only does music provide communication from the musician, it also helps facilitate communication among those people who may have difficulty expressing themselves altogether. Music can be used as a tool to help foster communication among those who have no voice in society, or those who having difficulty communicating their ideas, concepts, feelings, and emotions to others.

In addition to providing an opportunity to facilitate communication among people, music can provide valuable entertainment. Music is a form of art, and art, by definition, appeals to the aesthetic values on an individual and personal level. Because of the connection on a personal level, music can provide friendship and act as a reliable companion to people as a comforter and sympathizer. It also can stimulate the mind and inspire creativity, or offer relief, escapism, and change of