Regardless of age, ethnicity, geographical location and social status we are all consumers of popular culture. We can consume popular culture though particular themes, images, messages and symbols. The production of these themes and the presentation are illustrated by what is popular to the masses. Media is an instrumental agent of popular culture and within popular culture several categories, such as music, sports, politics, news and events. Music has significantly shaped the United States views on particular social problems and allows the artist to provide their insight on the themes, and outcomes related to these social problems. Throughout the years the social issues and problems have changed, but music remains a popular venue to explain, …show more content…
Each song illustrates a story, a feeling and an outcome. Depending upon the tone and the beat of the music, they song can create a different feeling for the listener than what the artist intended. The lyrics allow listeners to connect and relate, and can either have a positive or negative influence. As the article Under the Influence of…Music?, describes that the current social issue of drugs and substance abuse is nothing new, youth and young adults are accessing music more frequently than they were a decade ago. On average, most you adults listen to at least 2.5 hours of music per day and within that music, regardless of the genre contains roughly 35 references to substance and drug abuse per hour (Parker-Pope, 2008). Parker-Pope (2008) goes on to illustrate that the drug and substance references within song lyrics percentage has significantly increased. “Music is well-known to connect deeply with adolescents and to influence identity development, perhaps more than any other entertainment medium (Parker-Pope, 2008). Based on Parker-Pope’s comments is the music industry and their depiction of drug abuse influencing youth and not deterring them? Based on the song ““Amphetamine Annie” the message clearly is to discourage and not glorify the use of