Pop Culture Assignment

The modern American culture can be classified to a point by using the top songs from the Rolling Stone’s list as of October 7, 2010. Each song is very unique in terms of the lyrics; however, many conform to main subject matters such as love, life, and happiness. Most of the songs in at least the top ten are from genres of hip hop and rap; an extremely different view from previous generations. Each song, Teenage Dream by Katy Perry, Just a Dream by Nelly, and Dynamite by Taio Cruz represent the modern American culture through uses of poetic devices that relay messages of love, life, and happiness.

According to the Rolling Stone top songs in America, Teenage Dream by Katy Perry ranked number 3 for many consecutive weeks. The song’s content is concerned with wishing she had life of a teenager creating a very dramatic tone. The lyrics suggest a romance that is more of a whim with higher physical aspects than what is socially accepted. It also promotes the idea of taking chances and not looking back towards past mistakes. The song has many hyperboles, one of which being, “We can dance until we die.” Also, it incorporated other poetic merit by using symbolism in numerous lines, an example being “ My missing puzzle piece” explaining how he completes the singer. This song suggests that the modern American culture is much more daring and more ostentatious lifestyle than previous decades. This song portrays that the current generation listens to more upbeat, fast songs that encourage high aspirations that may not be accepted by the older generation. In this particular song, the female is the one pushing the male to escape his boundaries, proving that the sexes are equal today. Instead of career success, Teenage Dream perceives a good relationships as terms of success in life; a very different outlook. Katy Perry’s song creates a positive tone, but controversial practices.

Ranked number 4 on the Rolling Stone top songs in America is Just a Dream by Nelly. The subjects matter of the song is about how the singer lost the one he loved, and he cannot get her back because his love was not enough. He views their relationship as only just a dream, and not as reality. The song has a depressing, hopeless tone of a man who is facing a terrible heartbreak. The lyrics suggest a hint of irony when Nelly repeats “it was only just a dream” when he is talking as if it is real because the pain is real. Also, he alluded to the fact he wished he married her in the line, “Shoulda put it down. Shoulda got that ring” references an engagement ring and proposing to her. The aspect the song provides for modern American culture is based on heartbreak and loss; concepts that are not new to society but have always been around. However, some lyrics suggest a deeper relationship but a quick recoery into a new one; a rarity to find decades ago and still in some cultures. Many young teenagers prefer to listen to songs of heartbreak to make them feel not alone in terms of their own relationship standings. There is not a clear dominance of male over female, or vice versa, however it is suggested that the male needs and wants the female hinting at her having the control. The entire atmosphere of this relationship is very different and open than songs of previous generations showing a clear distinction of the modern American culture.

Sixth in rank on the Rolling Stones top songs of America is Dynamite by Taio Cruz. A typical dance club song, Dynamite is about living life to the fullest in means of partying all night. The song hints at giving up or letting of something in the line, “I wanna celebrate and live my life.” He also includes a woman in the lyrics, convincing her to do the same, and take it to the extreme of partying all night and being on fire figuratively like dynamite. The uses of metaphors and hyperboles strenghtens the lyrics to have an intense feeling. An example of a metaphoric simile is, “ We gon' light it up. Like it's dynamite” insinuading an increase of energy to spark dancing as intense as dynamite. One of the hyperboles includes, “I'm gonna be the last one standing.” The modern American culture that is seen through this song is taking some time to oneself to just live life and have fun. Many Americans live in a high-stress enviroment and do not know when to take a break. This song is very eergetic with a euphoric theme; very common in today’s music. As with the previous songs, there is not a clear division between the genders; both need to take a break from their busy lives. The beat is very contrasting to older generations of music, but still relays a distinct concept that applies to everyone in today’s generationa and earlier.

Society changes yearly, and sometimes monthly that creates the overall American culture. Today’s modern American generation is the number one consumer of the music media for numerous reasons of popularity and availibility. The songs are much more expletive than previous generations, but that can be attributed to the more open culture towards life, relationships, and other topics. Many songs are centered around dancing, and being upbeat, but others are about deeper meaning. It is cleansing to see equal gender roles within each song, and in terms of success it is still measured by fame, and money, but also happiness. The aspect of happines has not changed overtime because it is still extrememly valuable to every generation. Music is a large role of life, and it will continue to influence every generation in numerous ways.