This class helped me open my eyes to different types of music, whether I liked it or not.  It taught me to appreciate what genres came from where and to appreciate how they evolved.  The band/person I would like to touch point on is someone that was not very well known in the US but was in the UK.  I am actually doing my final project on them.  I discovered them when I studied abroad in London and my fashion journalism teacher had us watch a video called, T. Rex on TV, I really never thought anything about the video until this class.  The band was called T. Rex created by Marc Bolan and after learning the roots of all the genres, the class made me want to learn more about this particular band.  Now I want to go buy all there records!!!  Here are some videos that I will not be able to share with you on my presentation…..

 I would consider bad music anyone who puts out music just because they can with no heart in it and people who sing terribly just trying to add more fame to themselves.  I know someone has already been posted about Paris Hitlon, but I would definately consider her songs bad music and also Heidi Montag from The Hills.  Neither of them can sing and they are trying to add more fame to what they already have.  Paris Hilton is already famous for nothing so she was adding to her already famous name and Heidi Montag will do anything to get publicity even though she is terrible.  The Paris Hilton song is “Stars are Blind” and Heidi Montag’s is “Higher”. After watching both vidoes for their songs, they are both exactly the same!

The song “Changes” by 2Pac addresses issues such as drugs, racism, and gang violence. This song addresses all of these issues and states a change has to happen because how the way things are being handled, the outcome does not work.  I am sure most of you know this song, the lyrics to it, and the purpose of this song.

The video posted below is “How to Save a Life” by The Fray.  This song became very popular very fast in and outside of the U.S.  Before even researching the song I figured it was about being unable to help a loved one and not knowing what they could to help or save them.  The song was actually inspired from a boy who went to camp for troubled teens, the lead singer was his mentor.  The song illustrates how many people were very committed to helping the boy, but they were unsuccessful.  Without evening knowing the backround, this song is very emotional and the video along with it is very emotional.  It features teens who seem depressed; they provide a lot of emotion in the video with either screaming or crying.  While watching this video, I was glued to it and I felt for these children.  It definately left an impact on me and left me very sad.

This was not the only video for the song; there were actually five other videos as well.  One video features the September 11 attacks, another Hurricane Katrina, scenes from Grey’s Anatomy, a car crash and the victims involved, and members of Bright Green House.

John Mayer’s song, “Waiting on the World to Change” is a song about a generation that have been ignoring world problems and the power that is lacking.  His thought on the song are that people believe if they actually do try the change anything to better the world, it will most likely go unnoticed.  It is a song about hope that one day people will not be afraid to stand up for what they believe in and actually help to change.  This message is not angry or mean but a message about “discontent in world conditions”.  It enforces a generation that watching does nothing, that any act can change the world and to not fear taking an action.  The song recieved great reviews and many were moved by the message; leading to a grammy nomination and a win.  The song was recently used on the So You Think You Can Dance, choreographed on the dancers which got much recognition.

The local radio station I chose to listen to was one in my hometwon of Morris, WJDK-FM 95.7, which also has a sister station WCSJ.  Even though this is my hometown radio station, I have never actually tuned in to listen to it.  While listening, I found more Classic Rock songs being played targeting towards the ages of thirty and fifty in my town.  There was a lot of advertising towards Morris and other towns surrounding the area; local businesses and restaurants.  There were also updates of local weather, high school sports, and news. With comparing this to KISS FM, which is more of a younger station, the people targeted where obviously different.  KISS FM has current music and current news of shows, pop culture. It also discusses topics about work, life, going out, and sex.

Mat Kearney  is an Amercian Singer/Songwriter.  His biggest album to recieve much recognition was Nothing Left To Lose.  Many of his songs have featured on numerous television shows, the most popular, Grey’s Anatomy.  Other shows include, One Tree Hill and Friday Night Lights.  The video I have posted is his most recent song from Grey’s Anatomy, “Breathe In Breathe Out”.  This song and video was used to promote the fourth season. Enjoy!