Interpreting Songs: The Importance of Getting to Know Artists
Like all forms of media, music can contain meanings and messages which must be interpreted to understand. Lyrical messages are not always as apparent as they may seem, which makes it interesting to really dig in and interpret the songs.
Song lyrics can have a personal, sentimental value for each individual. What may mean one thing to one listener may mean something else entirely to another. Often, a listener will find a meaning in a song that was not intended by the artist at all. This makes it important to consider who the artist is when attempting to find a song’s true meaning.
Perhaps the most relevant aspect of a song to take into consideration when interpreting is the time at which it was written. A musician’s music is always influenced by their own personal lives or other social affairs, so having a gauge of the time it was written can key you in to notable events which inspire the song.
It can be difficult to research an artist’s personal life, but even just picking up on the basics can help unravel the meaning behind their music. Knowing even just a small amount about the artist’s morals, religious values, childhood, career and personal life can shed a whole new light on a song.
Begin interpreting first by looking at the lyrics and deciding if there are any references to past or present events. Then consider the artist’s current personal situation. Are they in the middle of a breakup? Are they in a conflict of some sorts, with another, with themselves or with the world? Try to decipher what the artist is trying to convey. Oftentimes music can be used as a sort of propaganda. Understanding these elements and getting to know the artist plays a huge role in interpreting songs.