FollowMusic is on my mind. I’ve been writing about it, and we’ve just launched a few new/revamped free Music Discussions on our two websites (more on that in a minute)… so today my foot is tapping!
Much of youth culture is centered around music. Today’s young people seem to require speakers blasting or small white headphones plugged into their ears. In the last 5 years, they’ve upped their daily intake of music by 47 minutes per day, to an average of 2 hours and 19 minutes a day (KFF, 2010). Music rules. That’s why adults should consider using music as a springboard for conversation.
Today David R. Smith and I are finishing the draft of our final Youth Culture Window article of 2010 (It’s now up- CLICK HERE), a glimpse at the #1 music hits of 2010 (We’ll post the article this Sunday). We’re reviewing every single song that made #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, a great list that blends the popularity of radioplay, downloads, actual CD sales, etc. It is a great place to look when you want to know what’s truly the #1 hit in America at any time (I always look there, and at iTunes. The two are usually pretty close).
It’s interesting to look back at the content of the #1’s from the past year. Emenim, B.o.B, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Kesha… quite a variety really. Some of it pure garbage, some tasteful romantic tunes, and a few intellectually stimulating pieces.
Some of this music can serve as truly effective discussion jumpstarters with our kids.
Take a peek at two resources, one totally revamped, and one brand new . They are our MUSIC DISCUSSIONS pages on both TheSource4YM.com and our brand new TheSource4Parents.com
Many of you have already seen our Music Discussions page on TheSource4YM.com. Take a peek today. It just got much better. Each discussion offers the ability to comment and rate. And now you can organize the discussions by Title, Category, Artist, or User’s Rating. Check it out, rate them and post a comment.
Our Music Discussions page on TheSource4Parents.com offer the same features, but are totally different discussions- designed specifically for parents. They are short discussions with three “quick q’s” that parents can ask their kids about a song. But then we offer a section called “For Deeper Discussion” if parents want to take it a little further. Take a peek, rate them, and/or post a comment.
You’ll see numerous new discussions on each page. I pray that they catalyst some great conversations with your kids!
Posted in Entertainment Media, Music | | Leave A Comment
Thanks for making the music discussion page so accessible and easy to use; I real;l;y ike the re-vamp.
Thanks for always making our job easier and more rewarding as we seek to be relevant in the ongoing music [and media] battleground with teens.
Please please write something about the kids being so attracted to some of the bands ie: Avenged Sevenfold. Obvious lyrics that these guys hate God, chase demons and are so hopeless. I can’t seem to get my kids to understand how this stuff is at war with the Spirit. It can be so frustrating! I know how music as a media is such a pull for teens, but I am at a loss as to how to get them to understand what this can do to their faith. It seems we fight an endless battle and the lyrics just get worse…