The Not-So-Subtle Messages that Songs Send out to Listeners

Songs are probably one of the most influential devices ever created by man. Songs captivate our imaginations and please our ears with the beautiful rhythms that accompany the words of a singer. People don't notice how many messages are being transmitted into their brains when they are listening to the song. Recently I've noticed that when I'm just listening to a song for its beat and rhythm, I don't really pay attention to the words even though they usually aren't very pleasing lyrics. This made me realize that we are almost being brainwashed by songs that are put out there with discrete meanings that represent sex, drugs, and violence.

Although I don't listen to the lyrics of songs all the time, I do sometimes just listen to the words of the song and not the beat when I have nothing on my mind, and it's not very fun to do because it showed me how screwed up the people that are looked up to by kids are. A huge example of a song that represents sex and drugs is "The Hills" by the Weeknd. Here are a few phrases that really stood out to me:

I only call you when it's half past five
The only time that I'll be by your side
I only love it when you touch me, not feel me
When I'm fucked up, that's the real me
When I'm fucked up, that's the real me, yeah
I only fuck you when it's half past five
The only time I'd ever call you mine
I only love it when you touch me, not feel me
When I'm fucked up, that's the real me
When I'm fucked up, that's the real me, babe

I'ma let you know and keep it simple
Tryna keep it up, don't seem so simple
I just fucked two bitches 'fore I saw you
You gon' have to do it at my tempo
Always tryna send me off to rehab
Drugs start to feeling like it's decaf
I'm just tryna live life for the moment
And all these motherfuckers want a real love

In the first chunk above, all the Weeknd is singing about is how he has no respect for a girl that he only uses for sex. He also states that he doesn't want any emotional connection to her at all, just physical, which is a horrible message to send out to kids that aren't even old enough to understand the difference between right and wrong. Another message that he's sending out to listeners in this first chunk is that when you are either high or drunk, you show your true colors, which might lead kids and teenagers to the idea that the only way to be yourself is to do drugs or drink all the time. If kids keep listening to songs like this then they could be led to a life full of mistakes and regrets. 

I know that not all songs are based on these things, but most of the highly ranked songs are all about it. Songwriters should realize what they are doing to their listeners' minds before they start singing about all this stuff. I really hope that we can see a change in the music industry and the lyrics behind most of the songs out there right now, but I highly doubt that will happen for a while. 

Check out this article that has some other songs like this one: 
http://nypost.com/2015/08/27/sex-drugs-and-self-destruction-fill-the-weeknds-second-album-and-more-new-music/