Music Falls on Deaf Ears

Radio waves in southern Ontario have carried many new songs to music listener’s ears during the summer of 2010, and while Katy Perry’s “California Girls” may have been the most overplayed, the most controversial song was probably Eminem and Rihanna’s “Love the Way You Lie”.

Although iTunes’ “most downloaded” list may indicate otherwise, there is a group of listeners who have taken offense to this song claiming that the lyrics promote violence and rage. One Torontonian woman I interviewed stated that “the song is terrible because Eminen raps about tying a woman to a bed and lighting the house on fire”.

While murdering someone in such a way would be sick and twisted, “I Love the Way You Lie” does not promote such an act, but rather warns against the likes of it.

Similar to many other angry listeners, the woman I interviewed not only judged this song solely on her first impression and misunderstand what its message really is, but she also failed to realize that music is art.

Art does not often come to those who wish to receive it with a disclaimer about what it means and why it was made. Art must be thoughtfully considered and interpreted with wisdom. Those who engage with a specific piece of art must seek to understand the nature of the work they are experiencing.

Interpreting art is not a simple task, but in the case of Eminem and Rihanna’s song, one only needs to consider the lyrics in relation to the abuse Rihanna previously suffered in order to know what this song is about. “I Love the Way You Lie” clearly warns against the cycle of abuse and domestic violence.

Although understanding other forms of art may be difficult for those who have misinterpreted Eminem and Rihanna’s lyrics, the first thing they need to do is face the

music and realize that it is not just ‘black and white’ rap out there.