Teen music: What's cool, what's hot, what's not
Clara E. Summers and Celeste C. De Jong Zumaeta, Contributor, Bogor, West Java
Have you noticed kids on the streets? Most of them are wearing earphones and are happily tuning out the world with rock, rap, hip hop and pop. The songs are often about love, life, freedom and friendship, but sometimes they include obscene phrases and swearing.
With some advocacy groups and parents calling for stricter labeling of music to stop its influence on impressionable teens, we asked young people about their views about how the music moves them.
Alexa MacDonald, 15, a 10th grade student from JIS:
I listen to many different types of music, but my favorite band is Evanescence. I like their songs because they have meaningful lyrics and it also sounds like no specific type of music. It seams to be punk rock but it is also somewhat soulful, and I like that.
My parents actually like to listen to Evanescence, too. They seem to enjoy the fact that Amy Lee, the lead singer, has a powerful voice that expresses meaningful lyrics. Their lyrics emphasize how important it is to be independent and not to let other people make you be someone you're not. This makes me proud of who I am as a person and has taught me not to worry about what other people think.
I believe this music is appropriate for teens, because lots of times teens have problems with the way other people see them. I think the music now is a lot more daring and singers aren't afraid to be themselves. Basically, our music is a lot more open than when our parents were teens. The music from other generations can be good, too. In fact singers are continuously recording old songs.
Estha Jiyesthani, 11, a sixth grade student at the Mardi Waluya Elementary School:
I like listening to pop music, because it makes good dancing music when I'm with my friends at parties, and it's fun.
The lyrics of my music usually praise love, friendship and other stuff. Music makes me feel happy and comfortable. I think the music I listen to is appropriate for teens, because it's popular. Pop music gives me inspiration in what I do and makes me more spirited.
Sam Winkler, 15, the International School of Bogor:
I listen to many different types of music, because it all depends on how I feel. I listen to Justine Timberlake when I'm feeling sad, and I listen to rock when I'm feeling happy.
My parent let me listen to the songs that I like because they know that I'm responsible. Usually the singers that I listen to sing about their life, love and other things. I like music because it relaxes you from all the pressure. Music has showed me to have fun while I still can.
I think music now is better than my parents' time, because it has more beat. Before I really used to like rock, I listened to it all the time. I started liking rhythm and blues and I will always like rock. But like I said, it all depends on my mood.
Anchalee Nichzke, 15, the International School of Bogor:
Without music, my life would be destroyed. I listen to music everywhere I go. I even listen to it when I'm studying. You might think it's weird, but I can't study without music.
I listen to many different types of music, R&B, rock, hip-hop. I don't really really care if they say a lot of swear words, because they are singing about their lives, what's happened to them and things like that. They usually talk about love, freedom, hardship and much more. I say swear words all the time, so I don't care what they say.
My mom likes the music I listen to. But I definitely think that the music now is better than in my parent's times. Because it has more beat, it's chilling and cool. I think teens should decide whether the music they listen to is appropriate for them.
For me it's not about being appropriate, it's all about chilling you up, or making you dance. I think dancing to rap and hip-hop is much better than dancing to the old music most parents listen to.
-- The writers are students at the International School of Bogor in Bogor, West Java.