Sociological Concepts

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Sociological Concepts

The song by Drake and Trey Songz known as Successful brings forth an interesting discussion as far as the sociological concepts are concerned. The concepts of culture, language, norms and values have been engraved on the lyrics of this song. Musicians tend to portray the society they come from or the society in which they would wish to be. From the lyrics of this song, the singers are in a society that is full of poverty or they are in a society full of wealthy people. It is through songs, poetry, literal works, plays, films and other arts and literature works with the inclusion of the media, that the sociological experts learn more about the diverse society present. The song portrays that either a society can be portrayed through a piece of art or it can be influenced by a piece of art.

The most evident sociological concept in this song is the language concept. The artistes are in use of very vulgar language such as “motherfuckin, shit” and “fuckin”. Such words tell a lot of the society the people come from. The singers have come from a society that frequently curses. The society may also be in use of vulgar languages in normal conversation. Although this kind of language is nurtured, older people might be playing a major role in discouraging the expression of such vulgar languages. Additionally, this kind of language is present in the young people more than it is present to in the older generation. The genre of the music, which is rap, mostly targets the young people more than it targets the older generation.

The song also portrays the norms of the society. Norms are behaviors and concepts that make up what is considered as normal. Norms are standards or behavioral rules that guide the interaction of the society. The society depicted in the song seems to have a cliché for wealth, riches or rich people. The singers constantly say that they want the money, cars and clothes. The singer also adds that he wants it all. This gives the audience the notion that money is everything. Additionally, the money is considered as the ‘key’ to get social respect, appreciation and honor. He uses such phrases as “nickels for my thoughts, Dimes in my bed” (stanza 2). Such phrases are meant to show that one would think better and sleep better if they had the money, the clothes and the cars.

The other concept evident is the value concept. Values are the ideas that are imposed to depict what is undesirable or desirable, bad or good. These vary with the situation at hand. They are also cut across, are abstract and general. Being respectful of ones parents is a value that seems to be instilled in this singers’ society through the song. Although this may be from a personal angle, it may also fit in a societal angle. The society also seems to feel the mothers’ pain. The singer explains that he cried back when her mother cried to her (stanza 4). He was ready to feel the pain of the ones close to him and he was ready to give her courage so that he would stop her from running away from her home.

The culture concept is also very evident in the song. There are various aspects of culture quite evident. From the genre of the song, it is evident that this is a hip-hop culture. This kind of culture is very popular among the African Americans so this song was sung to a society with a majority of the African Americans. The singers are also of African American origin. The hip-hop culture is known for the use of rap and vulgar language especially when in the context of secular music. Through the song’s lyrics, one identifies that the people use alcohol not only as an entertainment drink, but also as a stress-relieving substance. After crying with his mother, the singer explains that he bought drinks worth a thousand dollars. There might be many alcoholics in the society.

The nature of a society can be brought forth through songs and other pieces of art, literature and media. These depict a very large part of the society. Vulgar language, respect (especially for one parent who is usually the mother), the hip-hop culture amongst other cultures, money as measures of success are some of the many things seen in this particular society portrayed in this song. The song is entitled Successful and it focuses on money more than other factors present in the society, as the major factor of success. In this song, we see a society that yearns for wealth. It is whose use of language among the young people provokes concern. The society learns from the art or they depict their ways through the arts. Since the music seems to be directed to the African American community, it shows society’s influence is the same society. Members of a society influence one another in living a particular way or wanting particular things.

Work cited

Drake and Trey Songz. Successful. So far Gone, 2009. Lyrics World. Web.2 April, 2012. http://www.elyricsworld.com/successful_lyrics_trey_songz_ft_drake.html