Teens VS. The World - [Feature Article]

Teens Vs. The World Untold plight of an oppressed generation

Renee Terz reports

It’s 2013 and the world is different, we know that. But has it really changed? Are we moving forward? Or have we stopped? Have the issues that we, as a society, faced 20, 30 years ago been resolved? Racism, sexism, abuse and poverty still exist and have become even more prevalent. We don’t have world peace or a solution for global warming. These controversial social issues have always been at the forefront of intense media attention, the top of the world’s ‘to-do’ list and the number one priority. Surprisingly, they haven’t been fixed, solved or dealt with.

As these issues persist, the question of who to blame is often answered by pointing the finger at our youngest generation, the ‘leaders of the future’, the energetic, innovative, creative adolescents. And so, as the current generation of teenagers find themselves experiencing their first kisses, first days of high school, nasty friendships and controlling parents, they are also faced with the overwhelming issues of a society they are expected to influence and inspire. Of course, where there are songs about the first kisses, first days, friends and parents there are also songs addressing the world, our society and the idea of change.

Much of music today that deals with social commentary does so with prejudiced ideologies of responsibility and culpability at heart.   

It Always Seems to Go
The classic, ageless nature of music

Originally released by Joni Mitchell, Big Yellow Taxi has been referred to as a cultural phenomenon. Recorded during the 70’s, a period known for iconic, reactionary tunes, Big Yellow Taxi advocates for the protection of the environment. The timeless relevance and meaning of the song, as well as it’s unfailing

popularity has led to the track being covered four times by different artists over the last 40 years. Most recently recorded by Counting Crows in 2003, the song is still well-known by younger generations.

When Big Yellow Taxi was first released, the song reflected the cultural values of a society only beginning to comprehend the environmental impact of urban development. The song speaks directly of Mitchell’s reaction to the destruction of a forest in Hawaii to build a resort. Through the lyrics, it is obvious that Joni Mitchell aimed to encourage listeners to accept that urban development caused the destruction of beauty.

“They paved paradise and put up a parking lot”

When Mitchell released the song, this phrase encompassed the key message she was trying to portray. It outlines her beliefs relating to the topic of environmentalism and conservation. Through the use of the word ‘paradise’, listeners are invited to adopt a protective discourse. By depicting the natural environment as faultless, perfect, an ‘ideal’, it encourages listeners to act against the destruction caused by urban development and protect what Mitchell believes is paradise. Interestingly, the biblical representation of ‘paradise’ is very similar to the image she is trying to portray. Incorporating a religious discourse meant that listeners related her message to ideas of hope and faith. This similar representation of paradise further emphasised the importance of the protection of the environment against urban development.

“They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum
And they charged the people a dollar and a half to see them”

This verse further emphasises the immoral nature in the destruction of our environment for money. The lyrics describe the irony involved in cutting down trees only to build a museum in which to display them. By using this style of language and representing the destruction of trees as pointless, Mitchell presented an alternative reading to listeners. In this, she suggested that as well as being destructive, urban development served no true purpose.

Through Mitchell’s use of specific, stimulating language and clever use of irony she positioned the listener to accept the ideas surrounding environmentalism that are represented in the lyrics. The popularity and success of this song in the 1970’s is entirely related to the values and beliefs that were shared by Joni Mitchell and her audience about this relatively modern social issue. However, as the first-world society has progressed and the issue of sustainability and urban development has become familiar and less eminent, the influence and feeling of the song has changed.

“Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone”

To ensure the listeners feel connected and attached to the lyrics in this section the artist has used second-person narrative and a simple, straightforward approach. It’s almost begging for you to respond with: “Yes! Yes it does!” In Big Yellow Taxi’s latest release by the Counting Crows in 2003, this particular phrase is of greater significance and importance than ever before. While the environmental basis of the song still exists, the views and beliefs of a different social context have shifted the focus to incorporate contemporary issues. In particular, the ideas of regret and despair that are reflected in this phrase allow youth to easily relate and respond to the message of the song.

While teenagers face the harsh reality of growing up, losing the innocence of their childhood and standing up against a world with huge expectations, Big Yellow Taxi provides comfort and  reassurance  in relation to the normality of feeling ‘powerless’ that is a part of this ‘crazy thing called life’.

They’re Just Waiting on the World
Can we blame them for their apprehension?

John Mayer is an American pop and blues rock musician, singer-songwriter, recording artist and music producer who has had huge success both in the U.S. and around the world. While his time in Hollywood has left him with some public disapproval and criticism, no-one can argue that his music isn’t some of the best of his generation.

His song ‘Waiting on the World to Change’, released in 2006, was one of the first that directly addressed the lack of change the world has undergone. Kelefa Sanneh of the New York Times called the song “a lovely and anger-free ode to a vaguely dissatisfied generation.” The single ‘Waiting on the World to Change’ from his album ‘Continuum’ is a moving apologia for ‘Gen Z’s’ seemingly endless sense of ‘apathy’.

“Me and all my friends we’re all misunderstood
They say we stand for nothing and there’s no way we ever could”

In the first verse, Mayer develops the foundation for the political theme seen through the song.  Although the lines seem vague, after a little scrutiny it is clear to see who is being represented in the lyrics. The phrase ‘me and all my friends’ refers to Mayer and his entire generation; a generation of young, confused teenagers. Conversely, ranging from disapproving parents to reigning governments, ‘they’ could refer to anyone with the ability to tyrannise or intimidate these same adolescents. These lyrics also represent Mayer and his generation as though they expect the world to change so that they can hold onto their fixed views. 

”Now we see everything that’s going wrong with the world and those who lead it
We just feel like we don’t have the means to rise above and beat it”

In these lines it is possible for listeners to expose a discourse of hopelessness and distress that Mayer believes is being felt by an oppressed generation. Through the words ‘we don’t have the means to rise above and beat it’, Mayer tries to explain to the listener the reason for Gen Z’s apparent ‘lack of concern’ relating to world issues and the overwhelming sense of understanding. He directly exposes his belief that the oppression of youth is related to the increasing magnitude of social issues. The first-person perspective Mayer exploits in the lyrics encourages listeners to feel comfortable to adopt the ideology Mayer privileges because of the personable aspect it provides.

“So we keep waiting, waiting on the world to change”

Finally, the repetition of these lyrics throughout the song suggests that Mayer believes they embrace the values and beliefs he is attempting to represent. As the lyrics describe, listeners are invited to accept that ‘teens’ or ‘Gen Z’ have been seemingly inactive because they are waiting for the world to change for them.

While the youth of today view Mayer’s song as relevant and significant in meaning, other listeners may find they are reluctant to accept Mayer’s ‘excuse’ for his generation.  This resistant reading may originate from an older group who feel as though it is the responsibility of the younger generation to create change and influence the world.

These two songs are intended to bring about change, make us doubt our way of thinking and the things we take for granted. Is it right to place the blame on a generation who haven’t had the chance to drive, see an ‘R’ rated movie or vote?

So, as the world changes before us, will we be able to act in time to save the social and physical integrity of it? Will we spend too long waiting for it to change for us?  Or is it true that we can’t truly see the beauty of what we have until we lose it?