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by Alex Cosper (12/27/15) Within a recogizable cultural framework the power of music goes even further. Virtually any topic you can name can take the form of a song. See the Musical Themes and Song Index section of Playlist Research to find songs that fit your favorite theme. While this index does not list every theme imaginable, it covers a wide terrain of common concerns. Furthermore, anyone who knows how to write a song can write about virtually anything from snorkeling to skydiving to alien invasions. Not that every song theme will be marketable, it's still a fact that poetic license allows for any topic to be set to a melody. Ironically, the music industry fails to take advantage of this simple fact, which is one of its many big mistakes. If you research the top songs of 2015, or any other year of the 21st century, for that matter, you'll find that pop music, which is supposed to be the broadest form of music, only deals with a narrow range of themes from sex to night clubs to narcissism to doing unhealthy things to doing illegal things. Of course, the generic love song has never quite disappeared. Clearly, pop music of the sixties through nineties dealt with a much wider scope of subject matter than the tightly controlled corporate music of the new century. That's a reflection partly how the structure of the music industry has shrunk from six to three major labels. Last century had hundreds of smaller labels on the charts, which also accounted for much more variety. If only the fallen music biz, which continues to struggle selling music in the 2010s, paid more attention to its own history. Then again, the big wide open holes in songwriting have opened the door for plenty of opportunities for independent artists to take advantage of untapped themes. All it takes is creativity to overpower the worn out short list of the themes that big biz keeps mindlessly pushing. Remember that music can potentially be used as background in any situation or in documentary films about anything. Here are examples of how themes you might not instantly associate with the mainstream can relate to music. accounting - the music industry regularly tracks weekly music sales data airlines - artists and executives regularly fly around the world for touring and industry meetings animals - pets can be fans of music too - some of them, like birds, are themselves singers architects - musical pioneers such as Chuck Berry are often called architects automation - music delivered through modern radio programming is commonly automated bankruptcy - many labels have gone bankrupt by over-spending on manufacturing and promotion brainwashing - repetitious beats have the power to hypnotize someone bus - many musicians who play live invest in tour buses business - to suggest that music is not a business is the same thing as calling it a hobby car - one of the most popular places to hear music is in a vehicle casino - many gambling facilities include stages for entertainment charity - it's very common for musicians to raise money for charities, especially since it's a tax write-off chemicals - traditional recorded formats involve petro chemicals in manufacturing circus - clowns often juggle to fun upbeat music college - bands build followings by performing at campuses and getting college airplay computers - computing devices are used to record and promote music construction - wealthier musicians plan building new homes with their high income cosmetology - musical celebrities often have a beauty professional style their hair credit - some rock stars go broke by running up credit cards crime - some artists get robbed while others use illegal substances data - in order to research musical popularity, you will need access to sales and concert data dating - many couples go dancing to enjoy night life doctor - hospitals and dental clinic often have soft music playing in the background economics - professional recording studios and touring require spending money education - songs can be used as learning tools, even as background elections - political candidates often use campaign theme songs electricity - a high percentage of live artists require AC power for their instruments engineering - sound technicians, often called engineers, are needed for recording and live events environment - music exists in nature such as whale singing exercise - dancing and singing involve physical activity fantasy - music lets you close your eyes and imagine whatever you want fashion - artists that emphasize clothing often have a wardrobe that includes new styles festival - some of the best concerts are big events that feature several bands fitness - physical fitness centers often use include music during workouts food - everyone has to eat, including music icons who seem bigger than life flowers - most weddings have flower girls who walk down the aisle while music plays funeral - favorite songs of the deceased play in the background as a tribute geography - world famous musicians track their progress in various regions graphics - graphic artists design artist logos, album covers and promotional material history - every artist biography is based on history over time holidays - some of the most successful songs ever were written about celebrated days on the calender hotel - part of the touring budget involves lodging housing - musicians need to pay rent or mortgage, whether they are rich or poor humanities - the study of human civilization would be incomplete without inclusion of cultural music humor - some of the most entertaining music is based on comedy insurance - artists, labels and recording studios invest in insurance to protect their assets internet - since it's no longer the eighties, artists need an online presence language - the music itself is a language, which also involves lyrics law - all professional songwriters are subject to international and national copyright laws manufacturing - recordings have traditionally been pressed and distributed in a physical format marketing - trying to sell albums without some form of marketing is practically impossible massage - many massage therapists use background music while they work on clients math - the musical notes and beats involve numberical values media - the most popular artists rely on media coverage to promote their careers medicine - since ancient times music has helped cultures heal from depression and anxiety meditation - music plays a big role in helping people relax while practicing meditation military - marching bands are used to motivate and celebrate troops nuclear - Jackson Browne's "No Nukes" movement helped shut down nuclear power plants ocean - beaches can be used as sound effects mixed in recordings passport - you'll need to get a series of passports as you plan your world tour peace - anthems for resolving disputes without fighting can rally multiple nations philosophy - some of the greatest songs ever like John Lennon's "Imagine" convey a world view physics - every musical pitch or radio station is based on frequencies, which involve physical vibrations plumbing - in order to sing in the shower, water needs to flow through your pipes politics - music careers are affected by various laws print - artists are greatly helped by critic reviews in newspapers and magazines prison - hundreds of stars have wound up in prison due to drug abuse or income tax evasion psychology - music has strong psychological impact on individuals radio - the number one way for national groups to get exposure is through local airplay in many regions recording - bedroom and professional audio equipment help circulate a repertoire religion - choirs make up one of the oldest forms of music that still exist today royalty - kings and queens have commissioned some of the greatest classical composers ever science - the technology that delivers recorded music is based on science security - the more famous an artist becomes, the more they are surrounded by security guards SEO - a good way to promote an artist website is through search engine optimization society - music just happens to be one of society's favorite pasttimes solar - it's now possible to power recording and live concerts with solar energy sports - most sporting events use music to motivate fans and players stocks - music industry professionals, including artists, invest in stocks to grow their assets taxes - it wasn't just the Beatles who had to pay the "Taxman" technology - recording and sound system technology deliver music to the masses tools - recording software is full of tools, which are also needed to keep instruments in good shape travel - the best way to make money from music is to tour city to city utility - in your to listen to recordings on a stereo system, you need power from an electric source venues - any place with a stage is a great place for artist exposure video - since the eighties, visual recordings have been used to commonly promote musicians weather - a big part of routing tour arrangements revolves around good and bad weather wedding - most wedding receptions include first dance and party music winery - weddings and parties with music are often held at these venues |
