That "shotgun bride" song is pure trash, just like many american rap songs that feature a violent, disrespectful content. I don't even sing Eric Claptan's "Cocaine" because of the message. There are thousands of garbage tunes that are thrown at us each year that should NEVER be heard, but we have this "free speech" issue that people abuse alot. It's a pity.
The music on the pop stations (in the US, anyway) is loaded with crap from cop-killing to infidelity to self harm. I agree that music is a vehicle for these terrible, harmful thoughts to travel in, but I can't see the codependency issue in the light, pop, country songs that speak of love...in our previous posts.
I understand that you deal with troubled youths, and that is certainly admirable. I wish I had a crystal ball to see into the head of my 16 yr old, but that's not the point - the point is, LOVE is good. I know you agree with that....you seem like a genuine, loving person.
I just hate it when people try to trash the simple, good things in life by over analasys. I think we agree that there is too much hurtful, and harmful lyric in the music world - but that is no different than the literary word, or the theatre or the cinema, or even TV for Pete's sake! This evil lurks everywhere, and it's up to each of us to partake in it, or not. I choose NOT to. My songs are positive and entertaining, and harm no one. I avoid the drug topics, and I don't use harsh language either. I treat my craft, not only as an Art form, but as a public forum as well. As a performer, we have an obligation to the public to put out a useful product and do it in an entertaining manor.
Music doesn't hurt pople - the writers of the crap do....does....whatever.

[This message has been edited by Uncle Dave (edited 01-16-2002).]