Few things create a deeper divide between generations than music. From Elvis to Beyoncé, parents have complained for decades about the lyrics, beat or volume coming from their teen’s room. But what might happen if we tried instead to step into the space today’s teen inhabits?
Imagine if, when you were a teenager, a caring adult asked why certain music resonated with you? Or what if they asked why your favorite artist was so special?
Taylor Swift is many kids’ favorite artist and arguably one of the biggest stars in music today. Her latest album, Midnights, continues to make history. The fastest-selling album of her career made Taylor the first artist in history to capture the top 10 spots on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart. In 2022, she had 36.6 billion combined streams of her music. Both teens and adults connect with her on a deep level, many devotedly waiting online for days to get concert tickets. What draws fans to Taylor and her music?
This question applies to music across the board. Because music, inherently, is a window into the soul — sometimes speaking for an entire generation. What we’re listening to tells us what we care about, what we’re feeling and the way we see the world. What if we ask teens questions like, “What about this song resonates with you? Why do you like (artist) so much?”
From here we can consider, “What does this tell me about their heart and what teenagers today are encountering?” Lean in and meet them where they are, even if their favorite genre embodies your worst nightmare.
We want kids to know we care, and that starts with being interested in what they care about. Whether it’s Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, Kendrick Lamar or someone else, curiosity about their musical influences can help start a dialogue.
Here are some approaches:
- Casually ask your teen what song he just listened to; then ask him to look up those lyrics and discuss them with you.
- Talk about the redeeming themes in the song, like love or forgiveness.
- If there are sexual, vulgar or violent references, use these as a springboard for another conversation.
These questions help us walk with the Gen Z teens in our lives as they learn how to discern musical influences.
In Young Life, we go where kids are — which includes their musical interests. Let’s come alongside them and start conversations about what they’re hearing. Knowing when we ask, “What’s going on in that song?” we’re also asking, “What’s going on in your soul?”