Just Forget about it.
I think one of the most worrying trends I see with
teenagers at the moment is the constant messages to forget. Bad things
didn't happen if you don't remember them, but eventually it does catch up and
sometimes in the most tragic ways. At the moment there are 3 songs playing in
epidemic proportions on our radio waves and all with a message of "I can't
remember what happened last night, but it was great and we are going to do this
again." But how does this translate to what is really happening with
teenagers? And what is the counter to this trend? What can we offer our
teens that replaces the "fun" of forgetting?
I am sure you have all guessed One of the songs I am
talking about is Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night", for those that
don't know it, here are some of the lyrics:
There's a stranger in my bed,
There's a pounding my head
Glitter all over the room
Pink flamingos in the pool
I smell like a minibar
DJ's passed out in the yard
Barbie's on the barbeque
Is this a hickie or a bruise?
Pictures of last night
Ended up online
I'm screwed
Oh well
It's a black out blur
But I'm pretty sure it ruled
Last Friday night
Yeah we danced on tabletops
And we took too many shots
Think we kissed but I forgot
Last Friday night
We went streaking in the park
Skinny dipping in the dark
Then had a menage a trois
Last Friday night
Yeah I think we broke the law
Always say we're gonna stop-op
Whoa-oh-oah
This Friday night
Do it all again
It's light, fun, as catchy as the worst ad jingle and is
totally loved by many teens and even pre-teens. The gentlest criticism I have
for it is pool and room don't rhyme, even the oo's sound different in each
word. You could almost transpose those lyrics into a minor key, have it
sung by a guys and you have a great emo suicide song. But it gives that whole
message "Forget about it, it was fun."
The next one is from a guys point, thanks to Good
Charlotte :
All that I remember is that you had
me at hello.
I knew right when I met her that I
wouldn’t take it slow.
The more we heard the music, the
more we got in synch.
The more I kept you laughing, the
less I stopped to think.
The last thing I remember, you said
this place is beat.
It must have gotten crazy, cause I
can’t recall a thing.
Last night, can’t remember.
What happened? Where’d we go?
I woke up this morning.
Where’s my car? Where’s my keys?
Where’s my clothes?
I feel my head still spinning but
I’m doing alright
Cause I think I just had the best
night of my life.
Last night, can’t remember.
What happened? Did it happen? Last
night.
Ah, it's just boys being boys isn't it? Again it's a
catchy major key tune, it is almost the epitome of fun. Yay, look at me, I got
drunk and fucked a random... I think?
The next comes from an artist with a long list of shitty
song lyrics. Like "Hey you, I don't like your girlfriend", and
"Haha bitch, you are stuck at home with one of those awful baby things and
I have that sk8er boy you always wanted who is now a fucking rock-god."
(second one maybe paraphrased a little bit.). Anyway if you don't know
who I am talking about it's Canadian Punk-pop artist, Avril Lavigne and her
song "Smile"
Last night I blacked out, I think.
What did you, what did you put in
my drink?
I remember making out and then
Oh oh
I Woke up with a new tattoo
Your name was on me and my name was
on you.
I would do it all over again
Whoa, boundary crossing there just a bit? Spiked her
drink and then got your name tattooed on her body? But again, it was fun and
full of happy-go-lucky-craziness.
And now some words from a 16yr old girl, growing up
under the influence of this pop-porn culture.
What Glitters Isn't Gold...
"Getting high, going to a
night party, waking up in the sink. Hahaha :)"
May be funny to your friends at the
time but you
Hit your best friend,
had your parents looking for
you all night,
woke up sick,
can't find anything,
don't know your way home,
don't have any money to get home,
you lied to your family,
and nothing to do but sit down and
post what you thought was cool and funny.
Is that all you wanted to say,
is that all you wanted the world to know. You won't remember the rest until a
few hours even days later and you find that the worst that you could have ever
imagined has become your reality and you are stuck to it like nail on the wall,
being driven in more and more because all you want to do is forget.
Please don't waist your words on
something you didn't want to remember because you influence others to
think the same.The story that you share with others is not what it seems,
Whatever Glitters Isn't Gold!
Ain't no boppy tune could make those words sound
fun. Nuff said.
It is time to help them start creating memories they
don't ever want to forget. I think where adult generations have gone wrong in
the past is to counter all sexuality with shame rather than build esteem and
foster healthy choices and healthy sexuality. The only way this can be tackled
is with critical thinking and the self respect to make good choices.
...just a few thought I have had.
