Earlier this month, I was scrolling on Instagram Reels and came across a video of a creator dancing to the audio “Copacabana” by Barry Manilow. The video camewith the caption “POV: You thought the lyrics were about a fun night out.” In reality, while the song is deceptively upbeat, it tells the tragic story of Lola, a showgirl working at the copacabana, and how she loses the love of her life, ultimately falling into a spiral of alcoholism. The clip had amassed thousands of likes, with some commenting that they also didn’t know the hidden message of the song, while others admonished the creator, insinuating that she didn’t actually know the song because she was unaware of the meaning. I found myself torn between these two perspectives. On one hand, I was upset to see a song I had been listening to since I was 10-years-old reduced to a popular audio, but on the other hand, I was glad to see the song get the recognition it deserved. Although it can feel tempting to tie a sense of exclusivity to certain tracks, music is a shared tradition that deserves to be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of a perceived sense of ownership.
In the age of social media, music has become increasingly mainstream and accessible to the masses, with 63 percent of users reporting that they have discovered new artists on social media, according to MusicWatch, a music and entertainment industry research firm. Gatekeeping is not a new phenomenon, but accessibility to music has spurred fans to increasingly claim ownership over an artist’s music. This creates a hierarchical fan dynamic, in which listeners are defined through a series of arbitrary criteria that overlooks the value of connection that music provides.
The sentiment of exclusivity reflects a natural desire to preserve individuality in the form of a unique music taste. However, the effects can be far-reaching as an increasing number of songs gain traction on social media. 61.5% of students at the school report having listened to an artist before they gained widespread popularity, according to a Chronicle poll. Although fans may have good intentions in wanting to cultivate a base where everyone feels equally connected to an artist’s music, protectiveness over music can undercut an artist’s impact. It can potentially limit the scope of the audience and force a narrow interpretation of an artist’s message on a group of diverse listeners.
To ameliorate this, fanbases should should embrace open forums across social media where listeners can reflect on their impressions of a song, allowing fans to be exposed to diverse perspectives of the artist’s music. This would allow for increased accessibility to an artist’s discography and fan base, promoting inclusivity and fostering community through a shared interest.
Throughout history, music has been a powerful tool for memory and culture. Music flourishes when it spans generations and geographical boundaries, transcending typical barriers and allowing a variety of listeners to enjoy melodies, lyrics and instrumentals with their unique interpretation. Moreover, listening to music leads to improved mental well-being and reduced levels of anxiety and depression, according to a study published by Harvard Medical School. These potential health benefits mean that music should be accessible to everyone.
Overall, people ought to utilize social media as a way to connect people, rather than divide them. By opening up fan bases to a variety of listeners and encouraging meaningful discourse around music, we can better foster a sense of belonging around an artist and embrace diversity and individuality in the musical community.
