People have known for a long time that there are benefits to listening to music. Despite this fact, rock music has often been demonized in the media, with people claiming it is linked to violence and depression. However, the opposite is true, with many positive benefits being linked to listening to rock music.
What is rock music?
Music is hard to define, as it can mean something different to every person. However, there is a pretty standard definition given by Tim Grierson, a writer for LiveAbout, an online entertainment journal.
“Rock music can be generally defined as hard-edged music performed with electric guitars, bass and drums and usually accompanied by lyrics sung by a vocalist,” Grierson said.
One of the great things about music is that it is so open to interpretation. A song might not sound the same to different people with different preferences.
This is where prejudice and judgement can come into play. People tend to not like things they do not understand. Rather than taking the time to read the actual lyrics or listen to the song, they hear yelling or more intense music and assume it is something negative.
When it comes to rock music, the lyrics are not necessarily promoting bad things. A song could have the same lyrics, but if it is set to rock instrumentals instead of pop instrumentals, people might say the music is bad or “violent.”
Rock music also gives people the freedom to find out who they are. Being one of the more experimental musical genres, there are less rules that musicians have to follow.
Natalie O’Keeffe is the lead singer in a rock band called "Family Dinner." They have released an EP and a new album, and just finished touring the U.S. opening for another rock band, "Highly Suspect." She shared how rock music has impacted her, and her bandmates.
“We all grew up listening to rock music and going to shows. It has given all of us a place to express ourselves and connect with like-minded individuals,” O’Keeffe said.
What are the benefits?
Music, for a lot of people, can be a distraction, a way to take a break from the stress and tasks of the day. However, rock music attempts to do the opposite by calling attention to real life to release emotions.
Healthdor, a comprehensive health and wellness platform, wrote about the effects rock music can have on people’s lives.
“Many rock songs address themes of resilience, rebellion and self-expression, which can resonate deeply with listeners and provide a sense of validation and catharsis,” the website reads.
Rock music allows people to be seen. There are so many expectations for musical artists in the popular genre, and that pressure can impact their work. With rock, artists are not censored, allowing them to write lyrics that mean something, giving fans music they can relate to.
In addition to this, rock music also has its benefits to the human mind. The California Learning Resource Network explains how rock music can physically affect the brain, causing an emotional reaction.
“Rock music is often designed to be attention-grabbing, with strong beats and memorable hooks. Our brains respond to this by increasing activation in the prefrontal cortex, an area responsible for attention and decision-making. This can improve our focus and concentration, making us more productive and alert,” the article reads.
The tone of rock music can even cause a dopamine release in the brain, causing feelings of happiness and a reduction of stress. Contrary to popular belief, listening to rock music can improve people’s moods.
Another benefit to rock music is its inclusivity. Women have been in performing fields for a long time, but have specifically helped with the forward movement of the music industry. Rock and roll is a big part of this, as women have always had a space to express themselves.
“Playing music has given me so much confidence and power in all areas of my life. Rock has shown me growing up that it’s okay to be loud and brash and to not fit into a box or society’s expectations of how a woman should be,” O’Keeffe said.
There is such a variety of musical genres, and everyone has the chance to find out what type they prefer. However, people should not spread false claims about a particular genre just because it is not what they prefer. Rock music is very beneficial to those who enjoy it.
