Literature, in modern terms, is different than the classics we as students learn in any English class. In regards to music, literature should be used loosely especially when writing about pop artists. There are timeless artists like the Beatles and Michael Jackson who have penned great "classics" themselves. However, pop music performed today seems to be at an all time low, done solely to entertain and make money off the ignorant masses. How else would society allow "artists" like Soulja Boy and Nickelback to reach such chart topping heights? One could argue that music is subjective, that it is up to the listener to decide whether there is meaning beyond the words, or just a song to shake his or her rump to. I feel, since music is subjective, that there should be criteria involved when determining whether contemporary music is literature. I believe that first and foremost the art should be created by the artist. Also, literature should enable the reader to take away something deeper and meaningful rather than a ten second high from grinding too hard.
Rihanna is a gorgeous woman who has a very distinct yet skilled voice. However, in my opinion, what she produces is not literature. I discovered, though I am sure many people know, that she co-writes some of her songs but has not written a song in its entirety. The Grammy award winning song "Umbrella" was written by Christopher Stewart and Kuk Harrell. Nick Sharpe's favorite song, "Shut Up and Drive", was written by Carl Sturken and Evan Rogers for her album Good Girl Gone Bad. When I listen to any particular artist, regardless of genre, I want to be able to connect with him or her on a personal level. How is this achieveable with Rihanna when I know that two men sat around and pinned lines like " Can you handle the curves? Can you run all the lights? If you can, baby boy, then we can go all night!". I do believe it is harder to categorize most mainstream contemporary pop artists as "literature" because, it is now to my understanding that majority of them do not write their own songs. They are indeed "performers" which means they are the antithesis to what literature is. Entertainment can be apart of literature but that is not it's sole purpose.
Antony Green is a name not recognizable to many people. He is relatively unknown within the larger scheme of things yet to me, his work is the embodiment of literature. Let us rewind the clocks back to 2005 when his band, Circa Survive, relaesed their firsrt gull length entitled Juturna. Literature is something that one can interpret and take away a deeper meaning for themselves. When I read the lyrics from the song "House of Leaves", I instanstly found a connection. Lines like "I've been lying wide awake paralyzed by the buzzing of the television. These modern things we know, getting you off" (Green) struck me in awe! The title of the song itself references one of the greatest works of all time, House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. Those lyrics address a deeper issue than metaphorically comparing the act of driving a car to sex. Green's lyrics speak of the mindfuck that is technology and the doldrums that resides in our minds while watching television, the irreplaceable numbness. Those simple two sentences to me are brilliantly composed and the subject matter keeps me thinking even after the song has finished playing.
I do not think that all pop artistis are fed to the masses as forms of entertainment. Michael Jackson is an excellent performer, but he is there to do just that, sell records. People will be studying his career for years to come, but will realize that he was not the one who penned Thriller. If we are to use literature to describe pop songs, give the credit to the unseen voice behind the music. Literature, all in all, requires substance, originality and is able to give the reader something to think about. Artists like Anthony Green satisfy these requirements, but no we cannot classify all contemporary artists as literature.
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