Music

Music, what is music? According to Webster’s II: New Riverside University Dictionary, “music is the art of arranging tones in an orderly sequence so as to produce a unified and continuous composition” (www.cwrl.utexas.edu) In my opinion, music does not just have on actual meaning, music exists because people create it, perform it, and listen to it. Music is a sensation; it has different meaning for each individual. Music is when it produces interest to an individual and is pleasurable for him/her. Music is a way of relaxation for some people, while other people might just simply enjoy listening to the rhythms, sound, and melodies that passes through their ears, minds, and heart.

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Music in Lebanon has a great influence on the Lebanese society. Fayrouz, Sabah, Al Rahbani family..etc had a great influence on the Lebanese society in the past they still have a great influence on people but not as much as they used to. Al Rahbani family composed a lot of music that touched the people. They composed music to Fayrouz, who was very famous for her sensation, for the way she sent her message to the people by singing. Fayrouz sang a lot of songs that were dedicated to Lebanon, which touched the Lebanese people’s heart. Her music had a great effect on people. She was given a lot of attention and respect by the Lebanese society, and even by the Arab world. Al Rahbani family and fayrouz worked together most of the time to send the audience their message. Their songs had a lot of meaning and people used to listen to them wherever they went. Fayrouz was one of the Top singers back then and made a great change in music in the old days. She was respected by the Lebanese society, and until today people who talk about her criticize her in a good manner, and never in a negative way. However, Fayrouz was introduced to the history, and up till today still hear her, and listen to her music, especially that now-a-day this generation is interested in the Lebanese politics, they still use her music through the crisis of the country, for ex. “Bhibak ya Lebnan” and “Li Beirut” because her music has a meaning and gives the Lebanese society strength and power.

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However, today everything has changed the music, and the way people react to it. It affected the Lebanese society in a negative way. Even children now are influenced by today’s music negatively. In Lebanon people stopped listening much to the old songs and have become influenced by today’s music that doesn’t really have a meaning like before. For ex. Haifa Wehbe is one of the well known famous singers in the Arab world, she has influences the public by her sex appeal music which is only for entertainment and not patriotic or has a meaning like Fayrouz’s music were. Haifa’s music is being used for entertainment in night clubs, restaurants, parties, and many other places. The music now is very low quality but still it influenced the public, and even more than before. Singers do not use their voice or their music to reach people’s mind, ears, and their heart, they use advertisement and image to get to the people. Music in Lebanon now satisfies the people’s mood, and satisfies their need for entertainment. People are influenced by Haifa’s music such as the “wawa” song or the “naughty” song because it lifts their mood, and brings them joy. Although her music was criticized in a very bad manner, but people still listened to her music. Children now are more interested in music than children before were. Music now-a –day is evolving and is grabbing more and more attention than it was before. Music influenced all different kinds of people young, old, teenagers…etc. However, no matter how much music is being criticized they still listen to it, they like it and bring entertainment to them.

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In conclusion, music has great influence on all people, music talks to the soul, an individual needs music in his/her life, and because they are in the need of music they will react to it and feel it, but each individual looks for the music that touches him/her mood, personality, and their identity, that’s why there are different types of music, and every individual chooses what music to listen to according to their character.