Response to Success and Liberation Aim

I felt the aim that was more popular between the Hinduism aim of success and liberation was the aim of success.  I felt it was easier to find songs related to success because in today’s society people strive to become rich and successful. Many people dream of fame and fortune, so it’s easy to put their dreams of making it big in a song. Many singers have achieved their goal in making it big and reaching the top and they want to tell everyone about how successful they are. Because many artists today can be egotistical their songs reflect that by broadcasting their achievements of fortune.  What surprised me while I was looking for songs on liberation was that most fell under the alternative/rock category. Most songs about success fell under pop or hip-hop. I think because of their genre of music, the alternative/rock artists tend to write more low key songs involving being set free and letting go. I also found that some artists who did write about success had a tough road to get there and express that in their music. They also talk about how even though they are rich and famous; they are still real no matter their social status. This contradicts my earlier thoughts of celebrities wanting to brag about their wealth. I do believe that is still the case in many songs especially in the world of hip-hop but many of those songs talk about the hardships it took to get them there. The difference between the aim of success and liberation in Hinduism and that represented in music is that the ultimate goal of Hindus is to reach moksha or liberation and the goal of most Americans today is to be successful. Hinduism recognizes the importance of material wealth for the overall happiness and well being of an individual. A house holder requires wealth, because he has to perform many duties to uphold dharma and ensure the welfare and progress of his family and society. Although in today’s society one does require wealth to support ones family, their success does not correlate with dharma. People today what success and to be wealthy for many selfish reasons and in Hinduism their goals are completely unselfish and are just to ultimately reach liberation.

Liberation Aim

1. Jimmy Eat World, "Hear You Me", Alternative Rock 2001
2. Carolina Liar, "Show Me What I'm Looking For", Alternative Rock 2009
3. Switchfoot, "Learning To Breathe", Alternative Rock 2000
4. Creed, "Higher", Rock 1999
5.The Used "The Taste Of Ink", Alternative Rock 2002

Success Aim

1. Kanye West ft T-Pain, "Good Life", Hip-Hop 2007
2. Nickleback, "Rockstar", Rock 2007
3.Fergie ft Ludacris, "Glamorous", Pop 2007
4.Lupe Fiasco,"Superstar", Hip-Hop 2007
5. T.I , "Hell Of A Life", Hip-Hop 2009

Response to Pleasure and Community Service Aim

The aim that was most prevalent was the Hindu aim of pleasure. This was evidently more prominent because today's culture is so obsessed with sex,drugs and alcohol which all fall under the pleasure aim. It is much easier to write a song about something that satisfies you then writing about helping others. Artists want to appeal  to their audience and their audience wants to hear about sex. Everywhere you look in  magazines, TV, billboards the media paints this picture of sexuality and that being associated with glitz and glamour. As a society we want to be fantasized by that idea so that's why we would rather listen to songs about promiscuity that then ones about giving to others. What I was surprised to find while searching for songs for the pleasure aim just how explicit the lyrics were to some of the songs. Although swear words our bleeped out on the radio, when you really listen to the lyrics to some songs they are very descriptive in describing sex. It is truly surprising to see what is socially acceptable now compared to the songs that used to be on the radio. It's amazing what artists get away with when talking about sex in their songs and they gain such popularity. It was very hard to find songs related to community service which was very disappointing because artists have such influence on society and with more songs about giving back and helping others it could really inspire people to do the same. The difference between the pleasure aim and what is discussed in popular music is that Hindu belief states that pleasure should always be done within the realm of dharma. It is not to be done in excess and self pleasure should be done in a virtuous matter. Another big difference is that what is virtuous depends on the person's cast system.  Every individual in a society is expected to achieve the four aims in Hinduism and seek fulfillment in his or her  life before departing from here. That is very different then what is portrayed in popular music because it seems to focus on one aim more than another without any balance.

Pleasure Aim

1. J.Holiday, "Bed", R&B, 2007
2.Chris Brown, "Take You Down", R&B, 2008
3. Mike Posner, "Bow Chicka Wow Wow", Hip Hop/Pop, 2010
4. Kings of Leon, "Sex On Fire", Rock, 2008
5. Mariah Carey, "Touch My Body" R&B/Pop, 2008

Community Service Aim

1.John Lennon, "Imagine", Rock, 1971
2.Ben Harper, "With My Own Two Hands", Alternative/Rock, 2003
3.Carrie Underwood "Change", Country, 2009
4.Michael Jackson "Heal The World", Pop, 1991
5.Supertramp "Give a Little Bit", Rock, 1977