study shows songs are about drinking smoking and drugs  

I listen to music that has a good beat or strikes an emotion in me. I don't pay as much attention to the lyrics as I do the melody but I could go for 2 Pina Coladas right now. LoL

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I listen mostly to Classical music, which often has no lyrics. When there are lyrics, they are either in a language I don't understand, are religious in nature or speak approvingly of all manner of sins. I also like folk music and the lyrics of many songs are quite explicit! I don't find that this choice of music has substantially affected my ethos, though it may have educated it. In my younger days I was exposed to tobacco adverts and I believe that that has done me more harm than anything.

I do worry sometimes that the atypical and egocentric lifestyle of many 'pop' heroes (and therefore their lyrics) may influence the younger generation. I am pleased to say, however, that that has not, on the whole, been my experience - having raised three kids through teenage to adulthood. I believe that the increase of violence in movies, on TV and in video games has had a more insidious influence on society than the lyrics of popular songs.

Like everything, if you don't want your child or children to listen then make sure they can't hear it.For me. I don't have a problem with the lyrics of either rap or country. I have been listening to country since 1974.I was seven.There have always been songs about drinking.It wasn't the Only subject but it was a major one. And guess what, I don't drink. I never thought, wow they are singing about drinking I guess I better try it.And I haven't heard that many rap songs to know how many songs are drug related.It all depends on the child, the family or lack thereof if a child drinks at an early age or not.

I guess people have different taste in music. I like rock music, alternative, new wave or metal...It is in each persons preference which music they like most. This music with lyrics about sex, drugsand alcohol is not new to us but is really less important to some people. Mostly the beat and the rythym to me is what catches me. To be honest with you I don't even know this singers you mentioned. In our country mostly lyrics are cut when there's foul words. It's really unnoticeable...I just go with the flow not minding the lyrics.:P

haha.. .drugs and alcohol references are in lots of songs. Generally this is because it is something most people struggle with at one point or other. Artists like to express moments in their life of intense pain or struggle.

One of my favorite songs was a Barenaked ladies song entitled ALcohol. MOst of Amy Winehouse's songs have flooded with references to booze and drugs. One whole song she has is called "green Man" refering to her marjuana dealer.

I think it is so present because these things are so ingrained in our lives. Try going to an occasion without having alcohol to celebrate it?? Genearlly there is at least wine.

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i believe people know what they are listening to and the writer of that article for sure also listen to those songs. its just a matter of deciding whether the song could get into your way of living, music are being played for relaxation purposes right, i don't think its wrong.

The study is sort of flawed in that they didn't go through ALL of the music, although I have to admit that I haven't really kept up with the stuff that came out today. There's also quite a lot of sexual references in many of the songs, some hidden, & some explicit. That does not only include rap & country, but throughout every genre. From what I have tried out, songs like that seem to dominate all. I don't think it's a matter of perception where my mind is still stuck in the gutter either.

A close second might be love songs that are pretty much that, & family oriented, some sad, & some happy. I am surprised, however, that there aren't too many "Stop the war" protest songs this time around.