PROPAGATION OF VALUES THROUGH SONG-LYRICS

ABSTRACT

The focus of this study, in accordance with the title " Propagation of Values Through Song-Lyrics: a case study of select Nigerian Popular Music Artistes," investigated and examined the existence of values in songs by select Nigerian contemporary artistes, thereby disproving the popular belief that contemporary songs lack life values. Music/song is a product of human culture and, as a result, contains the values that guide and shape the context of the culture in which it is produced, whether contemporary or not. Through the review of extant and credible related literature, a background that clarifies and posits the interconnectedness between words laid to musical sound ("songs") and values in the context of societal and individual culture sets the groundwork for the analysis of the literary contents in each selected song from the selected musicians. These songs were “it is what it is” and call on me by Adekunle Gold, “Na Money and Fia Fia” by Davido, “Forgive and Faithfull” by Chike, “Lai Lai and wonder woman” by Yemi Alade, “Uyo Meyo and FBI” by Teni, “Mind Your Business and Smile For Me” by Simi, “Somebody’s Son and Koroba” by Tiwa Savage, “Buga and Eko” by Kizz Daniel, “Bimpe and Show me Off” by Asa, “Se bo Ti mo and Olanrewaju” by Brymo. The study examines singular parts of the song's lyrics in relation to the major themes established by the song lyrics to unveil the values that are expressed by, shape, and must have given rise to the songs. This achievement aligns with the objectives of the study. The study concludes with an articulation of the different perspectives employed in the analysis of the songs and a summarization of the entirety of the study while buttressing the position that value is inherent in songs and as a popular artform, the propagation of values by musicians through them is inevitable.