I wrote this for an English essay I had to do my first semester of college. It was about the impact of popular culture on America's youth. This was the second "A" I have ever received on an English assignment so I am very proud. The topic I talked about in this essay is very close to me, which made it easier to write from my heart and not just for the sake of writing it.

All I ask is that you do not copy or plagiarize this. This essay is posted here exactly as my written original copy with the exception of my name and info like that.

        Music will always have an influence on America’s pop culture. A majority of the music has a positive influence on today’s youth. Some artists have even been able to save lives through their music, whether intentionally or not.
        For example, there is a band called Linkin Park. They have been around since 1999, have three publicly released multi-platinum CD’s and one independent CD. Linkin Park consists of six members: Chester Bennington (vocals), Mike Shinoda (emcee/guitar), Joseph Hahn (DJ), Dave “Phoenix” Farrell (bass), Brad Delson (guitar), and Rob Bourdon (drums). They incorporate rock, hip-hop, rap and electronica to form a unique sound. They originally were called Hybrid Theory, but due to legal circumstances (another band had the same name) they were forced to change it. They decided upon Linkin Park with this particular spelling because the domain name was cheaper. They created a sound that is now copied by up and coming artists of various genres. Their unique styles and songs provide outlets for people that can easily be related to, without actually spelling it out for them. They are able to create an outlet with their lyrics where people can compare them to their lives and possibly provide a new outlook on their problems that they may not have seen before. Many times artists like these are able to save lives. There are three songs by Linkin Park that I think represent their positive impact, using their lyrics, on America’s youth. The songs are “Somewhere I Belong”, “Faint”, and “Numb” off of their most recent album Meteora.
        The lyrics of Linkin Park’s song “Somewhere I Belong” provide the listener with a journey and a sense of hope. They make it easy for people to believe that there is a way to survive anything and to not give up. It’s about a journey to find his or herself. It tells people that everyone goes through the same if not similar things at some point in their lives. Here’s a sample of lyrics from the song:

        I will never know
        Myself until I do this on my own
        And I will never feel
        Anything else until my wounds are healed
        I will never be
        Anything ‘til I break away from me
        And I will break away
        And find myself today

        I want to heal
        I want to feel like I’m
        Somewhere I Belong

        Another Linkin Park song with a positive impact for teens is called “Faint.” Most teenagers can relate to it because many of them are ignored or made to think that they aren’t important. This song gives teens a voice to say to the world that they won’t be ignored anymore. It’s a way for them to speak their minds about how they are treated. The chorus of the song says it the best:

        I can’t feel
        The way I did before
        Don’t turn your back on me
        I won’t be ignored
        Time won’t heal
        This damage anymore
        Don’t turn your back on me
        I won’t be ignored

        No
        Hear me out now
        You’re gonna listen to me
        Like it or not
        Right now

        A third song is called “Numb.” It’s about going through so many bad things that you start to not believe anything good ever could or ever did happen and of never being good enough for anyone else. The following is an excerpt of the lyrics to “Numb”:

        I’ve
        Become so numb
        I can’t feel you there
        Become so tired
        So much more aware
        I’m becoming this
        All I want to do
        Is be more like me
        And be less like you

        Can’t you see that you’re smothering me
        Holding too tightly
        Afraid to lose control
        Cause everything that you thought I would be
        Has fallen apart right in front of you

        As you can see Linkin Park has a positive impact on people, especially teens, through their music. With artists like Linkin Park around there is hope that America’s pop culture will continue to have positive effects on those whose lives it affects whether intentionally or otherwise.