Ever notice how music has this uncanny ability to get people movin' and groovin'? In the 60s singers crooned about the misled legions of war, and the 70s wouldn't have been the same without "Stayin' Alive." From politics to social issues to love, music can be seen as a barometer of a certain generation's priorities and intentions.
 
Now that we've made it to the 21st century, you'd think our song lyrics would reflect a sense of accomplishment, progress, and creativity. We call musicians "artists" because they work within a particular craft to express their innermost thoughts and feelings in a brand new way. So what are the music "artists" of today writing?
 
A song popular in the realm of country music is "Southern Voice" by Tim McGraw. The lyrics trace through history to connect the foundation of our nation to the present day. All is well and good until McGraw flubs a line and says "Pocahontas tracked it," implying that it was Pocahontas who tracked the South - not Sacagawea. For a song so focused on American pride, you'd think the writer would take the time to actually read a history book and check the facts.
 
So that song was a letdown..let's move on to "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum. The female lead singer wails, "It's a quarter after one, I'm a little drunk and I need you now. Said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now." The perfect message to influence generations of impressionable young women! When someone hurts you, just get drunk and call them late at night with the promise of sex.
 
Okay, we've seen the political and sexual influences of music, but what happens when song lyrics and belly dance collide? A recent music video released by rap artists Avenue Ty and Breezo called "Snake Chama" showcased a group of dancers (two of them very well known within the industry) writhing and shaking their rumps to the amusement of the singers. In the background was a piece of pathetically sewn together ersatz Turkish music, adding insult to injury, and the deplorable chorus repeated "Move your body like a snake, mama. I'm a snake chama."
 
I'm sorry, but they've taken this one step too far. A belly dancer is not an "animal" that needs to be "tamed." The further metaphor of women being snakes carries with it a heavy implication as well. It gets me wondering, when will the music of our time reflect common spirit and values instead of misguided messages? 

And how can we expect to further educate the public of the art of Oriental Dance when those within the dance genre choose to represent us as strippers, harem whores or sex objects?   To say I'm disappointed in these two ladies would be an understatement.  But I'm leaving that entry for another day...