When love is experienced, oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin are released into areas of the brain associated with pleasure and rewards. Like the effects of certain drugs, perceived pain decreases, excitement increases, and, in some cases, judgement falters. The fact that love is comparable to a drug makes it obvious why it is highly desirable. Due to this, I, along with my partner Mary-Kate Carrigan, decided to study love in various cultures via music. In this and future blog posts, I will be comparing two popular songs from two different cultures. Subsequent comparison will give insight into how love is unique to each culture.
Because love is highly popular among individuals of all ages, it is a viable choice for artists to include in songs. People listen to things that resonate with them somehow. If love is frequently on people’s minds, then there is a high chance they will connect with songs about love, which subsequently increases the chances of an artist producing the next greatest hit of today. Both Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” and Banda MS’s “Mi Razón De Ser” became popular in part due to that reason—focus on love. However, though the general topic was equivalent, the inner components were different. The former represents an independent lifestyle in the United States whereas the latter presents an interdependent lifestyle in Mexico.
An independent lifestyle is characterized by individuality, uniqueness, influential ability, freedom, and equality (Clash! xiii). Houston’s song represents this ideology. In comparison, an interdependent lifestyle is characterized by relation to others, similarity, ability to adjust, rootedness, and ranked order (xiii). Banda MS’s song embodies this mentality. Differences in culture are noticeable by the title and first scene in the music video.
The English translation of the Mexican song is, according to Google Translate, “my reason to be.” Though a possessive pronoun (“my”) is used, his reason for existing is based around something else. In this case, it is his girlfriend who he loves deeply. Whitney Houston’s title, however, places emphasis on the individual using the word “I.” Feelings for another individual (the “you”) are clearly mentioned, but the focus is on the individual. Based on this, love, depending on the culture, is expressed by an individual to others (independent) or created in an individual by others (interdependent).
The first scene of each music video further emphasizes the cultural differences of love in music. Presented below are screenshots from both music videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WHh7gMJqV4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JWTaaS7LdU
By including two people in the first scene of the Mexican song, it establishes how love requires a union of people in interdependent cultures. Then, the appearance of Houston herself in the first scene of “I Will Always Love You” suggests love is individual-based.
Moving past the initially noticeable differences, the lyrics tell a different story. Based on what was previously discussed, I challenge you to determine which of the following lyrics fit each song:
Option 1: “To find someone like you/With the simplicity that characterizes you/Hasn’t been easy work because you’re unique.”
Option 2: “If I should stay, I would only be in your way/So I’ll go, but I know/I’ll think of you every step of the way.”
The English version of “Mi Razón De Ser” was Option 1 and “I Will Always Love You” was Option 2. If you were like me, they would have appeared similar and hard to distinguish. This suggests that love at its core is the same across cultures. Outward expressions may be different, but the emotion of love is equivalent. Additionally, it can take many forms, including friendship/platonic love, unrequited love, unconditional love, or self-love. Variation is evident by the differing tones of each song. Banda MS’s song leaves the listener feeling uplifted whereas Houston’s song portrays deep emotion. As such, love itself has the same essence and can take on multiple forms, regardless of cultural influence.
Songs are products of the culture they were created in. “I Will Always Love You” and “Mi Razón De Ser” are both popular within their cultures but differ greatly. An independent culture focuses on the individual’s experience, which explains why love is in relation to only Houston in the music video. An interdependent culture focuses on relation to others. For example, the English-translated song title “my reason to be” suggests an individual’s happiness is the result of somebody else.
From this experience, I was surprised how slight variations in lyrics or visual images portray cultural differences. I am excited to share with you further insights I gain during the upcoming blog posts because I thoroughly enjoy listening to music. I’ll play it while exercising, during homework, in the shower, or to change my mood. I hope you share a similar passion as me.
Happy almost Valentine’s Day!
Adria's Music Blog 