Sociology In Music

Sociology In Music

     There are three main theories in sociology that define how society is portrayed. First, symbolic interactionism is a theoretical perspective in which society is viewed as composed of symbols that people use to establish meaning, develop their views of the world, and communicate with one another. Second, conflict theory is a theoretical framework in which society is viewed as composed of groups that are competing for scarce resources. Finally the third, functional analysis is a theoretical framework in which society is viewed as composed of various parts, each with a function that, when fulfilled, contributes to society’s equilibrium. 

     I think a song that describes functional analysis well is “Rain Is a Good Thing” by Luke Bryan. In this song it describes how rain sets off a chain of events. The exposition talks about how he saw his dad kick the dust and look up at the sky, because a farmer depends completely on the weather. Later it says “Rain makes corn, corn makes whiskey, and whiskey makes my baby…” this is a perfect example of how one thing, rain, affects a farmer’s society. The song’s lyrics continue to describe the effects of rain on their night, “buddies pile up in the truck, we hunt our honeys down, take ‘em into town, and start warshin all our worries down the drain.” This is just one example of how one part of society satisfies and continues to maintain society’s equilibrium. There are many aspects and parts of society that affect equilibrium but I thought what better example than rain making corn grown, since we live in rural Kansas and can relate.

[Verse 1]
My daddy spent his life lookin' up at the sky
He'd cuss kick the dust, sayin' son it's way to dry
It clouds up in the city, the weather man complains
But where I come from, rain is a good thing

[Chorus]
Rain makes corn, corn makes whiskey
Whiskey makes my baby, feel a little frisky
Back roads are boggin' up, my buddies pile up in my truck
We hunt our hunnies down, we take 'em into town
Start washin' all our worries down the drain
Rain is a good thing

[Verse 2]
Ain't nothin' like a kiss out back in the barn
Ringin' out our soakin' clothes, ridin' out a thunderstorm
When tin roof gets to talkin'; that's the best love we made
Yea where I come from, rain is a good thing

[Repeat Chorus]

[Bridge]
Farmer Johnson does a little dance
Creeks on the rise, roll up your pants
Country girls, they wanna cuddle
Kids out playin' in a big mud puddle

[Repeat Chorus]

Rain is a good thing, rain is a good thing, rain is a good thing

Works Cited 

Henslin, James M. "Chapter 1: The Sociological Perspective."Sociology:A Down-to-Earth Approach: Pearson New International Edition Harlow: Pearson Education Limited, 2014. 93-123. Print
"Luke Bryan - Rain Is A Good Thing." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2015.