Music: The Power of Plot

Music: The Power of Plot

People relate to music. We sing it. We cry to it. We laugh to it. The reason: we can see ourselves in music. We can let go of our feelings and just relate to the words or the instruments. One way the songwriter connects the listener to the music is through plot: the problem or reaction to a problem a character/singer is expressing. Whether it is a fight with a lover, a fight with a friend, finding a lover/friend, or any other, the plot is helps the listener relate to the song.

Currently in my CD player is a live recording of Jill Scott at a concert. Most of her songs have to do with life & love. Take for example the song “Gettin’ in the Way.” This song is about a woman trying to steal her man. She tells her to step back because the woman is “getting in the way of what I am feeling.” The sequence of events in this song is interesting. In the commentary she explains that this song is about principle. First she says to the woman to nicely step back. Then she says it in a harsher tone: “I know you don’t understand, but sister girl, you gotta get off my man.” Finally, she says “I am about to go off in your face: You better chill!” Clearly the conflict in the song is clear and can be easily related to the listeners’ lives.

Let’s look at another example, “To Zion” by Lauryn featuring Carlos Santanna. The song is about an unplanned pregnancy. She talks about how she “touched my belly overwhelmed.” She was told by many people to “be smart / look at your career they said / ‘Lauryn, baby, use your head.’” However, she chooses to use her “heart” and keep the baby. The name of her son is Zion, which gives light to the next verse “Now the joy of my world is in Zion.