Cussing, Swearing, Curses
The Art Of Profanity In Music
The other day, Little Bean, frustrated, told me a story.
At her outdoor summer camp, they often take nature walks out to various points on the grounds of the camp. Not all of the kids are - how shall I put this - as enthused as she is of the prospect of hiking.
So, counselors will sometimes bring an iPhone connected to a small speaker and the kids will make music suggestions, just as a way of passing the time for some of them.
I think you know where this is going.
She request Ratatata by Baby Metal. She loves Baby Metal, in particular, Momo Metal. I’ll leave you to look that up. Alas, the counselors were unable to play that song because there is a swear word in it. They settled on some sort of pink unicorn something or other song by some kid band, I don’t know.
Anyway, I have one observation about this, and then a question for the community.
First, the observation. I was actually really happy to learn that the counselors took the time to actually look and read up on requests. That says a lot and makes me feel better that they are engaged and looking out for the kids. I’m glad they did that.
Now the question - Little Bean is not a pop music kind of kid. She listens to music that is raw and yes, has an occasional swear word in it. (Before you all run me out of town, like the counselors, we work hard to monitor what media she consumes. There’s a difference between Death Metal and the use of the H.E. double hockey sticks word, for example. You get what I’m saying.)
There’s this viral video of Disturbed’s David Draiman coming down off stage at a concert to talk to a little girl in the front row where he tells her how he loves that his shows have become family events and likes to see kids in the audience. I’ve personally experienced that at the hard rock or heavy shows I’ve taken Little Bean to. At shows by Plush and The Warning, fans overwhelmingly accept and appreciate kids in the audience. In some cases, the fans have even made sure she and other kids were up front.
Draiman tells the little girl that there are far worse things in the world than a little profanity and that she’s surrounded by people who love her. Then he says, “Let me tell you a secret, we may be dark, but sometimes the darkness can show you the light.”
Yeah, I know, corny. But if you all know me, you know I’m ok with corny and cheesy and sentimental.
Anyway, I’m not a curser, just never have been. Profanity just hasn’t been part of my vocabulary. I had a college professor who once told me that swear words only work if you don’t use them. What he meant was that if you’re known for not swearing, when you do swear, people listen.
My wife on the other hand, swears like a sailor. (Is it ok to say that, I don’t know anymore.) Our swear jar at home is filled with my wife’s change.
All that said, the kid’s favorite band is AC/DC. She’s been singing “Whole Lot of Rosie” since she could speak. There’s not a single curse word in that song… but, the content, well, she’ll figure that out some day.
So, where am I going with this? Not sure. How much swearing is too much? Curse words “in service” of the song or the poem, etc. is a phrase often thrown around. Do you believe that? Calling someone a swear word is different than using it an an expression of joy. (Go to Hell, is waaaay different then Hell Yeah for example.) Curse words can be used to express success or winning for example.
Some say that swearing is just part of life and kids are going to hear it and sooner or later do it themselves, so our job is to provide context as opposed to trying to eliminate it. (That might sort of be what David Draiman was saying.)
For our part, I’m not that worried; it’s heavy metal man, a few words can’t hurt her and so long as the community keeps her safe, then it’s only rock and roll, baby. I say, horns in the air, and Ratatata!
One of my college writing workshop textbooks said basically the same thing as your professor: one curse word in the entire book makes more of an impact than using it on every page. From a purely linguistic standpoint, swear words have actual definitions, and using them as foul language twists them so the true meaning is lost. So that, coupled with the fact I was raised in a non-swearing home, means I don't use it and don't like it when others do, but I try not to pass judgement. Interestingly, employees who curse are called out on it at Canobie Lake Park, and I'm told that repeated offenses can be grounds for dismissal.
What’s really important is that kids know how to swear *correctly*