Feb 15, 2008

Moral Dilemma—Amy Winehouse

She just won 3 grammies. She just checked out of Rehab. She's got an amazing voice and writes some of the most amazing songs that have been written in the last decade or so (in my own opinion), and she frequently uses the F-word. So, what do I do? The young womens' president in my head says don't patronize someone who's clearly not got her life together, clearly not a good role model for today's youth who will be trying to emulate her; the music appreciator in my head says dang it, the music's good.
What do you all say?

At any rate, here's a not-strung out, no-swearwords song, sung by her, written by her. Enjoy this one. Who needs to decide right now? She's cleaned up recently, her abusive husband is in jail, things are looking up... maybe she'll be OK from here on out. I like to be an optimist about these things.

6 comments:

Maren said...

That is a dilemma I occasionally face and have yet to come to a solution that feels right to me.

Joy said...

Personally, this isn't a dilemma for me. I like her music, I listen to it. The other stuff doesn't matter to me.

Anonymous said...

No problems for me. I've taught a couple of books with the f-word in them, and I just tell my students that art imitates life, which is full of possibly objectionable stuff. As long as her music is artistically true, I don't have a problem with it. However, I don't have an opinion on Amy Winehouse because I've never listened to her (until just a minute ago). I'll have to start.

Unknown said...

Sherpa....

Generally I feel that way about artists. AFter all, Ray charles was also a drug addict; Elton John is gay, and James Taylor was an unfaithful father and husband. I worry more about Amy because she actually writes about her lifestyle... the "rehab" song in particular. About not going to rehab even though all her family and loved ones are watching her crash and burn. I see all the girls I worked with at the E.D. facility in her.

Plus, i've grown more aware of the influence of artists on youth after having worked there. I can't tell you how many girls wanted to be Britney SPears or Paris Hilton. It amazed me, seriously. I can see so many bulimic girls justifying their lack of desire to recover with the song "rehab."

Joy said...

No Surf- I understand the influence of pop culture on the youth and girls, but you know, I still feel the way I do about her. It just doesn't matter. If girls want to use the song rehab to justify their reasons for not getting well, they are so far gone they'll use something else as an excuse.

Unknown said...

Yeah--- yeah.

See, that's why it is a moral dilemma for me, I really, really like her. I love jazz and soul and R&B, and she's so great! On the other hand, i really can't agree that she wouldn't have a significant (negative) influence on some. Especially those who are on the brink. It actually doesn't take much convincing to keep the people who need it from taking the scary step of rehab. Facing your demons and all that. Plus, as I get more and more aware of my own kids and their needs... I suddenly realize that I don't want to be watching/listening to certain stuff, and then having to explain why I do when the artists are obviously breaking the rules and expectations I set out for my kids. KWIM? I don't think people who like amy are bad or anything. Not at all, just.. what do I do? What's right for me and my situation? Yeah.