Gabriella Carter Music and Me Scholarship

Music is arguably the greatest creation of mankind. In many ways, it is the fabric of our lives and the definition of society. Music is the source of my most profound emotions. At each and every milestone, celebration, and challenge in my life, music has been an integral factor. In fact, it has been so much more than a mere factor. Music has always been, and remains, my very oxygen, the sustenance which carries me, the elixir of my soul. "Love It If We Made It" by The 1975 is a song that I hold very near to my heart. It suggests you can always find a way to keep going, even when you are drowning in the planet’s collective misery. The song reflects on and critiques current issues plaguing society, which younger generations have had no choice but to inherit from their predecessors. It offers a blend of 80s funk, electro-pop, ethereal choral parts, and heavy drum beats. Much of the lyrics are essentially shouted rather than sung. This rapid-fire shouting is a stylistic choice but also adds rawness and a grunge edge that helps the track present itself as a more modern spin on the American protest song. "Love It If We Made It" has lyrics that paint the times we are living in extremely well. One of the issues the song touches on is the rise of miscommunication and misinformation, a subject that is as prevalent as ever amidst the age of COVID-19. The idea that we now have access to more accurate information than ever but it has not resulted in people being more informed. We curate our own newsfeed to reflect sources we deem credible, but credible is different to everyone. The song also speaks on police brutality, the fetishization of black culture, and private prisons. The comments on melanin refer to the emergence of the commodification of black culture and skin in beauty and fashion trends. It highlights the fact that we live in a society that is so quick to consume black culture, yet just as quick to vilify and kill its originators. "Love It If We Made It", from the first listen is easy to fall in love with. Its controversial and bleak lyrics offer social commentary that is packaged with a hopeful title and a seemingly happy and upbeat backtrack. This song is special to me because it provides excellent original thought-provoking, and engaging lyrics that tell an honest narrative; one that perfectly encapsulates my anger for today and hope for a better tomorrow.