Who doesn’t love a good song of revenge or hard words directed at someone after a breakup? Plenty of people love to listen to such music through difficult times; I won’t disclaim the feeling it gives. It can be fun. However, it isn’t healthy.

Artists that write spiteful music about their exes should not be supported in doing so. For example, Taylor Swift has done so with nearly every man she has dated. Sure, her music is fun and catchy but it is often written in spite of someone else.

One problem with this is that many listeners only hear her side of the story, even if it is false, due to her infamous name in pop culture. But when does anyone get to hear the other side of the story? When do we find out how her ex experienced the relationship? It is a one-sided story, which is unhealthy. The one on the other side of the music, the one having the song written about themselves, the one having metaphoric bullets shot at them doesn’t have a say. Who’s to say they don’t matter? What if they have an important truth about the relationship that isn’t shared?

I speak from a personal perspective because I understand what it is like to have an ex write music about me, perform it in front of people and make money from it. People support it, but don’t give the time of day to hear my side of things. It hurts. 

The music may be fun to listen to in the moment, but on the other end of the spectrum, it is hurting someone. Artists who benefit off the hurt of others should not be supported.

A problem with this is that it devalues a person as their voice is not heard. It says that the musician’s voice matters, but not the person whom the song was written about. In this instance, the musician silences the victim’s voice, making only known their voice. In this scenario, the musician only gives volume and value to their own perspective, putting the victim’s value as a person merely invisible as a ghost.

This brings me to my next problem with supporting such artists; their music causes division. Whether it be in friend groups, workplaces, church congregations or anywhere else, music written with ill-intent and disrespect toward others divides people. Supporting this music contributes to the dismantling of a community of people.

Since my ex began writing spiteful music about me, people have started treating me differently. Some don’t bother to speak to me. Some don’t even bother to look in my direction. People shun me but have yet to hear my side of the story. I wonder how many people this has happened to after songs go viral.

A third problem with hurtful music is that it can falsely damage someone’s reputation by deceptive lyrics written by the artist. Plenty of times celebrities have had their identities ruined due to rude words spoken in a song, with thousands of people believing them. Whether these words may be true or not, some people deserve second chances. Who’s to say, if the words are true, that the person can’t change? Who’s to write them off to the world and ruin their reputation? Is that a musician’s place in this world?

The common excuse is that these artists are writing about their “experiences,” but what these artists seem oblivious to is the fact that they are ignorantly and cleverly hurting people, dividing people and damaging peoples’ reputations.

If we want to enhance the music industry, we have to change it for the better. Real musicians should become creative enough to not hurt others for profit. Real musicians should use their creativity not to divide people but to unify people. Real musicians should use their words to uplift others instead of tearing them down. Music should highlight the genuine side of people and the beauty in them instead of devaluing them by jabbing them with spiteful words.

If we long to see unity in our society, we need to stop contributing to the division that cleverly rests within it. If we want to live in harmony with one another, we must not give in to the harm that harsh music provides.