Music, so confusing

Music has played a major role in shaping popular culture. From Beethoven’s innovative sounds, to Kendrick Lamar’s complex lyrics, music has served as a powerful form of expression for centuries. Beyond written or verbal texts, philosopher Susanne Langer describes music as a form of non discursive symbolism. Meaning that music functions beyond the realm of words and serves as a symbol in which humans can form deeper connections.

Langer further explains that nondisclosure symbolism creates an “illusion of life”, a phrase she created to describe the process of humans relating their personal experiences to music. In connection to this, Sellnow states, “Music functions rhetorically by representing actual life experiences and emotions as an illusion of life based on the artist's perspective.”

Many artists have been successful in using music as a tool to share their experiences, and I for one, have made countless connections to songs. Take Charli xcx’s “Girl, so Confusing” for example. It tells the story of her industry friendship with an unnamed girl who made her feel insecure and jealous throughout their relationship.

When I first heard this song it reminded me of a similar experience I had with a friend, further proving the “illusion of life”. Charli writes, “I don’t know if you like me, sometimes I think you might hate me.” As someone who tends to overthink how people perceive me, I found this line super relatable. Many people struggle with this insecurity and it’s truly inspiring to hear Charli discuss her experience with self-doubt so openly.

After the song's release, there was speculation that the unnamed girl in the song was the “Royals” singer, Lorde. The two later broke the internet when they released their remixed version of the song where they confronted their feelings, and validated their friendship.

In Lorde’s verse of the song she sings “and when we put this to bed, the internet will go crazy, I’m glad I know how you feel ‘cause I’d ride for you Charli.” This verse further proves Lorde’s loyalty to Charli by implying that she is a “ride or die”.

I really appreciate the song’s transparency and how it uniquely addresses the complexities and insecurities that often occur in female friendships. It’s a song I think many young women can relate to and would agree that it is “so confusing to be a girl”.

Langer writes that music represents human experiences. What songs remind you of a personal experience? Does the story match the musical tone?