I used to be an organist and the music we played was simple, yet beautiful. However, the lyrics were always desperate and codependent on an external source. In the lyrics, that external source was their version of a god that was selfish and only helped if it was for its benefit.
Worship services would be filled with crying and solemnity. I hated it.
The composers knew the affect of their music. I also started realizing the affects of my playing. I’ve already mentioned in a past thread that if I played something exaggeratedly slow that I would hear more crying. There were choir members that would ask me to play it at the regular speed, but I wouldn’t listen as I am the organist and they don’t play. Writing this out, I realized I was mimicking their god that won’t listen and does whatever it wants.
Now that I think about it, I was actually addicted to everyone’s sadness and wanted to bring up more and more of it. I also mentioned in another thread that in high school I looped this very depressing song that kept my mental emotional state sad for months. I saw beauty and meaning in that sadness. I also realized now that it may have affected my heart chakra.
In the final years leading up to my departure from all religion, I would only sing the parts that were uplifting and just lipsync the parts that glorified being a victim.
I also had a friend who was in a heavy metal band before he got into spirituality. He shared that there were so many “freak accidents” that would happen when they went on tour. He also started to notice how their fans acted and all of that made him decide to stop singing heavy metal.
So yeah, in my experience the lyrics gain more “power” based on the emotions and meaning everyone puts into it. The music helps anchor the lyrics.
Saying all this, I don’t recommend completely getting rid of the songs you like even if they don’t have a “positive” message.
All emotions, even sadness and anger, are to be felt. The power is in being aware of this and being proactive with your emotions, time, and energy.
I used to deny my sadness by forcing myself to listen to “happy songs”. Negative emotions will still be there so it is best to experience them when they’re manageable and not at the last minute that makes one lose control.
If you’re sad, it’s alright to listen to sad music to connect and allow the energy to be expressed.