So hi guys! Today, I have a song analysis to share with and I will base it on the 3 major perspective of sociology which are Structural Functionalism, Conflict theory and Interactionist.

 The song that I have chosen is “Mockingbird by Eminem” but first I give a brief background of Eminem and the song.

 

                                   (Photo from TheRealJmic)

                        (photo from flavorpill media)

  

According to Biography, Eminem is one of the most famous American rapper, record producer and an actor. He was born on October 17, 1972, in Missouri. He was not just a typical rapper like what you hear in the radio or YouTube nowadays. His songs were mostly autobiography. Through his music, he expresses his chaotic life from his childhood up to the role of him as a father and husband. These became controversial that’s why he became famous for it. People look up to him because many can relate and see him as a model for trying to change for the better.

(photo from tumblr)                                (photo from dailymail)

Actually, the song “Mockingbird” is one of my favorites. The story behind the song, is about Eminem, who strives hard to become a good father and a husband to his family. But when he started earning for a living by the help of Dr. Dre (a producer), things have become hazy between his relationship towards his family. He broke up with his wife and he worries for the well-being of his daughters especially Hailie (biological daughter). He was concerned about what she sees on TV, specifically his dad behaving inappropriately.

What is Structural Functionalism? 

Structural functionalism perspective sees society as a complex system. According to Ashley Crossman (Sociology expert), It emphasizes the consensus and order that exist in society, focusing on social stability and shared public values. In the song Mockingbird, Eminem was struggling of drug addiction and behavior issues. That’s why it led him to join the rehabilitation center.

                                                           (photo from tumblr)                                   (photo from dailymail)

Actually, the song “Mockingbird” is one of my favorites. The story behind the song, is about Eminem, who strives hard to become a good father and a husband to his family. But when he started earning for a living by the help of Dr. Dre (a producer), things have become hazy between his relationship towards his family. He broke up with his wife and he worries for the well-being of his daughters especially Hailie (biological daughter). He was concerned about what she sees on TV, specifically his dad behaving inappropriately.

What is Structural Functionalism? 

Structural functionalism perspective sees society as a complex system. According to Ashley Crossman (Sociology expert), It emphasizes the consensus and order that exist in society, focusing on social stability and shared public values. In the song Mockingbird, Eminem was struggling of drug addiction and behavior issues. That’s why it led him to join the rehabilitation center.

                             (photo from Telegraph)

In the song Mockingbird, Eminem also describes his status as a poor and unemployed citizen because at that time, he was having a hard time finding a job but no one accepted him because he was underestimated, relating to his information being a high school dropout, thief and an addict, despite of him, willing to do anything just to get the job. This kind of situation involves social conflict because it was about the boss (powerful) suppressing Eminem (the weak). You can really see the social inequality. Only the people that have the advantages can get the opportunities and benefits. This kind of situation evidently shows that the society is unstable.

What is Interactionist theory?

 According to Yolanda Williams, Interactionism in sociology is a theoretical perspective in which society is thought to be a product of the everyday social interactions among millions of people. Instead of looking at social systems at a larger-scale, such as the entire population of a country, interactionism focuses on smaller-scale social interactions, such as the interactions between individuals or small social groups. In its point of view, actions have symbolic meanings and meanings can vary.

                     (photo from Genius)                                                   (photo from mstrarz)

 In the song Mockingbird by Eminem, Hailie’s situations were seeing her mother and father fight that led to divorce, her parents struggling to save money for her education, to pay the bills and even to buy their daily needs. In this Hailie identifies her family as broken (broken family). Most people have similar experiences. In the other situation in the song, When Eminem’s wife started saving money in a jar, someone broke inside their house and stole their piggy bank. They can say that they have been “robbed”. So those examples are the products on how people make sense of their world.

That’s all for today! Thank you guys for reading my blog!