Some song lyrics ask questions or generate mysteries, but do not provide the answers or solutions. This category is filled with unanswered questions and mysteries needing to be solved.
One of the great mysteries and unanswered questions is why some teenagers and young adults are troubled, alienated, anguished, angry, bitter, hateful, and resentful? The answers may vary and some may be rather complex. However, others may be rather straight forward and simple.
For example, John Lennon was a very talented and gifted musician. During their hey-day, John Lennon and the Beatles wrote and recorded some of the greatest rock and roll songs ever, an overwhelming majority of which had themes of good will. However, there were sides of John Lennon that were "wild and rebellious." Occasionally, his pain, anger, bitterness, and rage would seep out in his music and personal life, particularly while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Thus, creating the legendary image of the "angry young rocker."
There has to be a reason why this inner anger and bitterness existed. In John Lennon’s case, there is a high probability that it had something to do with his father abandoning him as infant, and his mother abandoning him twice. The first time his mother abandoned him was because she could not take care of him as a child. The second time was because she died in a car accident when he was a teenager after they had been reacquainted briefly. Is it any wonder why he could be so bitter and resentful at times in life? Is it any wonder why so many teenagers and young adults who have faced similar experiences were able to relate or identify with him through his music?
However, it needs to be made clear that having unfortunate incidents, events, and injustices occur in one’s life is never a license or green light for irresponsible behavior or to abscond on one’s responsibilities to society. It is imperative that those less fortunate than others to understand the necessity that in order to build a better life or world it is essential to take these injustices and turn them into some type of positive action. Perhaps, one of those positive actions that they can take is to learn how to forgive and forget. Perhaps another one is to try and prevent somebody else from experiencing what they had to go through.
In addition, as a compassionate society, we must do our share, too. We must do a better job of addressing the causes of some of their pain, anger, hate, bitterness, and alienation. But first we must solve the mystery of what the driving forces are.
Could some of the sources be neglected, abused, father-less, or unappreciated children? Could some of them be spoiled rotten, or suffocating, overly disciplined, nagged and berated children? Could some of the sources be low self-esteem from measuring against perfect unrealistic idols and from negative media?
Could some of the sources be built up resentment from being unpopular or bullied because the society rewards superficial qualities like aesthetic appearances, wealth, and athletic abilities? Could some of the sources be alienation over perceived and real hypocrisies because people do not try hard to live up to ideals (including parents)? Could some of the sources be anxiety and fear created by a world that projects a future that is exclusive, rather than inclusive?
Questions, questions, questions...so many questions...