What’s this silly argument about letting down our standards so that at least they will listen to this instead of Goyish music. How’s about the other way around? These horrible songs actually introduce our youngsters to Goyish music.
Think of music, or more to the point, rhythm as wine, which is Mesamach Elokim Va’anoshim. The right amount elevates the soul but too much evokes a very base behaviour. There is no need to expound on this. This is something anybody can try out at home, if you’re honest with yourself. Anybody can see how loose and wild the Bochurim become when this stuff is turned on.
How many times will people bring up this issue of Yiddish music being influenced by the surroundings? Our clothing is also influenced by our surroundings. Does that make it Mutar to follow everything that comes out? Yes, styles seep in, but there is a filter system. Originally, having buttons was considered a very modern thing to have. Understandably, some people put it on regardless, while others don it for business reasons. Later, most people have it besides the few Prushim. In the end, we all have it. But, certain things just don’t get in.
I happen to be a big fan of classical music. Many Gedolim listened to classical music. That’s not what is meant by Goyishe music. We all sing Happy Birthday although noone has to expose it as a Goyishe song. Using the clothing analogy, I’m sure you get the point. When we say Goyishe clothing, we don’t mean something that a non-Jew put on; we mean something that a Yid should not be wearing due to its character.
It might sound wild, but I’m very sure that the state of our music has played a big role in bringing up a generation of spiritless youth.