Deena Weinstien's Heavy Metal Causes Teen Suicide

The inference that heavy metal causes teen suicide is as implausible as are the conservatives interpretations of heavy metal, explains sociology professor and author of Heavy Metal Under Attack: Suicide and Aggression, Deena Weinstien. As Weinstien explains throughout her article, heavy metal music has been pursued by many groups and individuals to be a leading cause of teen suicide. Groups such as PMRC (Parents Music Resource Center) would work against many popular heavy metal artists and record companies in lawsuits regarding the musics role and active involvement in teen suicide. According to PMRC, the lyrical content of certain metal songs touched-base with themes of santanism and suicide, and imposed them upon the listeners. However, contrary to the groups belief, throughout future lawsuits and court decisions, the belief that artists are intentionally manipulating listeners throughout lyrical content was found to be more often a misinterpretation of the songs meaning.

One of the first examples of an attack against an artist for lyrical content was the lawsuit brought against artist, Ozzy Ozbourne, for his lyrical content in the song, Suicide Solution. The attack was led by Susan Baker and PMRC, and was argued that the song encouraged suicide as a
solution (Weinstein 472) to problems that listeners might have in their every day lives. However, further research found that Ozbournes true meaning of the lyrics dealt with alcoholism, and his own personal struggle with alcohol consumption. Weinstein goes on to state that Susan Baker and the followers of the PMRC failed to grasp the songs true meaning, and the simple pun that was intended along with it.

This type of misinterpretation happened with not only the issue of suicide, but also with the idea of satanic worship within the music of heavy metal bands.
The Roman Catholic archbishop of New York quoted Suicide Solution by Ozzy Ozbourne to be recorded with the theme of suicide. (Weinstein 473) When later interviewed, the archbishop stated that the information regarding Suicide Solution had come from a 1987 book, written by Tipper Gore, founder of the PMRC and one of the leading spokespersons. (Weinstein 473)The PMRC became responsible for many hearings with artists who had a rumored song that suggested satanic worshiping or suicide. Hearings were held with artists such as Judas Priest, AC/DC, and Twisted
Sister.

A court trial was brought against artists, Judas Priest, by the parents of two children who had killed themselves. They pursued the band, arguing that there were subliminal messages placed inside the recording of Beyond the Realms of Death. The argument was centered in on the idea that subliminal messages can cause behavioral changes within a youthful audience, causing the children to commit suicide. However, after further research, many psychologists found there to be no connection between subliminal messaging, and any critical behavioral change. One psychology professor from York University stated, Theres good evidence [they] dont work. (Weinstein 476)The misconception that heavy metal influences suicide not only spread due to these hearings, but it made a negative implement towards the heavy metal scene, and attached this misconception to all heavy metal artists in general. Weinstein made a clear position that contrary to popular belief of the time, the increase in teenage suicide rates was not due to the fact that there was an uproar in the heavy metal music scene, but to the fact that there was an increase in teenage suicide itself, and that heavy metal music became the scapegoat to many individuals grief with the increased rates.

Works Cited:Weinstein, Deena. Heavy Metal Under Attack: Suicide and Aggression. Composition, English 101, A Rhetoric and Reader for Minnesota State University, Mankato. Ed. Randall McClure. Boston: Pearson, 2005. 471-481.