Do you ever hear a song that you expect little from and then go, wait… that’s actually really good? This has been my experience. One has recently made me feel this way and left me asking why place importance on things. More specifically the idea or prettiness of them without actually recognizing the real importance which is the meaning of something.
This is the scenario of RaeLynn’s 2016 song ‘Diamonds,’ off her album WildHorse. The song, according to RaeLynn, was written after her engagement to her now husband, Josh. The song is a beautiful and soft ballad that talks of love and diamonds and ties them together as being just “things” until they are experienced or mean something.
The lyrics go on to say “diamonds just a diamond ‘til you put it on the right left hand.” It’s a simple line with great impact. She goes on to say that it’s fun to show off a diamond but it has no meaning if there’s no “heart” behind it. The song has a playful moment or two and yet is meaningful. Additionally I love that it has significant purpose for her, the creator.
WHY DO WE PUT IMPORTANCE ON THINGS OVER RELATIONSHIPS? #RAELYNN #COUNTRYMUSIC #MUSIC #DISCUSSION #OPINIONS #THOUGHTS #CULTURE #SOCIETY #CULTURETHOUGHTS Click To Tweet
For me, while not personal in the way it is to its artist, it also has this cautionary message. It’s a gentle reminder of the trimmings we revel in and the relationships we call love. There are different kinds of love because of course we have different kinds of relationships. However for this scenario, the love is a romantic relationship. The story uses the opportunity to tell its listener that love doesn’t mean anything unless you truly experience it. In my opinion, that experience goes beyond just a feeling. In this culture of instant gratification and shiny things, this is messaging we need more of.
DISCUSSION | IS ENTERTAINMENT TRENDING TOWARDS A NEW WAY TO ROMANCE?
As I’ve become older, I’ve developed more of a things-don’t-matter personality. This in no way means I don’t still buy all kinds of things (too easily really), but rather that I try to focus more on the “what” of the thing. I still love to decorate a space or browse the latest fashion, but I’m trying to practice more practical purchasing which I think is a wise and helpful thing.
Any big social media engagement I see is all about the trappings of the day. The ring is always at the center of that just as the dress is at the center of the wedding day. Instagram encourages this kind of universe of materialism or grand gestures for everyone to see. Posted up on social media is more than one rose petal walkway where a ring waits. It always seems odd to me to look for validation from thousands of people you don’t even know.
Marriage is such an important thing that goes far beyond one day or the question will you marry me? Its meant to be asking this, yes, but also, it should be asking, on both sides, about real commitment. The pretty ring should represent building, growing and loving life together.
An account I have looked at recently posted something I ran across after someone shared it to their stories. It was a post questioning the American Dream. Not the way we once were, but the way society now says we should be. One of the points it raises and looks at is the time we spend apart from our spouse and the sad reality that we spend more time with co-workers than each other. All I see in this society is putting so much emphasis on things and even a “contactless” society.
Not everything here fits perfectly together. But all of it was sparked by this one song. It’s a bunch of words strung together to create something beautiful and hopefully, with meaning for its artist. So much of what society pushes is wrong. How we choose to push back against that may determine how full our life will or can be.
Have you heard this song? What did you think of it? Do you think weddings and proposals are more commercialized than they were? Do you think marriage still has the same importance it once did? Have you ever asked “why place importance on things” or feel like relationships suffer from this? What are your thoughts on any of these topics. Comment away – and let’s chat!
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Great post! I don’t think I’ve ever listened to this song, but the lyrics you quoted sound great. I agree that too much importance is placed on things.
I hadn’t until recently either, Melanie! I actually recently bought a BUNCH of Raelynn’s music. Some of her songs lean heavily into the country scene, but some go in this beautifully deeper direction you don’t expect based on the title. It’s been fun to discover a new artist. :) Thanks for being here.