About 50 percent of the songs on the radio are like, 'Live like

Host: The gentle hum of the café wrapped around Jack and Jeeny as they sat, the evening stretching out comfortably. Outside, the world had quieted, and the soft glow of the café lights created an intimate space for their conversation. Jack, his coffee cup in hand, looked over at Jeeny, who seemed to be reflecting on something with a thoughtful expression.

Jeeny: “I came across something today, Jack. A quote from Sia: ‘About 50 percent of the songs on the radio are like, ‘Live like tomorrow doesn’t exist. Like it’s my birthday. Like it’s the last day of my life’... Such a large percentage of pop music is really about party time.’”

Jack: He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “That’s an interesting perspective. Sia’s pointing out how much of pop music, especially the stuff that gets airplay, is focused on living for the moment, almost like a celebration of excess or freedom. It’s not just about music, but about a message — one that pushes living in the now, without concern for what comes next.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. What she’s getting at is how much of pop music is about embracing a carefree, often reckless attitude. The constant theme of living like there’s no tomorrow — partying, celebrating, and forgetting about the consequences. It’s escapism, but it’s also a reflection of a culture that values instant gratification over long-term thinking. Pop music is really tapping into that desire to live fully in the moment, without a care for the future.”

Host: The room seemed quieter as the weight of the conversation deepened. Jack reflected on how pop music often portrayed a version of life that was filled with exhilaration, but also a sense of temporary pleasure — a fleeting moment of joy that didn’t ask questions about the consequences.

Jack: “It’s fascinating because, on one hand, those songs are about freedom, the kind of freedom that comes with shedding responsibilities and embracing a carefree existence. But on the other hand, it’s a little dangerous, isn’t it? Constantly living for today can lead to missing out on the bigger picture, and eventually feeling unfulfilled.”

Jeeny: “Yes, it’s the tension between living in the present and the need to think about the future. What’s often missing from these pop songs is the sense of balance. We get lost in the idea of enjoying the moment without considering the long-term effects of those decisions. Sia’s point is that pop music captures that energy, but it doesn’t always acknowledge the complexities or consequences of living this way.”

Host: The café had grown still, the quiet hanging between them as they reflected on the nature of pop music’s message. It wasn’t just about the music itself, but about what it was saying about modern culture and the value placed on living in the moment.

Jack: “It’s also interesting because music, especially pop, is often a mirror of society, right? These songs tap into something very human — the desire to break free, to escape, to forget the stresses of life and just have fun. But at the same time, it speaks to a deeper, maybe even unconscious, desire to ignore the weight of responsibility. I think that’s part of what makes these songs so popular.”

Jeeny: “Yes, they offer an easy way to tune out and indulge in the present. But it’s also about living in a way that feels uncomplicated. We’re constantly overwhelmed by the demands of the future, and pop music gives people permission to disconnect from that for a while and just enjoy life. The message is powerful, but it’s also a bit of an escape from reality.”

Host: The energy in the café seemed to shift, the weight of the conversation lingering in the air. Jack and Jeeny had come to a deeper understanding of the relationship between pop music and the message it sends — one that celebrates living in the moment, but sometimes at the cost of considering what comes next. It wasn’t just about enjoying the now, but about finding a balance between freedom and responsibility, between living fully and thinking ahead.