Chazal say about Elisha ben Avuyah who went OTD that זמר יווני לא פסק מפומיה. He would constantly sing Greek songs. On the other hand, Yaakov told his sons ויאמר אליהם ישראל אביהם אם כן אפוא זאת עשו קחו מזמרת הארץ בכליכם והורידו לאיש - bring the Egyptian ruler some of the songs of Eretz Yisrael [as the Chasidic interpretation goes] and that will soften him up.
Music is impactful.
Hashem knows how much זמר יווני I have in my brain from the 70's and 80's.. ה' ישמרנו!! [Sadly, growing up MO, קול אשה was a בחינה of הלכתא למשיחא. So even though people THINK that Whitney Houston is dead - not in my brain she isn't... Nor is John Lennon - even though he was killed right across the street from me and I distinctly remember the night. December 8th was his yahrtzeit].
The lyrics of a popular song on the frum market:
You might compose the sweetest song
Scale the highest mountain - don't get me wrong
These are wonderful things – even significant things
You can strive for wealth, fame & success
And trust I'll think of you no less
These are wonderful things - even significant things
But nothing in your life will ever be more meaningful
Than giving of yourself to help another
Nothing in your life will ever bring more joy to you
Than finding A way to Share - A little piece of your heart
Nothing in your life will ever please the heavens more
Than showing compassion and love
Nothing in your life will ever be more beautiful
Nothing in your life, no nothing in your life
Sail the seven seas, drink the finest wine
Paint a masterpiece, why I think that's fine
These are wonderful things - even significant things
You can study life's deepest mysteries
Turn simple words into poetry
These are wonderful things - even significant things
But nothing in your life will ever be more meaningful
Than giving of yourself to help another
No, nothing in your life will ever bring more joy to you
Than finding A way to Share - A little piece of your heart
No, nothing in your life will ever please the heavens more
Than showing compassion and love
Nothing in your life will ever be more beautiful
Nothing in your life, no nothing in your life
Nothing in your life will bring more joy to you
And the good you do could last forever
Nothing in your life can bring you more fulfillment
Than to give your love, give your heart, give of yourself
Nothing in your life will ever be more meaningful
Than giving of yourself to help another
Nothing in your life will ever bring more joy to you
Than finding A way to Share - A little piece of your heart
A little piece of your heart
Nothing in your life will ever please the heavens more
Than showing compassion and love
Nothing in your life will ever be more beautiful
Nothing in your life, no nothing in your life
Nothing in your life, no nothing in your life
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Scaling the highest mountain, striving for wealth, fame & success, sailing the seven seas and drinking the finest wine [!!!] are wonderful and even significant things??? For Jews? Torah observant Jews???
So thumbs up to the "showing compassion and love" and a thumbs down to the הבל הבלים in the song.
