Growing up, music artists had the strongest influence on this generation. Rihanna delivered timeless club music, Britney Spears built up little girls’ confidence and Avril Lavigne left a permanent impact.
Recent dates have been established for her upcoming worldwide tour this year. With Lavigne announcing plans to perform all over Europe, VALLEY would like to attribute an article in her honor: how Avril Lavigne altered the personalities of an entire generation of teenage girls.
Who is Avril?
For those who have never heard of her before, Avril Lavigne is a Canadian singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the early 2000s. She has had an insanely notable career with popular songs like “What the Hell”, “Girlfriend” and “Sk8er Boi.”
Her image was eye-catching, to say the least. Her style was able to incorporate baggy pants, heavy eye makeup and hair color (frequently switching from green to pink dyed hair) into a lot of her iconic looks. Whether it was on the street or the red carpet, she never abandoned her edgy, punk rock look.
The media was mostly appalled by her, but for little girls, she became an icon that everyone was dying to be.
The Music We Know and Love
As a talented musician, Lavigne’s music gave this generation hit songs that embrace concepts of being independent. This meant being rebellious to authority and participating in traditionally male-dominated activities, like skateboarding and listening to rock music. In short, Avril Lavigne is noted as the public’s “pop rock princess.”
The rest of her discography includes sad and reminiscent themes. With her 2002 album “Let Go,” which was released shortly after her grandfather’s death, Lavigne used music as a way to convey her grief. Her songs like “I’m With You” open up about spiraling into a depressive episode, a taboo subject in the early 2000s.
Messaging is KEY!
In times when girls grow up believing they need to be “girly” to be taken seriously, it’s tough to express interest in other hobbies or even express emotion without being perceived in a negative light. Lavigne instilled the idea that you can feel and act however you want. Being a woman does alienate you from the rest of society.
Other notable singers like Britney Spears were also able to inspire confidence in this generation. However, like the rest of the female music artists in the 2000s, Spears still had a traditionally feminine image. Lavigne seemed to be the first woman in the media to act completely “boyish” and make it look iconic.
Her edgy appearance and laid-back attitude contributed greatly to the themes in her music. Whether she was opening up about deeply emotional issues or expressing her need for independence, Lavigne’s impact left parents in outrage and little girls begging to dye their hair pink.
The Comeback
Since the release of her self-titled 2017 album, many have not been attentive to Lavigne’s recent music. Her last album in 2022 gained slight popularity but almost nothing compared to her peak in the 2010s.
The announcement of her 2024 tour has made some buzz in the media, but not nearly enough as needed. With an impressive discography and a timeless image, Avril Lavigne’s comeback is something to cherish and keep an eye out for this year.
Tweet us @VALLEYmag on X with your favorite Avril Lavigne song!
