I blame Bernie Sanders. Not just for making Democratic presidential candidates think they can't compete without espousing socialism, but for his liberal use of the imperative mood.
We used to receive imperatives as insults. "Listen" was frequently followed by "punk," and "Look" by "jackass." But now, before making a declarative statement, every politician or media pundit must tell the interlocutor (and us) to look or listen. Shove it.
True, a speaker sometimes requires a brief introductory expression to clear the throat or to gather thoughts. Having been instructed by our fourth-grade teachers not to say "Um" or "Uh," we have tried other options.
"Well" was overused and could seem weak. "Let me say this," though nicely deferential, was associated with Richard Nixon and had to be abandoned. A college friend of mine always prefaced his observations with "Jawohl, mein gnädiger Herr, ich müss diese Angelegenheit angehen," irritating me all the more because he was not German.
Better choices must prevail.
Although the Japanese habit of beginning with "Yes" has a friendly ring, it has the disadvantage of tending to mean "No." But a positive grunt would be welcome. I suggest "Hmm" or "Uh-huh," which come across as informal and encouraging, while less vague/dumb than "Uh." Also: It would be fine if everyone stopped saying, "Great question," especially when the question is not great.
I am not arguing for a complete ban on the imperative. Some examples from classic pop music serve to illustrate.
The Wailers often used commands for effective exhortation, as in "Get Up, Stand Up (For Your Rights)," "Lively Up Yourself" and "Wake Up and Live." Marley and Company should not get blanket dispensation, however. For instance, a common misinterpretation of "No Woman No Cry" is that if one has no woman, one will not weep, whereas the lyric clearly indicates that there should be commas before and after "woman"; the narrator is urging his paramour to "dry your tears" or, in the peremptory words of the Kinks, to "Stop Your Sobbing." Courtesy dictates that she can cry if she wants to. Similarly, "Stir It Up" fails to consider whether Little Darlin' is in the mood for Bob to "push the wood."
The Beatles demonstrated admirable perspective in their imperatives. Singing "Love Me Do" and "Please Please Me" fell within proper boundaries, because in both cases they asked permission. And if they told someone to "Think for Yourself," we can't fault them. Even "Run for Your Life," where John overtly threatens to see his woman dead rather than catch her straying, could be considered practical and welcome advice.
Acceptable Uses of the Imperative in Music
"Think" by Aretha Franklin
"Stand!" by Sly & the Family Stone
"People Get Ready" by Curtis Mayfield
"Fight the Power" by the Isley Brothers
"Gimme Shelter" by the Rolling Stones
Unacceptable Uses
"Gimme Some Lovin' " by the Spencer Davis Group
"Come On and Love Me" by Kiss
"Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)" by Motley Crue
"Smell the Glove" by Spinal Tap
Borderline
"Don't Lie to Me" by Big Star
You may come up with your own examples, but I won't make that an order. Bernie Sanders might, though.