Essay: Music and Politics Anyone have input??
 

Okay, so I'm taking a social sciences class, and am doing an essay on politics in music. Not sure if this thread belongs in here, but I figured it was logical. Anyhow, I'm not exactly sure of my position yet, but thot "There's SURELY someone @ mb who'll have something to say about this", so here I am. I'm still prepping for research as I said. Basically my arguement is based on the idea that music does bring/reinforce awareness of political issues, in turn affecting our culture/society. More importantly I was considering music related events, like how artists collaborate and make a cd for charity (ie;Hurricane Katrina -i think) how they get caught up in politics like Bono is a prime example, (for some reason I feel the need to mention Sir Elton John!?)Okay I'm done. I appreciate any sincere info, thanks
:beer:

A lot of times politics will become a band/artists main goal, and the music suffers because of it. Also people who get their political opinions from music,as many impressionable youth do are making a terrible mistake. Political songs are cool, but you need to check what your listening to. For instance any political insight in American Idiot is old, redundent, and simply a reflection of popular opinion from Green Day's key demographic buyers. It doesn't challenge people to think differently, as a good political song should. Also political insight in an album like The Glorious Burden is non existent, because people tend to confuse history, and patriotism with right wing politics.

i think alot of artists use politics to their advantage, rather than to show their beleifs.

I'll let you do your own research, but here, try these....
Anarchist Musicians
The Musician's Role In Politics
Making Marx In The Music
Music And Politics

On a more personal note: Music and politics have competed for, shared, and controlled people's understanding of the world around them. In the early times word of mouth was the number one source for information, and it primarily came in poetic legends and bardic songs. There have been times when music turned anti-governemnt, anti-war and so on. But there have been times when (subliminally) more empathical political views have been expressed through music. A musicians positive political views are often the basis for certain songs. Just as like, some politicians will reference the music of the time for research or quotations. Music provides valuable insight into public opinions, thus it is a valued asset for a politician to have an understanding of modern music. Just as it is important for musicians to have a similar understanding of modern politics. Both are always on the public's minds, so both have equal (even if differencial) effect on each other.

Some musicians take a derogatory stand on politics in their music just to rebel and be thought of as "cool" by their main buyers, which in this case are rebellious teens...so in the musicians case, this would be using it to their advantage...whether it's their personal belief or not I guess no one but them would ever truely know. But sometimes bands use politics [or anti-politics, if you will...] as a scheme just to sell to a certain group.

Whoa, how old are you again?

12, why? :]

Uhhh, that....uhhh....BUTTERED TOAST!

Whatever schools you got to kick a**! I tell you what, when I was 12, the most sophisticated thing I could do was hold a blunt with my pinky out. Words weren't anymore complicated than "Smoke wha?"

Well I can do that, too ;) haha I'm kidding...but thank you:]

Its only because she has been hanging around us. ;]