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. ;]

Sad as it is, I think that is part of it. Haha.

Thanks for the input so far. It's important for me to see/hear others' perspective & opinion. It can (hopefully) help to back up my arguement/statement. I believe music has been a medium for political expression for DECADES. Like during that telethon after that NAFTA thing, when Kanyae said "George Bush doesn't like black people" on air. I just wonder how many people got interested in the situation based on his making that statement. Or when whats-her-face from the Dixie Chicks made her comments about Bush. These things affect our society. They create awareness because they have a voice thats being paid (not always) to be heard. Bands, song writers, they create work that sounds and speaks for a whole generation of voices. Music brings people together in a huge way, especially in terms of concerts. K, m done 4 now...

I'd have to think and write for quite a long time to say my mind on this topic, so I won't do it right now.

This sentence.
Is ****ing brilliant. If it isn't a quote from elsewhere then you HAVE to include it in your essay, as it pretty much blows away the initial argument that musicians don't have any real political/social impact within a few seconds.

I like this chick, she smart and got a Ninja Turtle avatar! Looks to me like you're doin' alright without us!

I wish i had a paper to do like this at school....

right well politics in music....i'd suggest looking at the lyrics of rage against the machine.

they wrote about all kinds of stuff including the government & the general nanny state!

but wake up, bullet in your head, guerilla radio, sleep now in the fire & killing in the name of.......they would be dead certs to find some wicked quotes and stuff,

anyway good luck.

I'm not sure if anyone else has made similar remarks, but that quote came straight from my brain as I was typing it in here. So I'm truly flattered and humbly accept that as a huge compliment (and also thanks 2 tha doc, Turtle Power!!)(sry, couldn't help myself).The only flaw with this essay, is I only have 2 months to work on it, which seems totally unrealisitic considering the subject matter. Of couse I'll cover RATM, and SOAD, but also more classical examples of politically based music (Dylan ex.). The basis for my thesis is "Do music and politics influence each other in the same capacity?" (proving that no they do not). I'll keep y'all "posted" on the progress.

You might want to read this.

It`s about how Tony Blair used Britpop to go for the youth vote & basically shit on it as soon as he got into power...

http://www.villagevoice.com/music/05...,65750,22.html

i think certain bands use politics to boost failing careers - it makes sense to start singing about something people want to hear in order to boost record sales. with this in mind i have the cynical view that bands often are not actually sincere about what they sing about.

To add a bit of personal opinion now, I think that music and politics don't influence each other in the same capacity. Music does have an effect on politics, but the reverse effect is much greater. Politics regularly affects every aspect of music, from giving lyrical inspiration for songwriters to affecting whether schoolchildren (who may become musicians) have access to free music lessons. Laws relating to live performance, laws governing distribution of recorded music, strength of economies and the amount of expendable income each person has... money which can be directed into playing or listening to music...all of these issues - even the importing of instruments or of appropriate materials for making the instrument - are dependent on politics.

Music does affect politics, as it can provide rallying calls, create awareness of political issues and can be a great propoganda tool (e.g. RATM don't tend to give the pro-authority side of the argument). I don't think that this effect is anywhere near as great, though.

Cover Immortal Technique too. He actually does political music well, unlike SOAD and RATM.