Many argue that politics has no place in music but is music not a piece of artistic expression?
If I recall correctly some of the greatest art in history is political, take for instance one of Picasso’s best works “
Guernica.”
Why stop at painting because art certainly expands the horizon of just paintings, lets take writing where a myriad of the greatest works were political such as Orwell’s “1984” and Ayn Rand’s “Anthem.”
Beyond these few instances many will even go the distance and say art alone is political.
To go and declare that politics has no room in music would be vitriolic to the history of art.
Musicians have a voice which far surpasses the ability of the normal everyday people like you and me. Being granted such a great gift comes with responsibilities, and I feel that those who are able to voice their opinion should do so and music is the perfect medium for it to be expressed. Nearly all of the world listens to music on a daily basis, and by having such a large audience political ideas and views can be voiced to anyone who listens. These political ideas and views can be very important to the listeners because so much of the world is ignorant to what is going on, if it weren’t for Rage Against the Machine I just may have no interest in politics what so ever, but thanks to them they opened my eyes to what was going on in the world. Being active in politics is a civic duty to all Americans but this civic duty is left untouched by just too many. Using music as a medium to convey any type of political message is not only doing justice to America by creating more of a democracy but doing justice to all of humanity. If it weren’t for events such as Live Aid would normal people really ever understand the inhumane living conditions of those in Ethiopia? If it weren’t for artists like Bono would people really grasp the AIDS epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa?
Whether you like it or not politics belongs in music, of course it is not essential but it is a very important tool. Artists such as Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Rage Against the Machine have undoubtedly made an imprint in the political community and have created curiosity in politics with those who once saw politics as some irrelevant thing.
Many argue that politics has no place in music but is music not a piece of artistic expression? If I recall correctly some of the greatest art in history is political, take for instance one of Picasso’s best works “
8 Comments:
I don't mind politics in songs, even when I don't necessarily agree with those politics. I just don't care for musicians who turn their concerts into political rallys. I go to concerts to be entertained, not to have the cause du jour of said artist shoved down my throat.
I particularly enjoy when a politically themed song is cleverly written-- regardless of whether or not I agree with the politics its espousing. Some of my favorites include:
Eve of Destruction by Barry McGuire
Five to One by The Doors
When the Music's Over by The Doors
For What It's Worth by Buffalo Springfield
Ohio by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Get Together by the Youngbloods
What About Me? by the Quicksilver Messenger Service
Signs by the 5 Man Electrical Band
Imagine by John Lennon
Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon
Someday (August 29, 1968) by Chicago Transit Authority
It Better End Soon by Chicago
A Song For Richard and His Friends by Chicago
Dialogue Pts.1&2 by Chicago
Harry Truman by Chicago
Land of Confusion by Genesis
Jeff, you make a great point and very timely because in the last two days I have spoken with two people who attended the CSNY concert in our area on Sunday night.
Here is my view: I agree with you, but I also agree with Darrin.
Politics definetly has a place in music - ANYTHING that the artist is passionate about belongs in music. I am thrilled to be from a generation that raised money for starving kids in Etheopia thanks to George Harrison bringing out attention to it, and then later Live AID.
BUT...I agree with Darrin because although it's fine to write about what you believe, concerts are not the place for political rallys. My friend spent $126 (each) for four tickets to CSNY. She said the music was great but that the Bush Bashing all night ruined it for her. She left feeling depressed (she's a Republican).
I think its okay to bring up topic like world hunger, Aids epidemic or relief for a natural disaster in a general concert because those are non-partisan issues. But to dis the President is just rude. We here enough of that all day and all night everywhere we turn - I would have been bummed to have to listen to it on a night I paid to hear MUSIC.
Perplexio - Great list of songs, I would like to point a few of my favorites out but all of them are so good that saying a few of my favorite would be an injustice to the others. I think I agree with you for the most part about keeping the politics away from the concerts because it can turn away some fans who don't exactly agree with their political views.
Layla - I would love to see CSNY and even though I am a strong liberal I don't think it is appropriate to create that type of envioronment at a concert where fans of all political views are attending. It is one thing to speak about injustices and problems in the world but it is another thing to disagree with the political views of the president.
However I think in some instances it is alright for a band to have political shows but only if their music relies heavily on their political views for example Rage Against the Machine, the name alone states that they are incredibly political and it would be pretty hard for me to understand how people with opposing views could really listen to them. CSNY isn't a band who's music is completely driven by politics so I think they should have steered clear on the Bush Bashing.
Jeff, I totally agree! Last year Bruce put on several shows specifically to promote Kerry for election and that's fine - people who attended knew that's what it was about.
By the way, I love Rage Against the Machine. (its one of the few bands my son and I can agree on! we always argue about who's turn it is to pick the music when we are driving)
I think some good points have been made here. Like jeff, I love the fact that music is an expressive art and yet another medium for political speech. Like Darrin, I love a clever song even if I disgree with what it says.
But I have to say that most politically oriented musci I've heard sucks. There are exceptions--some of those listed here are quite good. But overall, political songs that aren't done well come off as preachy and whiny.
Some artists you expect to be political and make comments to the crowd: CSNY, Springsteen, Green Day, Rage, U2, etc. It may be annoying to go to a show and be preached to, but you should know about the possibility/probability of it when you buy tickets. Caveat emptor!
-- david
When I saw Chicago live back in 2000, Robert Lamm (the writer of most of Chicago's most political material back in the early days) only made one political statement the whole night and it was merely a call to action, regardless of ones views. He just asked everyone in the audience to get out there and vote, regardless of who their candidate of choice was/is.
I found that to be quite refreshing and tactfully done as Lamm's politics tend to be quite liberal putting things the way he did was quite respectful of those who don't necessarily agree with his leanings.
Layla - Yeah, I think there are instances when if you don't see it coming then it is your own fault if you are offended. Also, I think it is great that you love Rage.
A funny story about Rage is back when Clinton was president and my Dad saw that Rage burned a flag on stage he hated them so much and didn't want me to ever see them live (probably the worst mistake in life is never seeing them.) Now when Bush is president he thinks Rage was a great band and feels they need to come back to protest his presidency.
David - I agree some politically charged music can come off really bad. I think in those instances it is bands who don't really know enough about politics to make an educated statement. I often feel now that bands are trying to jump on the political Bush Bashing bandwaggon to reap the benefits.
Perplexio - That is the best way to get political statements across tastefully. I think it is more important to have people making their own decissions and acting on their own beliefs rather than beind handfed information and taking it in blindly.
Making up one's own mind is often why I find myself reading foreign newspapers. When it comes to US domestic policy foreign newspapers tend to be a bit less slanted to one side or the other as they have no real stake in the issue one way or the other. I think when it comes to US news, the media is too close to the subject and thus it's impossible for them to be unbiased about it and as Washington grows increasingly more polarized so does the media.
Post a Comment
<< Home