We all know music is everywhere just like politics, so to
some it makes sense they would play a part in each realm. In this article there
are a lot of facts about how they (musicians) can be used to support or
influence an outcome in a parties favor. There has been a long history of
politicians using the celebrity of musicians to reach a certain race or age
group to encourage a number of voters during an election such as, President
Bill Clinton and U2’s front man Bono, and President Barack Obama with Jay Z and
Beyonce. These examples are only reaching the surface, in the article the
author lists many that are found overseas and ones that fight against the
government they live in. An example of this is, the East German state imposed
controls over popular music that didn’t stand for what they (German government)
wanted their society to stand for. Many artists and songs were criticized for
not portraying the life of Germany (Cote, 741) in the sense that the artists
didn’t say what the government wanted them to say. This type of critical
thinking could be seen as hypocritical in all essence because of the use of
celebrity during an election year. The question I have that hasn’t been
answered is, why is it okay to use the celebrity of a musician for a personal
gain, but show a degree of discrimination toward them when it doesn’t benefit? I was hoping this article would help me to
understand, but unfortunately it hasn’t, what it has done is given me a better
understanding of the use for either side of politics and music.
When a government puts restrictions on music
it opens the door for argument and judgment toward both sides. Although
agencies, such as Parents Music Resource Center (founded by a number of wives
of US senators) have tried to limit musical expression and the rights of the First
Amendment, a force of musicians, John Denver, Frank Zappa, and Dee Snider,
united in the 1980’s at the U.S. hearings fighting against these attempts of judgment
and limitation of music. State monopolies and art subsidies have also been
attempted by the state government in a way to control or restrict the
production of popular music, some of which have even tried to control the teachings
of music to young children and all of this is due to the government’s and their
fear of the antigovernment messages that could come back to them (such a
shame). As all of this comes together, I have learned that because of their
popularity musicians can use the gift they were given to reach out to the
public to “speak out” for or against a proposed idea that was set out by a
political hopeful. And the same can be said in reverse.
References
Cote, T. (2011) Popular Musicians
and Their Songs as Threats to National Security: A World Perspective. The Journal of Popular Culture. 44(4) 732-755.
This article left me a bit bewildered. Political influence is much greater than just through music. I don't think it's fair to pigeon-hole only music. Celebrity/political influence is so great in this country. Look at the influence of Oprah's support of Obama. Look at how an interviewer can sway the viewers beliefs based on their interviewing technique. Music is an art and expression just the same as speech.
ReplyDeleteRobyn, I agree that political influence is greater than just through music, but my blog is based on music. I chose this article because it shows that music has more of an influence than just a lyrical one.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this article and you also did a great job on it. Language in music is very important, and could hold a lot of meaning, you can hear a song or a music piece that move your feelings toward something, and when i say that i especially mean the music and songs about politics. In the far past in the Egyptian history, we faced a lot of occupation in Egypt, and the Patriotic songs was the min source of the enthusiasm for the public to face the enemy, and off course this has not been given approbation by the government, and they resort to prevent these songs to avoid revolutions, and the same is happening now in Egypt by the same way, through songs and music.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah, I'm glad you enjoyed it I know I did. Also, thanks for the info on Egypt, I wasn't aware of the current conditions.
ReplyDeleteMelissa, your summary was informative. I agree that music does have a special kind of influence. I also think that it is important for the government to stay on task with governing rather than controlling the public. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteJonathan,
ReplyDeleteExactly!!! My opinion is that if the government would concentrate of the major issues that need work the economy wouldn't be up a creek... Music isn't something that can be controlled, I think they forget it is protected, the freedom of speech will always play its part in that.
Thanks for the comment!