Something About Music and Politics
by: Syifaa N
Music is a tool to express our emotion, from happiness, romantic, disappointment, as well as anger. They are such an important part in our social life with huge impact in many aspects. In this case, songs can be used to portray a specific political message. This combination between rhythm, melodies, and encouraging lyrics become a shared experience that mobilizes and unifies groups, contributes to their movements and accompanies celebrations and rites. Therefore, music has the power to make a group of people with the same vision to believe or take action. By accepting this power exists, without questioning its source, one has only to control it in order to utilize it and regulate its effects.
The central theme here is that of the response to music, one of the most ancient topoi for reflections on music. One recalls Rousseau, who reminded us that the Swiss authorities prohibited their troops from playing a ranz des vaches (traditional herdsmen’s melody), because it caused those who listened to cry and, in their desire to see their homeland, become deserters. Recent research has also suggested that in many schools around the world, including in modern democratic nations, music has sometimes been used for the ideological purpose of instilling patriotism in children, and that particularly during wartime patriotic singing can escalate to inspire destructive jingoism.
In early 20th century, US Civil Rights Movement rises through folk music. During that time, the poor working conditions and struggle lead to growth of the Labour Movement and numerous songs advocating social and political reform. We cant forget about The Blues and African-American music influences, J.B. Leinor gained a reputation for political and social comment; his record label pulled the planned release of 1954 single “Eisenhower Blues” due to its title and later material protested civil rights, racism and the Vietnam War.
And the most famous period of political music probably comes from 1960s — 90s counter culture. For example, John Lennon straightforward expressed protest themes in his music. He wrote the song ‘Imagine’ that widely known as a peace anthem. Hip hop and Raggae have a lot musician that deliver politic messages to the public since 1970s. Punk rock music also strongly associated with various political propaganda. Bands such as The Clash, Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, and Sex Pistols have used political lyrics that point the establishment, sexism, capitalism, racism, speciesism, colonialism, and other phenomena they see as sources of social problems. Not differing from one another, the heavy metal genre also produces a bunch of political musician that have always raged against social injustice, we can name them Black Sabbath, Megadeth, Sepultura, Napalm Death, and System of a Down.
If we take a closer look in 1992, Rage Against the Machine released their self titled album that became their big hit about social and political movement. This album was a doctrine of the struggles against the establishment and known to be the rebellious rock anthem for people who are on the frontline trying to change the world. Interesting fact, the album cover features the famous 1963 photo of Thích Quảng Đức, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk who lit himself on fire and remained completely composed and emotionless throughout his self-immolation — in protest of the government’s oppression of the Buddhist religion.
https://www.cairn-int.info/article-E_RAI_014_0005--music-and-politics-the-language-of-music.htm
https://liveforlivemusic.com/features/the-intertwined-relationship-between-music-and-politics/
https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-real-story-of-rage-against-the-machine-s-debut-album
https://www.kerrang.com/the-stories-of-the-most-iconic-album-covers-in-rock
