Since time immemorial, musicians have provided a delicate insight into the state of our society. Their vivid lyrics and instrumental tones have been a window into what a generation has endured, overcome, created and experienced. From listening to a song, it’s relatively simple to deduce what era it came from, as the values and social practices of that generation played a hand in inspiring its creation.
Comparing today’s music to that of yesteryear is a startling revelation.
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| Arguably some of the most influential musicians of all time. |
In 1963 The Beatles released a single entitled “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” The boys from Liverpool were ecstatic at the prospect of merely holding the hands of the women they adored. It was a reflection of how relationships were viewed in their time. That’s a stark comparison to the current generation’s social practices where, as suggested by Nelly’s 2002 hit “Hot in Herre,” it would be more appropriate to dangle the keys to your luxury car in front of a woman to coax her onto the dance floor. Where it should then be common place, according to Nelly’s interpretation of modern culture, for her to take off all her clothes, of course that is dependant of the temperature in the room and whether it is ‘hot’ enough in there.
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| How many kids do you think this photo has influenced? |
In 1970, Creedence Clearwater Revival recorded a track called “Looking Out my Back Door.” The musical tone gave a jaunty, uplifting feeling and its lyrics described how an imagination could be sparked by simply sitting on the back porch. The conjuring of imagery such as ‘giants doing cartwheels’ and ‘flying spoons’ seemed so painless and natural. Now it would seem the fashionable way to evoke the imagination is to drink codeine laden cough syrup in the backseat of a car to emulate the sensation of “Flying Like a G6” jet. This, of course, is according to the Far East Movements 2010 release “Flying Like a G6.”
It’s often thought that musicians draw on their observations and experiences in life in order to compose their music, that their work is a reflection of the society they live in. Though there is definitely truth in that, I would go a step farther and suggest that their music also inspires culture, which puts them in a position of great responsibility.
This correlation is easiest explained in the context of war time, and anti-war protest songs.
In 1942 Dame Vera Lynn recorded the song “The White Cliffs of Dover.” Its intent was to boost the morale of the brave British soldiers and citizens that had endured arduous air battles and bombing raids from the German Luftwaffe. A song about the White Cliffs of Dover, being a symbol of British borders, could easily be seen as a galvanizing force for the peoples resolve and could have given them the courage to fight onward. Imagine an RAF pilot waiting in an aerodrome for his nights watch above the English Channel to start, and the last song he hears on the radio before heading to his spitfire is “The White Cliffs of Dover.” The mere act of hearing such an uplifting song before going into combat could have well been the difference in him coming back alive.
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| In the city of the Fortunate Sons, music helped spread the message. |
The Vietnam War has notoriously been seen, in retrospect, as one of the worst military engagements in US history. While support for the instigation of the war was acceptable, the later the years drew in, the more the support waned. Songs like “Blowin in the Wind” by Bob Dylan, “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival, and “Bring ‘em Home” by Pete Seeger put forth the opinions of the US’s participation in the Vietnam War. Also, who could forget Jimi Hendrix warped Woodstock rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” that gave the feeling of a country that was misfiring on its values and objectives. Again, I’d like you to imagine. Imagine during the time of the Vietnam War that you hear one of these songs on the radio, at a concert, or on the television and you immediately feel its impact, you hear its message. It stirs something in you, not a call to arms, but a call to bring arms, and the men that wield them home. It gives you the courage to join a protest, to stand up and have your voice heard. Your voice is joined by that of countless others, and together you become an anti-war movement that brings about the end of an era.
Now these songs may have been based upon already established feelings in the society, but musicians made sure their messages travelled farther than a single voice. They brought the concerns of a few and put them before the masses to be debated. It’s entirely possible that a song of such power can change the culture of a country.
So if music can influence change in society, politics, or culture, then what message is the music of today sending out? Are we becoming the people that rock bands, rappers and pop singers say we should be? Or if music is the merely the documentation of our social evolution, where is our civilization headed?
The popular music of today is often trite, formulated, with unintelligible lyrics, and it paints a grotesque picture of the modern world. Whether that is through musicians design or through their observation can never be decided.
Whichever side of the coin you look at, music is culture and culture is music. They dance together through various sounds and styles, but ultimately they are forever entwined.
Written By: Phil McCarron
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