OT: Our conversation about politics and music

[makeshiftb0y]

I guess it's a similar idea. I listen to political bands for the message. But I am okay with listening to religious music if I enjoy the music. I can see how it could be bothersome for some though if a band that does not normally have political or religious or whatever messages in their music and then all of a sudden have a controversial song or something. I just find it odd that you're okay with it if it's Christian, but think it should be left of music completely if it's political.

 

[pixburgher66]

This doesn't seem a bit contradictory to you? You think politics should be kept out of music, but you're fine with religion being a part of music because with that, you're listening to it for a message. You don't think some people listen to some music for political messages?

If your goal when listening to music is to hear a political message, as odd as that seems, than that's okay. And I'm not completely against a message being conveyed, I just hate when it feels forced on you. I mean, I loved Green Day back in the day (aka Middle School...), and their message was pretty clear, but they weren't consistantly forcing it. That's when it bothers me. There's absolutely nothing against having a political message in a song, but it shouldn't be the first thing you notice. But that's just my opinion.

 

[puckhead]

I like lyrics to have a story. don't care if it's religion, politics, revenge, cars, looking at a pretty girl.
if the message gets monotonous, I tend to move on.

I will never listen to an other Midnight Oil song (he's a political blowhard)
I am tired of Sammy Hagar (how many fucking songs can you write about the color red?)
Billy Bragg is just lucky that he's one of the top lyricists out there, or I'd get pretty tired of his 'Union Forever' rhetoric in 1/2 of his songs.

Some of the bands that I have enjoyed the most are all over the map
Iron Maiden - everything from history to literature to whores
Concrete Blonde - love, loss, redemption. terrific stuff.
The Cure - literature, unrequited shit, joy and pain.

if they write a few political ditties in the mix, that's fine and dandy, and I might even take it a bit more seriously, as they have proven themselves thoughtful on other levels.

 

[makeshiftb0y]

If your goal when listening to music is to hear a political message, as odd as that seems, than that's okay. And I'm not completely against a message being conveyed, I just hate when it feels forced on you. I mean, I loved Green Day back in the day (aka Middle School...), and their message was pretty clear, but they weren't consistantly forcing it. That's when it bothers me. There's absolutely nothing against having a political message in a song, but it shouldn't be the first thing you notice. But that's just my opinion.

I don't think it's odd. What do you think most punk and old school hardcore bands were singing about? However, I wouldn't really phrase it as saying my goal in listening to it is to hear a message. I listen to it because I enjoy it, and I may happen to appreciate the message. I don't care for most Christian music, but I don't really think it's odd that people listen to it.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Politics shouldn't be a part of music. You can send a message about what you believe and all, but I hate when you get a song you like, with a great beat, and as you're singing along you realize the political angle it has.

In the 60's music was very political & movement oriented. If it weren't for music a lot of things might not have turned out the way they did.

Music can be a very powerful entity.

 

[KillerVee]

In the 60's music was very political & movement oriented. If it weren't for music a lot of things might not have turned out the way they did.

Music can be a very powerful entity.

I was just about to say something along those lines.

 

[SLY]

liar

 

[KillerVee]

Not a liar, just slow Big night last night.

 

[Ho_Brah]

I love music. raised on Joni Mitchell, the Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Band, Simon & Garfunkel, the list goes on & on. My pops has like hundreds of vinyl lps. I absolutely love the music from the 60's & 70's.

My Teen years in the late 80's grew up the rap/breakdancing scene, old skool hip hop.



Music is life

 

[elocomotive]

Remember the other day when we discussed politics and music. Some people mentioned that they did not like certain artists because of their personal political stance....

Anyway, I though that it was a good conversation and wanted to continue it with a bunch of people that I consider to be highly educated, have good taste in music and sensible logical ways of thinking. Since I could not find any, I figured that you idiots would have to do! :p

My personal feeling in general is that I often don't know or care what the words are, but generally enjoy the music for what it is. For example, I've always loved Pearljam, but for years had no idea what half the words Eddie Vedder were saying were.

As someone who has performed and recorded a couple CDs, I'm generally more interested in how a band creates a certain sound than their lyrical content.

That said, people tend to pigeon-hole people by their profession. Just because you happen to be an artist doesn't mean you don't have some great ideas politically. And just because you're a politician, doesn't mean you couldn't also be a great musician.

Additionally, art and music has often played an important role in social, political, and cultural change throughout history. It provides a gap across cultures. Since there are roughly 37,548,782 songs that have been recorded about love, I have no issue with artists straying into feminism, political views, war, etc. on occasion and actually think it's a healthy part of the ongoing social and political dialogue.

 

[SLY]

There is nothing wrong with it... Just me personally, I can't listen to lyrics that are completely against my own.

 

[Wingingit]

I don't have any problem with any artist expressing their views with the art they perform in, including actors in that thought. What I do not like nor will ever agree on, is artist using their celebrity to push a view onto folks who will vote or be swayed to vote, by the view of the celebrity.

I grew up listening to CCR, Beatles, Simon and Garfunkle, The Doors, Niel Young, etc. etc.

The music was great, the expression of views were high, but none of them tried to tell me how to vote outside of the music.

There are several movie actors today, that I refuse to watch or listen to a word that comes out of their mouths, because they do not belong on the political podium.

 

[h X c Chris]

The worst is when I go to a show to see a band and the whole time they're bitching about some politician. Anti-Flag is the worst with that and i'll never ever go to another fest that has Anti-Flag there again.

I listen to a lot of Christian hardcore and I hear people bitching all the time "I don know how you can listen to that shit"

Well I dont know how people can listen to someone shoving their politics down your throat either so we're even.

 

[blindbaby]

For the most part, I listen to is jazz; instrumental jazz at that, so the idea or connotations behind lyrics are pretty much moot for me.

There are a few rock bands I do enjoy -- ELP, If, King Crimson, Yes (and a few others). Generally, the lyrics I tend to like are stories and tales. I'm just not much of a fan of "catchy" hooks. A catchy melody...yes; a catchy lyrical hook....not so much.

 

[SLY]

Holy shit another Toronto fan.

 

[Automattic]

Holy shit another Toronto fan.

You better watch your ass. Looks like your infraction count is aboot to double.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

The great thing about music is there's something for everyone. We all have different tastes. There isn't much I like about todays music but to each his/her own.

When artists today talk about politics in their songs they get criticized for it. There was a country duo I can't remember their name but they bashed Bush quite a bit & got ripped big time.

Pink on the other hand got away with bashing Bush. Music can be a dangerous & powerful thing.

 

[blindbaby]

Holy shit another Toronto fan.

From what I've seen, there's only 2 or three of us here.

 

[SLY]

You better watch your ass. Looks like your infraction count is aboot to double.

lmao.

 

[Wingingit]

The great thing about music is there's something for everyone. We all have different tastes. There isn't much I like about todays music but to each his/her own.

When artists today talk about politics in their songs they get criticized for it. There was a country duo I can't remember their name but they bashed Bush quite a bit & got ripped big time. Pink on the other hand got away with bashing Bush. Music can be a dangerous & powerful thing.

I think your referring to the Dixie Chicks, yeh the stations just refused to play their music, they lost the appeal.