The Influence of Music on Society
As we already know, music is a great influence on our lives. It can change the way we think, act, believe, and feel. But, did you know that it could also alter the world we live? Music is such a powerful tool to use that those with the right resources can make a significant change on society. We can go as far back as the 1930's to see how music has played a part in changes and movements like the civil rights movement. In this blog, you will see how many footprints music has left behind in this world.
Link to Midterm Report: https://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-influence-of-music-regine-chapman.html
Source: https://www.udiscovermusic.com/in-depth-features/how-music-changes-society/
Link To Comments Posted on Blogs: https://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2019/04/world-building-and-escapism.html?showComment=1556254024189#c6466473048189813521
https://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2019/04/a-life-on-eight-bit-farm.html?showComment=1556254784043#c9173674650239617498
Quiz
1. What song gave rise to the civil rights movement?
2. When did music first begin to make changes?
3.What did The Beatles encourage people to do?
4. Name the song that came out in 1978
5. What artists made people socially aware?
Discussion
Lyrics to a
song can be a powerful thing. It can make us excited, loved, sad, comforted,
and reassured. Songs have always been a mirror, reflecting events going on in
this world. Before the 20th Century, music was passed down through
the generations, but with technology around, every corner of the globe can
listen to it and hear your message.
In 1939, Billie Holiday wrote a song called Strange Fruit. It became the ‘declaration of war…the beginning of the civil-rights movement’. Before this song, racism and segregation wasn’t in songs. Billie Holiday depicted racism in its true state. In fact, she was afraid to sing it because of the backlash it would cause, but instead of hate she got love. The song sold over a million copies, changing the minds of everyone who listened to it. It gave them an insight of how torturous racism truly was. It opened doors for knowledge and conversation. Those who were affected by the song later went on to march with Martin Luther King Jr. Their grandchildren later continued their strides with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Music even made people see differently, especially with Jazz. Jazz in the 1930s was European dominated until Benny Goodman slid through those doors and mixed it for good. Muscians after that didn’t see color anymore, they only saw talent. Dave Brubeck, a jazz pianist, was pressured to get rid of his black bassist, but he adamantly refused. Thankfully, Jazz wasn’t the only genre turning things around for good. Pop music became very popular after the invention of television. People started to put faces to names and realizing that anyone can achieve success. It had the ability to make people think about what they were doing in the world and force to them to think things through. Artists like The Temptations, James Brown, and Marvin Gaye’s made people socially aware. This paved the way for other artists like Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, and Lil Dicky to continue spreading awareness about climate change, inequality, justice, and many other important events that need our undivided attention.
Music is not something to think little of when it has done so much for everyone on this planet. Think of The Beatles for example. Their music “encouraged people to think outside the norm and to challenge accepted wisdom”, as stated by Jamie Atkins. Music reflects the lifestyles of creative “forward-thinking people”. It can speak to those who feel oppressed, for instance a 1978 song called Glad To Be Gay by Tom Robinson dealt with the attitudes toward homosexuality with defiance. Songs like this empowered gay people by giving them love, confidence, and letting them know that someone will always be in their corner no matter what. Music will always be at forefront when it comes to changes that need to be made. It has helped so many different people with numerous backgrounds and beliefs. Music will always be here till the end of time, so plug in those earphones and listen to the message the artist is trying to convey. Below this blog post is music that changed our society.
In 1939, Billie Holiday wrote a song called Strange Fruit. It became the ‘declaration of war…the beginning of the civil-rights movement’. Before this song, racism and segregation wasn’t in songs. Billie Holiday depicted racism in its true state. In fact, she was afraid to sing it because of the backlash it would cause, but instead of hate she got love. The song sold over a million copies, changing the minds of everyone who listened to it. It gave them an insight of how torturous racism truly was. It opened doors for knowledge and conversation. Those who were affected by the song later went on to march with Martin Luther King Jr. Their grandchildren later continued their strides with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Music even made people see differently, especially with Jazz. Jazz in the 1930s was European dominated until Benny Goodman slid through those doors and mixed it for good. Muscians after that didn’t see color anymore, they only saw talent. Dave Brubeck, a jazz pianist, was pressured to get rid of his black bassist, but he adamantly refused. Thankfully, Jazz wasn’t the only genre turning things around for good. Pop music became very popular after the invention of television. People started to put faces to names and realizing that anyone can achieve success. It had the ability to make people think about what they were doing in the world and force to them to think things through. Artists like The Temptations, James Brown, and Marvin Gaye’s made people socially aware. This paved the way for other artists like Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, and Lil Dicky to continue spreading awareness about climate change, inequality, justice, and many other important events that need our undivided attention.
Music is not something to think little of when it has done so much for everyone on this planet. Think of The Beatles for example. Their music “encouraged people to think outside the norm and to challenge accepted wisdom”, as stated by Jamie Atkins. Music reflects the lifestyles of creative “forward-thinking people”. It can speak to those who feel oppressed, for instance a 1978 song called Glad To Be Gay by Tom Robinson dealt with the attitudes toward homosexuality with defiance. Songs like this empowered gay people by giving them love, confidence, and letting them know that someone will always be in their corner no matter what. Music will always be at forefront when it comes to changes that need to be made. It has helped so many different people with numerous backgrounds and beliefs. Music will always be here till the end of time, so plug in those earphones and listen to the message the artist is trying to convey. Below this blog post is music that changed our society.
Billie Holiday-Strange Fruit
Marvin Gaye-What's Going On
Tom Robinson-Glad To Be Gay
Link to Midterm Report: https://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-influence-of-music-regine-chapman.html
Source: https://www.udiscovermusic.com/in-depth-features/how-music-changes-society/
Link To Comments Posted on Blogs: https://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2019/04/world-building-and-escapism.html?showComment=1556254024189#c6466473048189813521
https://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2019/04/a-life-on-eight-bit-farm.html?showComment=1556254784043#c9173674650239617498
Quiz
1. What song gave rise to the civil rights movement?
2. When did music first begin to make changes?
3.What did The Beatles encourage people to do?
4. Name the song that came out in 1978
5. What artists made people socially aware?
Discussion
- After listening to the three songs above, what message did they convey and how did it make it you feel?
- Do you think music will still continue to change society?
- Has music ever did bad rather than good?
- Are there any artists you listen that influence you to do good?
Sect. 10
ReplyDeleteDo you think music will still continue to change society?
I think music will always have an extremely strong impact on society and it will always help change society. Music helps break down barriers and bring people together.
"changing the minds of everyone who listened to it" - Wish I could believe that. The recent resurgence of ugly white nationalism in this country makes it harder to believe, though we do need to remind ourselves that it's a relative minority of haters who create the perception of that resurgence. There's no doubt that music can reach people and change hearts and minds. The film "Green Book" explores that. (But for the flipside, see "Black Klansman".)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Beatles shoutout, they definitely impacted my younger self. "All You Need is Love" overstates the case, but I still affirm the spirit of their intent. And John Lennon's "Imagine"...
in my opinion music definitely influence to do evil. it was reported the ugly massacred of recent mosque attack in New Zealand that the perpetrator was listening to some white nationalist old music. and research showed that a lot of teenagers involved in lewd behavior are listening to certain music. so music does have a bad influence on certain individuals.
ReplyDeleteRegine-
ReplyDeleteYour report really stuck out to me as being extremely in tune with your passions. The songs you analyzed are perfect examples of music that truly incites emotion. Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday is a song that's immediately recognizable due to the song's tone, message, and Holiday's somber, slow singing. It was one of the first songs that I remember bringing out sadness in me and it is a perfect example for your subject. Another example I would recommend is Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" as it also holds a beautifully sad message and brings out your emotions from the first few notes.
-Julia Hudson
I'm a big music fan, attend concerts regularly, go to festivals, and probably listen to music at least an hour each day. That being said, I see first hand a particular view that music has on society.
ReplyDeleteIt allows people to express themselves and connects people. One person can write a song, and it can end up saving peoples lives. I read once on a study that people with depression and anxiety listened to music more than people without those things- it can help those people cope with their mental illnesses, and help them get through things that people can't.
At festivals, a glimpse of a dream society is presented. Everyone is happy, friendly, giving high fives to each other, helping each other out, and just all experiencing the music together. Of course lots of these people are on drugs, perhaps that plays a role in why they are so nice and loving. Either way, it is a great experience.
Overall, I think music can provide an escape from the darkness in the world.