When I think of music and society, songs of government protest, peace, and messages of world healing come to mind. Some of the artists that I grew up listening to and who I relate to musically are Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, John Legend, and The Beatles, just to name. These musicians not only had an impact on American society and billboard charts, but they also affected many other parts of the world with their powerful songs of awareness.
Despite the controversy that he has been linked to most recently, Michael Jackson has always been an advocate for world peace and curing things like racism and hunger around the world. "Earth Song" is a song of his that comes to mind in terms of earth preservation and ending the over consumption of the earth's natural resources. This song was not only one of my favorites, but it was one of the most eye opening because of the video that accompanied it. The video featured special effects of the earth at its absolute worst state with our forests and rain forests being depleted leaving even more people starving and homeless. The video helped to launch the song to the top of the charts and to create more projects to save the planet. Michael Jackson also released racial protest songs entitled "They Don't Care About Us" and "Stranger In Moscow".
Detouring from the United States, there were artists such as The Beatles and Bob Marley who devoted almost all of their career to promoting equal rights, anti-war, and peace to all. Marley's powerful chart toppers such as "Redemption Song" and "War" gave many people the courage to speak out against those who threatened the well being and prosperity of peace. Another BIG protest song revolving around the Vietnam war is Marvin Gaye's hit "What's Going On". I once wrote an entire paper on this song and its impact on society in the 1970's and surprisingly, it is still affective today.
Due to the recent events of our very historical election, the tragedy of 911, and our unnecessary war in Iraq, artists have reached out and spoke out on behalf of our nation even more. Kid Rock's "Amen", Josh Groban's "Weeping", and John Legends number of songs supporting the Obama campaign. Protest songs and their effects on society have been around long before I or anyone else whom I have ever known. Songs for freedom have been around since the slave trade and remain alive through what is known as negro spirituals. "Ain't Nobody gon turn me Around", "Trouble don't last always", and "Go down Mosses".
After witnessing the inauguration of our new president Barack Obama, I feel that if we work together as a nation of Americans, we can change the status of many situations that negatively effect the way we live as a people. Maybe we won't have any need for songs of freedom, change, and peace if our government will work with its people and vice versa.
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I agree with the government working with the people. Bush's whole Regime, (I mean presidency) was nothing but secrets. Within 24 hours of the inauguration, I’m really excited because he is already following through with some of his campaign promises and has made the call to close Guantanamo bay Detention center within a year. To veer to a slightly different subject, due to all of the controversy about Michael Jackson I had never heard of all of the inspiration songs that he released, and I’m really glad that you brought those up.
ReplyDeleteI think that no matter how much the government helps these problems, there will always be the need for such songs- if only to remember. History likes to repeat itself, so our music should keep our goals at hand even when we begin to achieve them. It will help keep them alive.
ReplyDeleteI love Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On". I get chills sometimes when I hear it. I completely agree with you...the world needs to unite and make some major changes. Maybe the whole world needs to listen to this song more often!
ReplyDeleteIt's truly amazing how music can be used to make a statement and to promote public awareness.
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