I'm not really sure where to post this, it's more of a thought or observation than anything. Remember the 60's and 70's? Bands like The Who, The Beatles, Buffalo Springfield and many others thought it was their responsibility as musical artists to give a voice for political messages.
Is it me, or is that completely gone now? I can only think of a handful of songs from the past couple of decades with much a message. During the Vietnam war, so many musicians wrote songs in protest. That didn't happen with the war in Iraq.
My thought is, that if you are good enough to be a music star, you have to play ball with the corporate execs and they probably all got together and decided to ban such music and not allow it. The musicians today just want to make money, for the most part of course.
But am I crazy, has this been discussed? It just seems odd that now, musicians don't use their voice to send messages to the world like they used to.
NotALawyer ago
I think it has more to do with music industry being somewhat global business, and there is no clear issue for musicians to write about, i mean, not to the whole world. People have grown sedated with comfort and TV. Regional music stations, eg. in a specific small country with uncommon language still do carry messages for that specific country. There just isn't a pressing issue which would apply to majority of the world.
cmor88 ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4gHnudJ2IM Something like that? Or are you looking for something more direct? How about this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nW-IPrzM1g
BigBangFuzzy ago
There are plenty of musicians and bands that exist today who are spreading an excellent message, you just need to look. These bands/musicians certainly aren't showcased on mainstream radio, and if they are, they're slotted into a very late night timeslot. Like a heavy metal dedicated night (Triple J in Australia for example will play more controversial songs).
I also find that most music with a message attached to it comes through in alternative music such as metal/hardcore/post hardcore/underground hip hop etc.
Off the top of my head I can think of
These Artists and bands may not be on the same scale as 'The Who', 'The Beatles' and the like, but they are at least raising similar issues. Mathas (an Australian hip hop artist) in particular has an album which was released late 2015 where every track is essentially calling out the bullshit that society has turned into recently and other noteworthy issues. So there is a voice out there somewhere which is influencing young minds to some degree.
Anyway, that's just my two cents.
jrfg1743 ago
only one. pussy riot. and there music sucks. but still
Claudius ago
I got some bad news for you, man. I listen to college radio a lot and there are some political messages out there. Unfortunately, it is mostly third wave feminism shit. That is what the kids are into these days, so those are the political messages they look for in their music. Girl punk is a big political genre right now. I've heard songs (by Childbirth I think?) where the lyrics are literally just screaming "equal rights, equal rights, equal rights". Like, lol, which rights do women lack in the USA? These kids these days...
vagmulp ago
Listen to Xavier Rudd for some peacefully music with a message. You won't find him on the radio.
IDONTGIVEAFUCK ago
So lets post some good music now...
pinkfluff ago
Thats not true, the sugababes sang about this very thing
rhy ago
Shameless Plug:
www.roguerebelmusic.com
NamelessCrewmember ago
Some small independent radio plays these things. Local clubs sometimes have them perform, try kpig online, they play some fun random things you might like here and there.
youser ago
You're not gonna hear that on the mainstream anymore, but there are some punk and rock bands making music with messages about the current state of affairs. It's pretty sad that all the mainstream stuff has become homogeneous and void of any substance.
Mr_Wolf ago
The only messages I've heard over the radio through music is
Supporting our troops
Rednecks rule
Walmart is awesome
Mmmmmm fried chicken
I'm sure we could name a few more but it's mostly messages in support of keeping people in a low class.
moe_shinola ago
Support community radio. Promote and support local and awake artists. Become a musician yourself. Become the change you wish to hear on the radio.
Sciency ago
Top 40 is an abomination, but I can list a few bands that have a message that I've heard (on the radio) in the last couple months. Muse, rage against the machine and system of a down, are all strongly anti-establishment. 21 pilots, eminem, and macklamore all critique the priorities of modern society.
I cant think of a single true "pop" artist that fits though. I guess people who are bitter about society tend to stick with writing heavier music like rock and hiphop.
jrfg1743 ago
M.I.A.
vagmulp ago
Muse are not really considered anti-establishment, they're last album was called 'drones' and played heavily on commercial radio, I think you have them confused with Radiohead?
Sciency ago
I like radiohead, but I still think muse is anti establishment. That song drones is (at the very least) a critique of using drones for war, but it seems to have deeper meaning. The same album has clips of JFK's "great conspiracy" speach. I mean, they even had a song called MK ultra on one of their albums. Just my opinion though, theres pleany of better examples than muse out there, im sure.
Monsantos_Schlong ago
Know any artists or bands like that? Only ones I know are B.o.B and immortal technique
carbanara ago
The drive is to move everyone away from what have long been considered moral human values.
It's all about losing self control.
Amadameus ago
It's simple, and doesn't need to come from a political conspiracy. Here we go:
It's the same reason why there aren't any more ambitious movies. Trying hard and doing something risky has the potential to fail, and when you let corporate interests drive the industry they'll do the safest possible method that gets them money.
EarlPoncho ago
paul joseph watson made a video about this. he said all the popular artists now are produced by 1 of like 4 people or some shit
Atarian ago
Musicians tend to be pinkos, so that's probably a good thing.
asg101 ago
You have a handful of corporations that own all the radio stations.. and TV and newspapers. The only message they want you to hear is Consume, Obey, Comply, Don't Think. Any meaningful, thoughtful, provocative music will never be heard on corporate media. There are still some singer/songwriters that are more than mindless monotonous mercenary drones, but you will have to seek them out, the corporations won't be bringing them to you.
Sosacms ago
I felt like 90s had a lot of anger/unrest music then it's just gotten more and more happy go lucky until it's just songs about how fun their weekend was.
But is the music effecting the public or does the public effect the music?
Morpheus ago
Music affects the public.
440hz and sound activated DNA fragments.
Grunge ago
ya I should have mentioned there definitely seemed like a shift in the early 2000's, sort of like a corporate-culture shift and that has transcended into PC culture.
asg101 ago
Brave New World had Soma... Corporatized culture has "pop" music and "reality" shows.
crazy_eyes ago
It's cause they are pussies, scared to lose their career if they upset the apple cart
WhoToldYouThat ago
At some point you have to make a choice: is it about the art, or the money?
crazy_eyes ago
And it seems most of them choose the money
DishingShitLikeA ago
Media is a Jewish owned entity. I have respect for those who give them the finger by starting their own labels. That's the only way to fight back on that front.
Gerplunckamo ago
Theres always a message. Maybe you just can't hear it anymore.
asg101 ago
Sure there is a message: Consume, Obey, Comply, Don't Think.
Gerplunckamo ago
Maybe you'd be happier in a country without music, like Saudi Arabia. The bad thoughts can't get you there!
Grunge ago
maybe not. But musicians used to have a very powerful voice and I just feel like thats completely gone. Sure there are some messages in songs, but they aren't powerful. People might not like this example, but NWA's Fuck the Police - That was a powerful song. Rage against the machine put out a message, but people make fun of it more than anything. Since Rage, what else has there been? Muse put out Uprising, but it wasn't a powerful song, people just liked the tune.
Gerplunckamo ago
The message transcends time, lyrics, and taste in genre.
Our emotions and sensations, the primal animal within us, is what the message speaks to.
WhoToldYouThat ago
2deep4me