Hi all, I'm currently writing a paper about the differences in cultural significance of today's protest music vs. that of music associated with the 60s and 70s counterculture movement. I am therefore interested in all of your oppinions (as representitives of the political activist community) regarding the effectiveness of today's protest music. "Effective" can mean a number of things - Is it an integral part of your social identity? Does it move you to take action? Does it contribute to your political awareness? Please consider some of these questions when you respond to the above poll. Any responses to the poll are appreciated. Any comments are welcome as well. Thanks!
I believe that protest music in todays socitey is alittle bit more aggressive, there is plenty of protest music out there. Rage Against the Machine, Tool, Wyclef Jean, I'm sure if I really took the time I could get a huge list. As long as there is man there will be protest and as long as there is music there will be protest music.
I agree with CloudFlower. The thing is that some of us weren't around in the 60's (although that would have been fucking awesome) so its hard to compare. We see that it did make a big impact but maybe at the time it was going on people didn't think it was going to, or people just thought that was what it was. But to get some more research I think you'd have to ask some old hippies too, there are some on this forum but you need to call some attention to it.
if you think protest music is dead, then obviously you're getting your entertainment from corporate media. it made fm in the 60s when fm was new and sort of half way damd near underground, just like alternative media is generaly today. people do get tired from time to time, of beating their heads against other people's, and all to often their own, lack of responsibility to do their homework in reguards to the priorities they actualy live by. protest music, when it is effective, not only ralleys movements, but as, if not more, important, inspires people to accept intrinsic responsibilities, not to beat themselves over the head for failings, but to do their thinking. i've been hearing a lot of really good protest music all along for the last six years, but i don't know how much, if any of it, has gotten into the popular media as real alternative (not npr, but pacifica and free speach and even more indi then that), is the only kind i've found to be worth turning on. =^^= .../\...
Did ya check out the new Neil Young Album - Living With War? That's some heavy shit! granted extra power from the 100 backingvoices behind the good man. Neil Young: Let's Impeach The President https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4kTnP5VJ1k Living With War Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZw1AdlghVs hope this helps you some Peace!
Well the protest songs of the sixties and seventies were on the charts and popular. Almost anthems for the youth of the day. I don't see anything like that today. But then I don't listen to the radio much anymore, and when I do I tune it to the golden oldies station. Some of the sixties songs ring as true today as they did back in the day.
actually for those thinking and saying that Hip Hop is dead...if you listen to the right kind of hip hop 85% of it is protest songs, in the same way Dylan used to do...
Here's how you can help get one of the best back in the charts in 2 weeks! http://www.freewebs.com/meatisstillmurder/
Music engagement with politics has historically been based on assumption and so has been prone to exaggeration. The distinction you must make is difference between music of protest and music of resistance - the latter has no actual political element though is has become politically symbolic. Examples of this would be the soundtrack of the civil rights movement in the 60's, Trex, beatles, led zeplin and it's influence on the solviet bloc, and to some degree the blues movement.
my friends band played theyre first show tonight! theyre called Ministry of Love and are protest music and they got a REALLY good turnout for a first show. all the other bands there were just hardcore morons, couldnt hear what they were even saying.
We definately don't have protest music that can be compared to that of Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, etc. but I know that we do have protest music. I bet that if there was a draft, a large amount of protest music would surface to mainstream media, but we never know what will happen.
If you want protest music, quit whining about how there isn't any and go write some yourself. The 60's protest music was created like that. Dylan wanted to send a messege, so he wrote some songs, or took old ones from the previous generation, and sang them. Same with Joan Baez, Phil Ochs, Pete Seeger, and many more. They didn't sit around whining about how there wasn't any protest music, they went out and did it. Sure some record companies won't put it out, but you look around and find one that will, like they did. We are only as quiet as our loudest voice.
Todays protest music has no talent to it, its just a lot of screaming. and its all so angry and agressive to, for instance the song "killing in the name of".
Protest music does still exist. Is it as effective as it was in the 60's? I would not say so. The main reason that it is not as effective is because it is underground, and not a whole lot of people are hearing it. The people who do take the time to research this music are obviously touched by it, but that is not enough for there to be such a movement that there was in the 60's. I find the newer music that I have heard (I am talking about the mainstream music) to be shallow, talentless, and too focused on fashion. I listen to strictly older bands, so I do not know a whole lot about newer music, but I do realize that there are underground bands out there who have talent and the ability to make such a change in our world. As another poster has said, it would be much more helpful to start creating protest music instead of complaining about the lack of it. It is obvious that if we want to get good music out there, we have got to try to create it. Complaining gets nothing done, but taking action does.
Alls i know is i listen to Bob Dylan. Hes got a lot of protest music about past wars and tings of that sort. I don't really know of any new protest music tho
Yes, it is past time for another massive peace march. Peter, Paul & Mary - Washington Peace March - 1971 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8U6Oh9uSY8
