Can music change culture? In a massive way; in a minor way?

otter

Music is powerful; it grabs you and gets in you. If you get into the: beat, rhythm, and sounds do the lyrics influence your attitude and actions?

Is our culture reflected in music or does the music change our culture? In Western Culture in the US during the 1950's was culture different because music was different or was music different because of the culture?

Does the artist's lyrics cause action from the people who are into it? In general...

Should anyone care if NWA tells stories about life in Compton or if Pearl Jam expresses angst in the inequality of haves and have nots? Does either lyric make a listener act out NWA"s stories or Pearl Jam's message? IDK

hedonist

Good questions.

Music is universal (see the Israeli kids playing Alive or any of the Playing for Change series).

Lyrics, well...look at how many of us have them in our signatures. Words are powerful in any medium and while they have an impact on me - even if bringing about introspection vs. literal action, they're not the only influence.

I think it's how when it all comes together so perfectly; I think of In My Tree, Blind Melon's Change, Tool's Lateralus, LVB's Ode to Joy, so many other gorgeous and humbling writings.

Honesty, purity, is key.

brianlux

It's an excellent question and for me a disturbing one. First, music was supposed to be a big factor in my boomer generation's declaration that we were going to change the world. We sang about change and we did indeed make some changes but then we (in general) forgot much of what we were hoping to change because we got too busy being careerist. We helped stop a war but war has escalated. We feed the poor but the poor increase in numbers. We created Earth Day yet the earth suffers under our weight more than ever. Ultimately, we did little to fundamentally change the culture. Yes, we did bring sexuality of all sorts out of closets (but homophobia still exists) and we disbarred the language such that it is ok to say shitpissfuckcuntcocksuckermotherfuckertits pretty much any time we want to (whoopy).

So younger generations- it's your turn. I wish you better success that what we accomplished.

hedonist

Nice Carlin reference, Brian.

As to change in a minor way, maybe the little effect that some music has on us expands if we choose to go that route.

I had a weird day and needing to decompress, flipped through the music channels our wonderful internet / cable provider provides us with. Happened upon BB King's Lucille - him speaking about her (and till now I'd only heard him sing), how she saved him literally and figuratively. It was like sitting in front of a fireplace being told a story.

Next song up was Bowie's Starman. Talk about a fucking smile. I will never (hope I never) lose that sense of amazement and...warmth...at how music and voice and thatwhateverelse can be so incredibly moving.

Guess my point is that the good energy received in those veins are given, too.

brianlux

hedonist wrote:

Nice Carlin reference, Brian.

As to change in a minor way, maybe the little effect that some music has on us expands if we choose to go that route.

I had a weird day and needing to decompress, flipped through the music channels our wonderful internet / cable provider provides us with. Happened upon BB King's Lucille - him speaking about her (and till now I'd only heard him sing), how she saved him literally and figuratively. It was like sitting in front of a fireplace being told a story.

Next song up was Bowie's Starman. Talk about a fucking smile. I will never (hope I never) lose that sense of amazement and...warmth...at how music and voice and thatwhateverelse can be so incredibly moving.

Guess my point is that the good energy received in those veins are given, too.

Super good point, Hedonist. Let's keep the good music vibe alive!