neil young says music cannot change the world

i am a target

think this may change Ed? Or at least shock him?

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080208160230.p2cyq6q1&show_article=1

josevolution

it can't, i can't think of one song that has ....

Get_Right

josevolution wrote:

it can't, i can't think of one song that has ....

I'd like to teach the world to sing
In perfect harmony
I'd like to buy the world a Coke
And keep it company
That's the real thing

other than that, your right

norm

josevolution wrote:

it can't, i can't think of one song that has ....

would be nice if there was one......

i am a target

josevolution wrote:

it can't, i can't think of one song that has ....

one song might not be able to but what about music as a form of expression or protest..

Come Back in Black

hobbes wrote:

think this may change Ed? Or at least shock him?

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080208160230.p2cyq6q1&show_article=1

That's cause Neil hadn't heard Rock around Barack yet.

Kilgore_Trout

when you look at the abundance of music out there alongside the steady digression of this planet and its inhabitants how can you argue with neil... im glad hes able to find a motivating place in himself tho to continually make the best music out there! its hard to avoid cynicism when youre as old as neil and have seen as much as he has, and im sure ed is starting to feel the wear too (especially after everything he did with the VFC tour in '04 and bush STILL somehow winning)... i feel sorry for those that have so much passion and are continually let down...

orig_long red

if music could change the world it would've done it a long time ago.

josevolution

hell we had LENNON on this earth for how many yrs writting great great songs and what has come of it damm "give peace a chance " for what look what is happening at the moment .......IMAGINE ...ENOUGH SAID..

Kilgore_Trout

i should add... think about any form of art... the idea is more about escaping the world than changing it... IMO anyway... the fact that real world figures and events are included in the songs or art is more about establishing a setting for you to escape into... i use the term escape loosely... its not always a pleasant experience... but it makes you feel... and i was ironically listening to neil when i saw this thread...

PJGARDEN

long red wrote:

if music could change the world it would've done it a long time ago.

How do you know it hasn't already changed it? Nobody knows what the world would be like right now without music.

btb002

Music can't change the world. No way can one idea penetrate human conscience as a whole. Doesn't mean it can't make a difference. Not everything has a solution. But music has been documented to save individual lives. And I can say, for me, music has changed my experience of the world for the better. So in that way for me, music has saved a little bit of the purity in the world.

covered in bliss

It's sad to read that Neil feels so defeated. He's been trying so hard for so long... maybe it's the age talking.

skyeriverwinter

.

brain of c

neil is right.

as usual.

LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun

Have any of you ever listened to a political/protest song and then changed your mind on an issue? i doubt it.

rage against tm

music can't change the world but it does give a renewed hope and strength by letting us know there are others that feel the same. i appreciate a musician or celebrity making a statement about what they believe, it gives that view a lot more attention than it would otherwise get, many times to the detriment of that persons career or popularity. speaking out must have an impact or why would the powers that be try to censor, have people placed on no play lists and boycotted? dissent thru music is powerful.there is hope that those that hear it will think about the statement, except for those that say "I like the music but not the politics man" i think they are the same people that can't read and believe everything the government says. i can tell you that neil had a lot of people at the living with war tour pissed about his comments and that it's self was worth it. music can't change the world, but the people listening can. neil + Ed we are listening in solidarity!

gobrowns19

The article is sad. Is it because it's true or what? I don't know. I think music can change the world, maybe one song can't change it directly but it influences groups of people who in turn influence society. When Neil said he didn't believe the tour had any impact on voters, i don't think it's because of the music. He's talking to the converted, preaching to the choir. Is the real problem that people aren't open minded and it's a requirement to feel the same on issues to enjoy his music? Maybe.

Still a sad article. I think Neil is at a point in his life though where he's trying to be more at peace with himself and his family, evident in Prairie Wind, beautiful and emotional album by the way.

the wolf

prob. right, cant change the world. but it can help.

think of the U.S.A. for africa, live aid, farm aid , and others like that.

those projects didnt change the world, but it did help a bit.

maybe.

who knows.

JaneNY

the wolf wrote:

prob. right, cant change the world. but it can help.

think of the U.S.A. for africa, live aid, farm aid , and others like that.

those projects didnt change the world, but it did help a bit.

maybe.

who knows.

Yes. This thread made me sad this morning, but then I was thinking during the day what about Bridge School? That has made a change in the world, and music, lots of it, has made a difference. I've never been to Bridge School, but I went to Download last year at the same venue, and it felt like being in church. On one side, there is a wooden fence, and many pictures of bands, pictures of them playing at Bridge School, including Pearl Jam, and to me these show a history of those who HAVE made a difference in plenty of peoples' lives, and Neil Young was instrumental in making it happen. I hope someone will remind him of this. I think we all feel discouraged. from time to time.

rage against tm

at nissan in va living with war tour people were really pissed, they bitched to the ushers about others dancing and celebrating durring the concert, many were asked to sit. I was personally asked to sit down to which this old lady replied you can tell the gentleman that complained to go F himself and then you go and stand over there where you are supposed to, never been asked to sit durring a concert before? 5'1 don;t block many peoples vision?a lot got up and walked out durring LETS IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT, more room and better vibes for those of us who came to enjoy, like airing the stink out of a room. Neil did make a difference if he pissed off one young republican it was worth it. sorta thought they sent them there by the bus load. he does make a difference or they wouldn't care what he sings.