Rock and pop are usually politically anti establishment. As John Street explains, "Pop becomes the expression of it's political and socoal context".
Songs themselves rarely achieve political change. For example Eminems 2004 anti establishment song "mosh" failed to prevent George Bush winning a consecutive term in office.
It would seem the artists themselves have more power due to their high profile status'. Artists like Bono and Bob Geldoff have helped raise millions for charity and have thus increased political awareness. However despite the aid, no actual political changes have been made.
Political change doesn't necessarily have to be positive. In the early 90's the associations of drug culture with rave music forced a new criminal justice act. Banning large scale raves, proving music can force political change.
If a band sings songs slating the government, causing a young fan not to vote. Is that not a political change?
Sunday, 14 March 2010
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Some interesting points here that address both the positive and negative power of popular music to effect change.
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