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Now this video was made by a 12th grader for extra credit and don't know who did the background music though I really like it and the kid should have got an A on her project
Have you ever stopped "liking" the music of an artist because you found out that they disagree with your own politics, sexual identiy, personal comportment, etc? Why would that make any difference to whether you enjoy listening to their work or not? The classic example would be the Dixie Chicks, but there are many others whose careers have been affected by a public that refused to listen to music that they really liked, or in the opposite case, started to endure music that they didn't like, making the shift for political reasons.
Even though I've tried to do this, I've given up. The reason is this: when I hear a song I like it's a visceral thing, and I think the enjoyment of it comes from a different part of my brain than my political views do. For example, I have always loved the song "Gimme Shelter" by the Rolling Stones. if I woke up tomorrow and saw on CNN that Mick Jagger said all Americans were moronic, inbred idiots, I would be pissed at him, yeah, and call him a limpwristed British punk, but I could no more stop enjoying that song the next time I heard it than I could, say, all of a sudden not enjoy the taste of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream because I found out they were child molesters.
See, music, like taste, is hardwired in us. It is a sensory thing, above and beyond petty, subjective things like our political or social views. Also, having been in the music biz for over 20 years, I came to realize a long time ago that a goodly percentage of my colleagues have huge egos and are often just overgrown children. It's just the nature of the beast. You try to let that stuff slide and then remember that the music is the thing.
Also, if I were attending Woodstock, the Concert For Bangladesh or the Musicians For Haiti Benefit; or, if the musicians were known for being passionate about politics, I would have expected the politics and been a willing participant.
Peter Townshend of the Who might take issue with that. It was during their set at Woodstock that Abbie Hoffman mounted the stage trying to give a political rap when Townshend shoved him away with his guitar . . .
I think that kind of thing is part of why the National Review picked a "The Who" song for "most conservative song." From what I can tell they were definitely not conservative, but some things seem to indicate they really didn't want their music to be too strongly linked to any particular ideology. (Which would include Leftist ones too)
You cannot always separate the politics from the music and let it "just wash" over you. Not a word was spoken. But, the message is loud and clear in this song. A five year old could probably get the drift.
Location: miami, fla. enjoying the relative cool, for now ;)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by saucywench
You cannot always separate the politics from the music and let it "just wash" over you. Not a word was spoken. But, the message is loud and clear in this song. A five year old could probably get the drift.
Part of the appeal of my favorite artist is his politics. It's in his music and lyrics, his interviews, his very being. I love what he stands for, what was important to him He wasn't perfect, but then who is???
When I bought this first record I became a full-blown rocker and I've been guitarded ever since. My favorite artist John Lennon.
Ive never stopped listening to an artist because of their politics, however, political viewpoints can (but not always do) make an artist I don't like even more annoying. Most country artists fit into that category.
A perfect example of this came to me this morning. I heard "Cat Scratch Fever" playing. Now, I don't care for Ted's politics, but I thoroughly enjoy his music.
Peter Townshend of the Who might take issue with that. It was during their set at Woodstock that Abbie Hoffman mounted the stage trying to give a political rap when Townshend shoved him away with his guitar . . .
heh
Not only that, Townshend wouldn't play until he made sure he was getting paid (he was a bit nervous when it became "a free concert from now on.")
Hoffman was simply being a jerk, aside from his political message--but of course he was also under the influence at the time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DrummerBoy
Even though I've tried to do this, I've given up. The reason is this: when I hear a song I like it's a visceral thing, and I think the enjoyment of it comes from a different part of my brain than my political views do. For example, I have always loved the song "Gimme Shelter" by the Rolling Stones. if I woke up tomorrow and saw on CNN that Mick Jagger said all Americans were moronic, inbred idiots, I would be pissed at him, yeah, and call him a limpwristed British punk, but I could no more stop enjoying that song the next time I heard it than I could, say, all of a sudden not enjoy the taste of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream because I found out they were child molesters.
See, music, like taste, is hardwired in us. It is a sensory thing, above and beyond petty, subjective things like our political or social views. Also, having been in the music biz for over 20 years, I came to realize a long time ago that a goodly percentage of my colleagues have huge egos and are often just overgrown children. It's just the nature of the beast. You try to let that stuff slide and then remember that the music is the thing.
Absolutely.
I even especially appreciate your example of Gimme Shelter.
Back when radio was good, and that album first came out, one of my favorite deejays played Gimme Shelter, was silent for a minute, and then said 'what the hell' and played the track again then and there.
When something is churnin' and burnin' it is difficult to intellectualize and consider the abstract--at least for me.
As you say, even if I tried, I could not dislike artists because of their ideology.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TKramar
A perfect example of this came to me this morning. I heard "Cat Scratch Fever" playing. Now, I don't care for Ted's politics, but I thoroughly enjoy his music.
Yeah, I like Cat Scratch Fever too. If it came on the radio I would not turn it off. I just try not to think about Sunrize Acres.
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John Lennon
My favorite artist John Lennon.
