MUSIC an influential force that drives society
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INTRODUCTION I am Iris Hills, a Student at American University. I am majoring in PR strategic communication and graphic design and minoring in psychology. This work investigates how people communicate through music and its effects both culturally and politically. I will explore the history of music and music production, in order to illustrate the power that
PSA:
music has on us all and how it influences our lives and society as a whole
As artists, performers, consumers, and music lovers, we must be aware of the cultural and political implications that music has on society and work to change the music industry into a place that fosters creativity and embodies the true essence of music.
CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND
musicking “Music is not a thing at all, but an activity, something that people do. The apparent thing ‘music’ is a figment, an abstraction of the action whose reality vanishes as we examine it at all closely.” -Christopher Small Christopher Small, a New Zealand born musician, educator, lecturer, and author believed that the power of music came not from intricate melodies or beautiful voices, but from the action of the art. Music is more than sound, it’s something that brings people together and makes them feel something. Musicking is about performance. It is the act of an artist bridging the gap between the instrument and the audience. Music is not one song or lyric, it is a process fueled by human emotion and connection.
history of sound recording phonograph A device invented by Thomas Edison in 1877. It was one of the earliest forms of mechanical reproduction of sound.
long-playing record
magnetic audio tape
An analog sound storage medium introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, which was soon adopted as the new standard of audio throughout the record industry.
The first magnetic sound device was made in 1898, but magnetic tapes themselves were first used in Germany some 40 years later during world war II.
stereophonic sound Modern stereophonic technology was invented in the 1930s by British engineer Alan Blumlein. It is A method of sound reproduction that creates an illusion of a multi-directional audible perspective.
analog recording
digital recording
A method of recording that captures the fluctuations of sound waves and stores those signals in a record’s grooves or a tape’s continuous stream of magnetized particles
It was first used in 1977 as a method of recording that translates sound waves into binary on-off pulses and stores that information as numerical codes
digital file format One of the first digital formats was mp3, developed in 1992. It’s a standard technology that enables digital recordings to be compressed into smaller, more manageable files which were readily accessible to the masses.
compact discs CDs were most popular in the 1980s. They are essentially small plastic discs in which music or other digital information is stored as numerical data and translated into information that can be read using reflected laser light to produce sound.
evolution
The days of owning physical music are long gone, with the exception of hipsters trying to tap into a cool old school vibe by playing vinyl records. Although most of them have thousands of songs downloaded on their phone, which exceeds the number of records they have ever owned. Technological advancement has brought forth a turning point in the evolution of music. Today, people are hooked on streaming services like Pandora, Spotify, Soundcloud, and more. Through the click of a button, the musical world is at your disposal. This has drastically transformed the music industry and the methods used to promote music in society at large. Everyone, from a kid in their basement to Beyonce has the ability to share their work with the world.
“The tools for a new artistic fusion of aural, visual, and dramatic means of expression are already within the reach of most households. As music continues to evolve with the technology and with input from other yet unidentified players, it will likely be woven deeper into the fabric of our daily existence and become even more ubiquitous.� - Peter Alhadeff, an Oxford economist, and historian More than ever the music industry is not about talent but, branding. The artists of today aren’t famous because of their beautiful voices, but because of their unique image and ability to connect with fans. The majority of their earnings are not generated from album or ticket sales anymore. They are now expanding their revenue by creating youtube channels, being brand ambassadors, and gaining a social media presence. In this competitive climate, artists have to be more than just their music production. They have to be a recognizable name or image.
CHAPTER 2: GENRES
blues
jazz
As the infamous Willie Dixon once said, “The Blues are
The term Jazz comes from a slang word coined in the
the roots and the other musics are the fruits. As long as
1860s called “jasm”. Jasm means “pep energy” which
American music survives, so will the Blues.” To reiterate
is indicative of the electric exuberance within this genre.
Dixon’s point, the Blues is the mother of all music. It stems
Jazz originated from African American communities of
from African musical traditions and was popularized by
New Orleans in the early 20th century. People love Jazz
the Black community around 1870. It’s origins come from
because of the improvisation, rhythmic urgency, and the
African-American work songs, spirituals, folk music, field
passion emanating from performers. Jazz bands embody
hollers and rhymed simple narrative ballads. A staple of the
what “musking” is all about because they feed off the
Blues form is a call-and-response pattern, brought to life
energy of the audience and treat every show like it’s their
with improvised hollers and interesting musical
last. Famous Jazz artists, like Ella Fitzgerald and Duke
progressions. The beauty of the Blues is its ability to heal
Ellington, brought an intoxicating vibrancy to every
and inspire. The Blues helped African Americans gain
performance. Jazz is more than just music, it is a way of
mainstream acceptance and played a big part in the civil
life, a liberation. During the 1920s, jazz music gave wom-
right movement. Blues shook the music industry to its core
en agency, an opportunity to reach beyond
because it confronted the status quo and opened new doors
traditional gender roles, and surpass societal expectations.
that people didn’t even know existed.
Jazz symbolizes sexual liberation and freedom.
rhythm blues
soul
R&B became popular in the black community in the
Soul combines elements of African-American gospel music,
1940s. It was a new urban sound combining an array
rhythm and blues, and jazz. Soul is often confused with
of classic genres like pop, jazz, soul, funk, hip hop,
rhythm & blues, but what makes soul music special is it’s the
and electronica. Rhythm and blues are characterized
use of gospel music, it’s greater emphasis on vocalists, and
by a distinctive beat with heavy bass undertones. The
it’s intertwining of religious and secular themes. Soul music
genre features a distinctive record production style
thrives from intense feelings and emotion. Impressive vocals
coordinating and embracing drum machine-backed
are often accompanied by handclaps, funky rhythms, and
rhythms, pitch corrected vocals, and a smooth, lush
unconventional beats.
style of vocal arrangement. It has the soulfulness of the Blues and the mainstream appeal of pop.
rock & roll
hip-hop
Known as the music of rebellion, Rock and Roll is
The energetic and complex beats often overshadow
Blues slang for sex. Rock and Roll brought a new
the lyrical complexity of hip-hop. Barack Obama
sound to the music industry that really spoke to the
said “The thing about hip-hop today is it’s smart, it’s
youth of America, living in a troubled and changing
insightful. The way they can communicate a complex
society. It has a standard formation of drums, bass,
message in a very short space is remarkable.” It started
electric guitar, and vocals. Its mass appeal derives from
in the 1970s and includes many elements such as
catchy riffs, repetitive melodies, steady beats, and con-
rapping, cutting or sampling by DJs, synthesized beats,
tagious energy. Rock and Roll tunes are characterized
and rhythmic beatboxing. It more than just catchy
by many as a form of youth rebellion, but many over-
beats or something to dance to. Hip-hop has given
look its larger implications in society. Rock and Roll
agency to marginalized communities and helped them
helped bridge the racial divide of the 50s’. Its seamless
reclaim their history and voice.
integration of country western music and rhythm & blues, broke racial barriers and fostered unity.
pop Many discredit pop music for being inauthentic and pre-packaged, but despite this negative perception, the genre remains among the most profitable. Pop possesses mass appeal and encompasses many musical genres, but often is comparably watered down. Pop has undergone an extreme transformation over the years because it mimics societal trends. In the ’50s Pop was shaped by the musical patterns of country, blues, folk music, and the current mainstream rock songs that everyone was listening to. Now pop music has changed from the squeaky clean bubblegum image it was known for, to edgier lyrics paired with repetitive electric beats. While the Pop music industry has gone through a rollercoaster of phases, “boy bands” have persisted, from the Jackson Five and the Beatles to One Direction and 5 Seconds of Summer.
other sub genres Folk Music Folk music began in the 1960s and usually has political themes. It is usually sung by untrained musicians and has lyrics inspired from oral tradition.
Punk Rock Punk Rock is like rock and roll on steroids. It broke up the “boy’s club” of rock and started the girl group trend.
Grunge Grunge is an updated version of punk, characterized by discordant guitar sounds, anti-fashion torn jeans, and flannel shirts.
Indie Rock Indie Rock takes qualities from other genres but de-commercializes and authenticates the underlying message.
CHAPTER 3: HOW DOES MUSIC AFFECT US
legal controls & expression “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” - First Amendment Censorship and moderation are often debated throughout society and the music industry. This argument has been used to advocate for artistic expression and negate lawsuits brought by disgruntled parents and politicians, who don’t like the messaging or lyrics of a song. Those wanting to censor music, claim that copious obscenities, as well as sexual and drug references, incite violence and are harmful to minors. Despite this, the Supreme Court has affirmed that the First Amendment protects artistic expression in America.
Even with these precautions in place, artists are often charged with obscenity and incitement charges. In 1988. two heavy metal artists were brought to court in the case of “Judas Priest vs. Second Judicial District Court” alleging that their music caused suicidal attempts amongst young listeners. It was argued that the Supreme Court’s 1969 verdict in “Brandenburg v. Ohio” permitted the regulation of public speech that incites “imminent lawless action”. Ultimately, the plaintiffs lost the case as they could not identify any harmful messages or persuasively prove a causal connection.
#$@&!
cultural hegemony Those In power have many means of coercion, but cultural hegemony is potentially the most powerful method. Though people aren’t coerced through brute force, hegemony is the predominant method of maintaining control over the masses. It’s dangerous because most individuals don’t even recognize that they are being manipulated. Systematic social inequality is conceptually embedded in our media through the social production and dissemination of propaganda.
Cultural hegemony exists in all media forms, especially the music industry. Music has always been an outlet for political and social dissent in cultural expression, which leaves the music industry vulnerable to censorship, suppression, and hegemony. Although music itself has served as a beacon of light for marginalized groups, Racism has persisted and thrived in the music industry for years. The monopolistic labels in the industry consist of predominantly rich white men. They have power and influence to advance their homogenized beliefs which favor the elite and privileged in society.
This trend has existed for years, from the era of Duke Ellington’s swing to the black pioneers of ragtime. The dominant record labels commodified these artists and received significant profits from their success, while also stifling their creativity and micromanaging their artistic voice. Exceptional artists such as Billie Holiday and Robert Johnson were marginalized from mainstream audiences because they were considered “race music”, which wasn’t seen as being suitable for mass production. In many cases, producers would “borrow” African-American folk music and rebrand it for famous mainstream white artists like Christy Minstrels and Elvis. The music industry still regulates what we are allowed to consume. Today, we have a plethora of music streaming services that deceive us into thinking that we have more freedom than we actually do. The truth is that these platforms use playlists, suggested songs, and algorithms to sway consumers’ musical choices, and u ltimately persuade everyone to listen to similar types of music, which excludes other innovative or less popular musical works.
political implications of music Music is often underestimated as a tool for influencing politics in society, but throughout history, it has been an instrument for protest, propaganda, and resistance. Music has also played a significant role in changing consumer opinions through political campaigns and advertisements. Possibly the most conventional forms of political music are protest songs. Popular songs like “This Land Is Your Land,” “War,” “We Shall Overcome,” and “Fight the Power,” may come to mind. These songs were and are powerful because they are able to articulate complex societal issues in an accessible form that is easy to digest. The impactful medlies, surging bass, and rhythmic verses paired with the intricate impactful lyrics, urge people to stand up and support movements of change.
Songs of protest serve as a life force for advocacy groups. Music has the power to move communities to resist and rebel against powerful adversaries. In the era of American slavery, empowering biblical songs of freedom, such as “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and “Go Down Moses”, were sung in southern cotton fields. Music continued to be a source of protest throughout history. In the ’60s, Bob Dylan helped rally people to protest against the Vietnam War. In the late ’80s, Rap called out social and racial inequalities by lyrically illustrating stories of police brutality and poverty. Today, Famous singers like Lady Gaga use their expansive presence and influence to support social movements and minority groups such as the LGBT community. Politically oriented music effectively serves not only the oppressed but also allies of the marginalized. Music and politics have a symbiotic relationship because music connects with listeners in a less intrusive manner but still delivers important social messages loud and clear. Music reaches out to many people and makes them feel involved in larger social causes.
“Any musical innovation is full of danger to the whole state, and ought to be prohibited. When modes of music change, the fundamental laws of the state always change with them.” - Plato
CHAPTER 4: MUSICAL LITERACY CONCLUSION “The society has many ways of attributing the social issues among young people to lyrics of music and somehow it has managed to manifest itself based on anecdotal evidence. But if music has the power to create negative responses, then it is as equally powerful to evoke positive energy.” -Abraham Simmonds, the 2017 recipient of The Queen’s Young Leader Award for Jamaica
Music is powerful and can be used to better our society rather than homogenizing it. Instead of censoring and complacently listening to music, we should teach people to think about what they are consuming. We should try to understand music’s larger implications in our lives and society. Music’s controversial and thought-provoking nature creates an ideal catalyst for critical discussion. It’s a platform in which people can identify important issues and receive information that they can relate to.
While technological advancement has opened up a new world of music, it can also distract us from the essence of what music really is. It’s not about conforming to societal standards of normality, it is about self-expression. “Musicking” takes us back to what music is really about. Our music choices don’t have to be about what’s popular or what the big labels want us to listen to. Sometimes it’s necessary to unplug and consume music in its natural form. As musical consumers, we should make an effort to see a live show, be part of something greater than ourselves, and just listen. Music should confront vulnerabilities, challenge pre-existing views, and inspire people to share their creativity with the world.
“Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves.” - Elton John That is the unique aspect of music. Whether it’s Blues, Jazz, Soul, Rock & Roll, Hip-Hop or even Pop, music can connect and influence people like no other form of media. With this power comes responsibility. It’s our job to use the power of music to expand our perspectives and enhance ourselves in order to better society.