CSNY movie or "should music be political" ? (Page 1 of 3)

Hmm, that's an interesting question (or questions!) Eva.

Should music be political, maybe.

When you look at musical history over the last fifty years or more I think it has been at times. Certainly CSNY and artists such as Dylan made a significant contribution to the protest groups and civil rights movements during the 1960s, the times were certainly changing... James Brown's "I'm black and I'm proud" was also significant. Both these artists knew they had influence on their fans.

I've heard some of the songs JB Lenoir wrote, such as Alabama Blues and Eisenhower Blues which also reflected the times he was living in (the latter song was banned incidently).

The punk bands of the 1970s in the UK I think were partly driven by the political and economic situations at the time and their anger reflected a distatisfaction with politicians at the time.

Perhaps though the best meeting of politics and music though was the Live Aid festival of the mid eighties, as this was famous bands performing a concert in the aid of Africa and its poor. The major difference of course was that it was not the songs that were political, but the message given by musicians participating at the event.

I guess though I have not answered the question, sometimes I feel artists may put a political message into a song and then find it is overlooked by their fans, or in other cases they may lose fans who disagree with their political beliefs. Robert Cray recently recorded a song called Soldier which made clear his opposition to the war in Iraq, and if you look at Amazon, it got bad reviews by people who disagreed with his politics rather than the music he had recorded.

In general though, I do believe as public figures, musicians should be praised for associating themselves with charitable causes such as the environment or world poverty. When it comes to them telling us who we should vote for (ie Paul Collins), then I'm against it. An interesting topic, I'd been keen to hear what others say...

I have absolutely no problem with people using music or there association with it concerning politics....well not exactly....if it doesnt see eye to eye to what my beliefs are, then it can bother, even anger me...no, I wont tell you which do and dont (makes sense?)....there in lyes the problem....so I would say in the larger picture...NO...I dont believe musicians or people in the entertainment business should use their popularity to influence..... my opinions are much to strong...so I'd say music should not be used as a platform for your personal agenda....but hey, thats just MY opinion!

Dave

Well said!!

I also agree with your point that if Joe (or another artist I liked) starting producing music in a political (or religious way) that I did not see eye to eye with it could put me off them or make me slightly less comfortable enjoying their music.

That being said, I still think there is value in artists bringing issues of concern to our attention, ie starvation, mistreatment of human rights, global warming etc.

EXACTLY.  Write me a song - let me HEAR your message in my own way, in my own time, and, most importantly, only IF I want to.  It may even become a PERMANENT part of my musical history and makeup.  But, PLEASE don't lecture me at a concert.  THAT is NOT why I go to concerts.   

I am reminded of a recent incident that happened right here at a huge festival, which I found to be PUSHY, RUDE and HYPOCRITICAL. 

After being denied permission by local authorities, the artist in question proceeded with his original plan to dump millions of little pieces of paper with the name of "his" Presidential candidate with a box checked off next to it over the festival grounds during his performance.  The problem was, the target was missed, which resulted in a HUGE mess of particularly sticky slips of paper all over MY TOWN.  Concert promoters stepped up to the plate to help with the major street cleaning, garbage trucks, etc., BUT, the majority of cleanup in gardens, and on lawns, driveways, and patios - countless hours worth, was handled by EACH citizen.  The artist in question??  NO WHERE TO BE FOUND.  NO HELP.  NO APOLOGY.  NO COMMENT.

I happen to be a big fan of his music.  BUT, I DON'T want HIM, or anyone else to tell me who to vote for, or how STUPID I am if I don't agree with him.  By the way, the last time I looked, he was NOT even a U.S. citizen.  Finally, anyone who CLAIMS to be an environmentalist and then LITTERS my town and walks away doesn't deserve my attention.  Uh-oh....... am I getting heated??  Yes, a little bit Jim.  Sorry - this particular incident really irritated me (remember, my grandfather was a founder of Keep America Beautiful - littering is a PARTICULAR PET PEEVE of mine - it's in my BLOOD.)

If I don't agree with someone's politics and they begin to voice them at a concert, I'm NOT going to enjoy it.  Likewise, if I DO agree with them, then I am VERY aware that SOMEONE ELSE in that audience will be squirming in THEIR seats.  Either way, SOMEONE is going to be UNHAPPY.  We DON'T all feel or vote the same way.  I think that bringing politics into the concert arena serves to alienate SOME fans and particularly if an artist's beliefs are served up with fiery rhetoric.  Yes Eva, I think the potential "abuse" comes into play if you have a 'captive audience' and hold them hostage to a lecture of your beliefs when they came to hear THE MUSIC.   

I'm VERY appreciative that Joe keeps his politics, whatever they may be, OFF the stage.  SING me your beliefs if you care to Joe, but, PLEASE, no lectures.

  Libby 

Very well said. I see nothing wrong with an artist expressing their views through their music. Performing a politically oriented song is OK too, as long as they sing that song and move on.
As far as I'm concerned, the live stage should not be turned into a bully pulpit.
I saw the CSN &Y tour and, regardless of my political views, it was somewhat offensive having their political views forced upon the audience. In a way, I felt like I was being held hostage.

Hits the nail on the head for me. Agreed, nothing worse than one of your favorite artists using thier stage as a soap box to preach thier politics from. Just shut up and play. I can think for myself.

Yeah forgot about that...that's more a human rights issue...I guess...but yeah I need be moved...feel sumpn...besides my lunch coming back up.

Wrong sort of lump in the throat eh?

Human rights?.....I reckon that's politics. Live Aid was human rights....the right for humans to live....so it was political....but the songs weren't, with a few exceptions. So we can have politics in music without it being rammed down our throats.

CSNY, Dylan, Bruce, Richie Havens etc etc have been poitical in their time...they still are ....but if our own politics fall into line with theirs then it isn't being rammed down our throats. We empathise and support the fact that they sing on our behalf. They can be our voice.

And....there's always the 'off' switch

Geoff