The main purpose of the current project is to consider, analyze and discuss the association of music as a cultural phenomena and as an illustration of protest that appears to be supported by the masses. In this regard, the paper will be divided into two sections – each devoted to comparing a corresponding songs’ pairs that are somehow represent the social protest against a particular issue prevalent in the society.
Specifically, for the first part of the assignment it is worth considering the classic music of protest of 20th century – punk and punk rock music. In particular, discussing the old example of punk or its traditional and widely known example, it is necessary reminding “God Save the Queen” composed and performed by Sex Pistols. The song has been identified as one opposing the ruling regime of the British Royal Family and its way of life being imposed upon the society of Britain of 1970s. However, the band members did not intentionally want to insult the Royal Family; instead, they just wanted to protect the interests of the working class people of England and remind the masses that they are the real rulers of the country (Johnlydon.com, 2007). As for the more contemporary example of punk music illustrating the same trend in the American society, it is worth discussing “Re-Education” of Rise Against depicting the fake values of the 21st century offering the song “talking a lot about the 9-to-5, dog-eat-dog lifestyle, and what we are asked to do to simply make ends meet nowadays” (Harris, 2008). By depicting such faulty values, both these bands try to protest against the situation they face in their daily lives and increase the public awareness about the problems of the society.
For the second part of this paper, it is also necessary to discuss completely different songs from past and present representing values of protest. In particular, the famous “F#ck tha Police” preformed by N.W.A. appears to be one of the most important among the examples of social minorities opposing the governmental regime and the police, in particular. The band simply highlights the fact that the police of those times could not be trusted due to its high level of prejudice against the African Americans. Due to high crime rates, the last were stereotyped as the only criminals existing in the American society of the 1980s and 1990s. Certainly, their manifest proclaiming their offense against the police system of the time has been widely recognized and sharply criticized by the officials. However, their musical creation has increased the public awareness of injustice against the black people living in America of those times (Harrington, 1989). As for the modern representation of protest against the social norms and governmental regimes, it is necessary discussing the creation of rap metal band Hacktivist. Even the name of the band clearly states their intentions and interests, representing new wave of activism and protest – its new form actual online. The lyrics and messages of the band appear to be less literal compared to the aforementioned songs and bands; however, the overall mood and protest is found in metaphorical lyrics of the band (Pasbani, 2014). Particularly, the band expresses the values of free information access and flow also protesting any related confines imposed by the governments. Therefore, it appears evident that the subjects of protest have been gradually changing, but in total, music has not stopped being an effective tool of expressing the people’s attitude towards something they do not like.
References
Harrington, R. (1989). THE FBI AS MUSIC CRITIC. Washington Post. Retrieved 21 February 2016, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1989/10/04/the-fbi-as-music-critic/3f9abdb7-bed1-45b2-83ca-7a6e7da59fa9/
Harris, C. (2008). Rise Against Claim There's Nothing Radical About Appeal To Reason. MTV News. Retrieved 21 February 2016, from http://www.mtv.com/news/1595294/rise-against-claim-theres-nothing-radical-about-appeal-to-reason/
Johnlydon.com,. (2007). John Lydon.Com | Sex Pistols Vinyl Reissues 2007. Retrieved 21 February 2016, from http://www.johnlydon.com/press/pistols.html
Pasbani, R. (2014). Is Nü-Djent The Next Big Thing? - Metal Injection. Metal Injection. Retrieved 21 February 2016, from http://www.metalinjection.net/editorials/is-nu-djent-the-next-big-thing
