Too often I hear that rock music is rebellious and anti-social. I have seen rock music and its lyrics blamed for behaviour problems in youth. Most of the mainstream media on rock seems to place it in a negative light. In this blog I am going to highlight the complete opposite side of rock music – its good, politically active, educating side (yes, it does exist!)
“Since the early 1960s, many rock ‘n’ roll bands, folk singers, songwriters, and other musicians have had a visible role as activists at popular protests seeking to bring about social, environmental, and political changes” (Murguia, 2007). Too right they have! From John Lennon to U2, rock ‘n’ roll bands have been using their music as a method of conveying important political messages. ‘Imagine’ has a meaning that still resonates in current society, it still moves people to think just how pleasant life would be war free. Similarly, U2 are well known for their humanitarian efforts, and many of their songs depict their desire to end war, poverty and suffering around the world.
One of my personal favourite political activist bands is Midnight Oil. They have produced many songs that touch on very real, very important political and environmental issues existing within Australia. Whether it be ‘Beds are Burning’ and its overt Aboriginal land rights message, or ‘Blue Sky Mine’ with its anti-mining implications, Midnight Oil have been delivering a very big wake up call to all rock listeners for decades!
Murguía (2007) in his essay on rock band activism proposes that;
The global initiatives led by rock bands to fight poverty, social injustice, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic, along with many other political issues, have become increasingly important and well-known. However, activism is not only a movement but also a way of living, and the continued influence of such bands and musicians is dependent on the interest and acceptance of the emerging generations of the world's youth.
I can only hope that politically minded bands will remain in existence for years to come. Instead of blaming rock for children’s behaviour, Murguia has suggested that it is indeed the up and coming generation’s behaviour that will determine the future of rock. If they choose to not listen to the important politically and environmentally charged songs but ones with anti-social lyrics instead then critics of rock music may have a reason to demonize the genre; however if this style of music remains or even increases in production then rock music could well become one of the most powerful tools in educating and motivating music listeners to be politically and environmentally active throughout their lives. A lesson I wish was mandatory for all future generations.
Some bands and artists worthy of mention include (this is not an extensive list! There are many more bands not mentioned here that are still worthy);
Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Dead Kennedys, Frank Zappa, U2, Midnight Oil, Yothu Yindi, Xavier Rudd, John Butler Trio, Jack Johnson, Rage Against the Machine, Green Day…
If you know of more worthy bands then please add them in the comments!
Murguía, Diego I. 2007, "Rock Bands and Activism." Encyclopedia of Activism and Social Justice. SAGE Publications. 27 May. 2009.
“Since the early 1960s, many rock ‘n’ roll bands, folk singers, songwriters, and other musicians have had a visible role as activists at popular protests seeking to bring about social, environmental, and political changes” (Murguia, 2007). Too right they have! From John Lennon to U2, rock ‘n’ roll bands have been using their music as a method of conveying important political messages. ‘Imagine’ has a meaning that still resonates in current society, it still moves people to think just how pleasant life would be war free. Similarly, U2 are well known for their humanitarian efforts, and many of their songs depict their desire to end war, poverty and suffering around the world.
One of my personal favourite political activist bands is Midnight Oil. They have produced many songs that touch on very real, very important political and environmental issues existing within Australia. Whether it be ‘Beds are Burning’ and its overt Aboriginal land rights message, or ‘Blue Sky Mine’ with its anti-mining implications, Midnight Oil have been delivering a very big wake up call to all rock listeners for decades!
Murguía (2007) in his essay on rock band activism proposes that;
The global initiatives led by rock bands to fight poverty, social injustice, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic, along with many other political issues, have become increasingly important and well-known. However, activism is not only a movement but also a way of living, and the continued influence of such bands and musicians is dependent on the interest and acceptance of the emerging generations of the world's youth.
I can only hope that politically minded bands will remain in existence for years to come. Instead of blaming rock for children’s behaviour, Murguia has suggested that it is indeed the up and coming generation’s behaviour that will determine the future of rock. If they choose to not listen to the important politically and environmentally charged songs but ones with anti-social lyrics instead then critics of rock music may have a reason to demonize the genre; however if this style of music remains or even increases in production then rock music could well become one of the most powerful tools in educating and motivating music listeners to be politically and environmentally active throughout their lives. A lesson I wish was mandatory for all future generations.
Some bands and artists worthy of mention include (this is not an extensive list! There are many more bands not mentioned here that are still worthy);
Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Dead Kennedys, Frank Zappa, U2, Midnight Oil, Yothu Yindi, Xavier Rudd, John Butler Trio, Jack Johnson, Rage Against the Machine, Green Day…
If you know of more worthy bands then please add them in the comments!
Murguía, Diego I. 2007, "Rock Bands and Activism." Encyclopedia of Activism and Social Justice. SAGE Publications. 27 May. 2009.
Love the blog post, Sarah! Guster and KT Tunstall are also ones that came to my mind, when it comes to rock artists who are environmentally active.
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