Better not begun; once begun, better finished....

[nadroj1985]

The "Problem of Punk" thread, and a particular post by Andy, got me thinking about musicians and their obligations. If a musician is going to have a political message in their music, and complain about societal problems, do they have an obligation to provide answers to those problems?

Discuss.

 

[brettnolan]

The "Problem of Punk" thread, and a particular post by Andy, got me thinking about musicians and their obligations. If a musician is going to have a political message in their music, and complain about societal problems, do they have an obligation to provide answers to those problems?

Discuss.

I'm not sure they're obligated to have answers (some problems may not have easy answers), but I think they're obligated to walk their talk.

Of course, there are some artists who complain about EVERYTHING. I think THEY are obligated to just shut up.

 

[Nico]

i would say, no, they aren't obligated to provide the answers. who has the answers anyway? i think that simply raising an issue and asking people to think is pretty darn important, and that it is fine to do w/o having the answer to the question that you posed....

 

[oldrooster]

Look at Bono, he actually gets out and fights for solutions to problems.

 

[Dyrwen]

I'd say in the spirit of entertainment they aren't required to provide answers to those problems if they admit their music is merely a message of observance. A reflection of the times of the world or region they discuss in artistic forms.

If they do claim that these things need change, they should be willing to discuss them and attempt to postulate their own theories and solutions as to how to solve them. I do tend to prefer bands who run organizations or programs in their off-time or in the background and because they are knowledgable in the issues they're passionate about, their music tends to become of a better quality content-wise.

Certainly some attempt to take responsibility for their songs is needed at times, but one can't expect such things to be taken by all bands that attempt to send out a message. The least they could do is refer you to an organization that can help enforce their message with action. Rage Against the Machine used to do this in their slips and covers of their CDs to inform the buyer of organizations that can help. Many punk bands do the same and always have. At least acknowledging you've some way to make a difference is quite good compared to a whining idiot screaming about how life sucks and not attempting to at least acknowledge there are processes out there to help to his fans.

 

[twosteppin]

I'm not sure they're obligated to have answers (some problems may not have easy answers), but I think they're obligated to walk their talk.

Of course, there are some artists who complain about EVERYTHING. I think THEY are obligated to just shut up.

couldn't have said it better myself

 

[blackwasp]

I think when a band becomes political, they narrow their audience and can often become obnoxious. Rage is a perfect example.

 

[Axver]

Not necessarily, Blackwasp. Look at U2 - one of the most popular bands around (on sheer sales, the third most popular of all time, I understand) and one of the most political.

Look at Bono, he actually gets out and fights for solutions to problems.

Beat me to it! You're spot on. Unlike most of the other artists who whine and moan about issues, Bono gets his hands dirty (but now some fans are saying he spends too much time doing that, not enough recording!). I think if you're just going to mouth off, you can shut up, but if you have something intelligent to say, go ahead, and if you're prepared to try to change things yourself, then more power to you.

 

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

I think when a band becomes political, they narrow their audience and can often become obnoxious. Rage is a perfect example.

Yah but at least they stick up for what they believe.

I cant help but think about the Dixie Chicks... when they spoke out about Bush. I think its great that people dont just think or feel or believe whatever the people in power tell them to. ANd I for one, think its great when people speak out and stand up for what they believe.
I think what they did was gutsy and for that I applaude them. They took alot of heat for that, but I for one, respect them a whole deal greater then before.

I wish more artists spoke up for what they believed. I dont think they necessarily need to provide a solution, cos many of the problems they speak out against, arnt really any solutions for anyways....

It seems to me that alot of artists feel that as long as they donate to charitys, or start a charity of their own (Now Im not saying this is a bad thing at all.... AT ALL) But that seems the easy way out. When someone in showbuisness... music or whatever, speaks out against something... I Just personally feel they are doing a whole lot more.

I donno Im just rambling here
Please dont flame me
*runs and hides under a chair*
pfew... they cant get me here

 

[brettnolan]

I agree with blackwasp.

A lot of times that's not a bad thing, though. It helps get rid of them quicker.

 

[oldrooster]

Really, U2 has been around over 20 years.....

 

[brettnolan]

Really, U2 has been around over 20 years.....

Let's re-phrase to say those bands that are not as adept at tactfully presenting their agenda AND those bands who do absolutley NOTHING BUT advance some soapbox issue.

I can think of other artists similar to U2 in that respect...Rush, John Cougar Mellencamp, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen...

 

[nadroj1985]

I think when a band becomes political, they narrow their audience and can often become obnoxious. Rage is a perfect example.

I don't know about that. I like Rage, and their willingness to confront political issues. However, I do agree to some extent that bands can limit themselves when they become "political." I heard an interesting statement by Thom Yorke (lead singer of Radiohead for those who don't know) once. I can't find it now, but the basic idea was that he didn't write songs "about politics" because that limited their application to life. Basically, he's saying that politics is a rather narrow topic to be writing songs about. I tend to agree with him.

 

[eutychus]

Politics in music is like a movie with a political agenda - tiring. Both forms of entertainment should be able to include politics--it's a part of life as well as spirituality and philosophy. There needs to be a balance between the different aspects of life or the listeners become numb to the same lyrical message. That's one of the things that happens when the Christian subculture markets "Christian" music.

 

[theFijian]

The "Problem of Punk" thread, and a particular post by Andy, got me thinking about musicians and their obligations. If a musician is going to have a political message in their music, and complain about societal problems, do they have an obligation to provide answers to those problems?

Discuss.

You should know by now not to pay attention to what I say

I don't necessarily think that artists of any kind are obliged to provide answers, if they make people at least think about the things they sing/write/sculpt/paint about that then that's good enough for me. I think that they command more respect however if they are also seen to follow up their words with actions.

(that) Andy

 

[blackwasp]

I don't know about that. I like Rage, and their willingness to confront political issues. However, I do agree to some extent that bands can limit themselves when they become "political." I heard an interesting statement by Thom Yorke (lead singer of Radiohead for those who don't know) once. I can't find it now, but the basic idea was that he didn't write songs "about politics" because that limited their application to life. Basically, he's saying that politics is a rather narrow topic to be writing songs about. I tend to agree with him.

Yeah, I like Rage to an extent, one of the most progressive acts of the 90s, but after a while, nothing but politics gets tiring, as eutychus stated. That is a really good quote too. I agree with it.

 

[nadroj1985]

That is a really good quote too. I agree with it.

Cool. I'm surprised no one has vocally disagreed with it yet, actually. I didn't think most people would like that quote.

 

[oldrooster]

All work & no play..... Some politics is ok, not a steady diet....