Political Music: The Power of the Instrumental
Since the beginning of time, music has been used as a tool to influence people’s emotions and opinions. In recent years, political music – or music with a political message – has become increasingly popular. In this blog post, we’ll explore the power of the instrumental in political music and how it can be used to influence the masses.
The Power of Music
Music has always been a powerful tool, with the ability to influence emotions and change the mood of a person. It can be used to convey a message, or tell a story, and it has been used throughout history for these purposes. In recent years, music has been used as a tool for political protest and expression.
Music as a tool of political protest
Since the beginning of time, people have used music as a tool of political protest. From the ancient Greek playwright Aristophanes, who used his plays to skewer the politicians of his day, to the Jazz musicians of the civil rights movement in America, musicians have always been at the forefront of political change.
In recent years, we have seen the power of music as a tool of political protest in the Arab Spring, where protesters in Egypt and Tunisia used songs like “Ya rayah” and “Dégage” to rallying cries against their repressive regimes. In America, we have seen music being used as a tool of political protest against Donald Trump, with artists like YG and Prophets of Rage using their music to speak out against his policies.
As we enter into a new era of political turmoil, it is clear that music will continue to be a powerful tool of protest and resistance.
Music as a tool of political propaganda
Since the days of Ancient Rome, music has been used as a tool of political propaganda. In more recent history, we can see examples of this in the way that both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union used music to spread their respective ideologies.
More recently, music has been used as a form of political protest. In the 1960s,folk musicians such as Bob Dylan and Joan Baez used their music to protest against the Vietnam War. In more recent years, rappers such as Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino have used their music to tackle social and political issues such as racism and police brutality.
So, what is it about music that makes it such a powerful tool for political propaganda? One reason is that music is a very emotional art form. It can be used to stir up feelings of anger, hope, or patriotic pride. It can also be used to convey messages in a way that is direct but also subtle and open to interpretation.
Another reason why music is such a powerful tool for political propaganda is that it has the ability to reach large numbers of people. In the age of social media, a song or video can go viral in a matter of hours, reaching millions of people around the world. This makes it an ideal way for politicians and activists to get their message out there.
So, next time you’re listening to your favorite song, remember that it might be having a more profound effect on you than you realize!
The History of Political Music
Political music has always been about more than just the music. It has been about using the music to send a message. This was true in the early days of man, when music was used as a way to communicate between tribes. It was also true during the Civil Rights Movement, when music was used as a way to unite people and inspire them to fight for their rights. And it is still true today.
Classical music and the French Revolution
During the French Revolution, classical music became a tool for political propaganda. The most famous example is the “Marseillaise,” which was written by Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle in 1792 and quickly became the official anthem of the French Republic. The song’s stirring lyrics and military-style march beat were designed to rally the troops and inspire the people to fight for liberty. Other songs, such as “Ça ira” and “La Carmagnole,” were also popular during this time.
In addition to being used as propaganda, classical music was also used as a way to express support for the Revolution. Many composers, such as François-Joseph Gossec and Jean-Baptiste Lully, wrote music that celebrated the Revolution and its ideals. Gossec’s “Ode à la Nation” and Lully’s opera “Les Horaces” are just two examples of this type of work.
However, not all classical composers supported the Revolution. Many aristocratic composers, such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri, opposed the changes that were taking place in France. Mozart even wrote a satirical opera about the Revolution called “The Marriage of Figaro.”
As the Revolution progressed, its effect on classical music became more apparent. The genre began to move away from its traditional form and structure and adopted a more expressive style that mirrored the emotions of the times. This new style came to be known as “Romanticism” and it would go on to dominate classical music for centuries.
Folk music and the American Civil War
Folk music played an important role in the American Civil War. Soldiers from both the Union and the Confederacy would sing songs to boost morale, pass the time, and remember home. Some of these songs were patriotic anthems, others were ballads about lost love, but all of them helped to shape the course of history.
One of the most famous folk songs of the Civil War is “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” This song was originally a slave spiritual, but it was adapted by Union soldiers and became an anthem for the Northern cause. “The Battle Hymn” is still sung today, and it remains one of the most powerful pieces of political music ever written.
Other notable songs from the Civil War era include “Dixie,” which was written by a Confederate sympathizer and became one of the South’s most popular tunes, and “John Brown’s Body,” which was adapted from an old abolitionist song and turned into a Union marching song. These songs and many others helped to define a nation in a time of turmoil and change.
Rock music and the Cold War
The Cold War was a time of great tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. This tension was reflected in the music of the time, with each side using music as a tool to promote their own political agenda.
Rock music played a particularly important role in this propaganda battle, as it was seen as a symbol of freedom and democracy. American artists like Elvis Presley and The Beatles were hugely popular in the Soviet Union, and their music was used as a way to undermine the Communist regime.
On the other side, Soviet composers like Dmitri Shostakovich wrote music that glorified the Communist Party and its leader, Joseph Stalin. This music was designed to boost morale and keep people loyal to the regime.
The Cold War finally came to an end in 1991, but the impact of political music can still be felt today.
Contemporary Political Music
As we live in an increasingly digitized and fast-paced society, it can be easy to forget the power of music. In a time where we are constantly bombarded with words and images, music can be a refreshing way to take in the world around us. But music is more than just a break from the noise; it can also be a powerful tool for political change.
Hip-hop and the Black Lives Matter movement
Hip-hop has always been a genre of music that speaks to the struggles of minority communities, and the Black Lives Matter movement is no exception. Artists like Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Chance the Rapper have all used their platform to speak out against police brutality and systemic racism. Kendrick Lamar’s album “To Pimp A Butterfly” was a particular standout, with its frank discussion of race relations in America. J. Cole’s “Be Free” was an emotional response to the shooting of Michael Brown, and Chance the Rapper’s “Everyday People” was a call for unity in the face of division. These songs and others have helped to raise awareness of the Black Lives Matter movement and make it more relatable to a wider audience.
Country music and the 2016 US presidential election
In recent years, country music has become increasingly politicized. In the 2016 US presidential election, country music artists took sides, with some openly supporting Donald Trump and others voicing their opposition to his candidacy.
The election saw a divided response from the country music community, with some artists using their platform to speak out against Trump and others supporting him. Brad Paisley, for example, criticized Trump in his song “Without a Fight,” while Zac Brown Band lent their support to the candidate with their song “Loving You Easy.”
In the aftermath of the election, many country music artists have continued to voice their opinions on political issues, with some emerging as outspoken advocates for social change. Tim McGraw, for instance, has spoken out against gun violence, while Jason Isbell has been an outspoken critic of racism and xenophobia.
Conclusion
In conclusion, instrumental music has always been a significant part of the political process. From anthems to protest songs, musical expression has the power to influence both public and private opinion. In a world where words often fail us, music can be a powerful tool for communication and change.
