MUSI 2540 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Me Too Movement, Lady Gaga
9 May 2018
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The Intersection of Pop Music and Politics
● Pop stars have often featured prominently in campaigns about nuclear weapons, civil,
gay, and women’s rights, famine, environmental issues, etc. But…
○ They are exceptional. Not commonplace.
● Why do professional entertainers feel able or obliged to become involved in politics?
Research
● Street outlines 2 main types of political involvement among musicians:
○ Political activism
■ Musicians exploit their public personas to support specific causes or
candidates “off the stage” (e.g. Bono)
○ Political argument
■ Musicians who take a political stance through their music (e.g., Morrissey)
● Identify an artist or band that has frequently been linked to a specific political issue or
agenda.
Distinguishing between Intention and Interpretation
● Intentional political music contains explicit statements of opposition. It is often called
“protest music”
○ E.g. “We Shall Overcome”
○ This music often contains a call to action.
● Some music becomes political through interpretation, even if no over political statements
are contained within the lyrics.
○ E.g. Kesha’s performance of “Praying” within the context of the #MeToo
movement
○ This music depends upon the context of its performance
○ Music can become political through acts of censorship
● Addition to Street’s argument, based on our theoretical explorations thus far:
○ Audience interpretation always impacts the political potential of music.
SHOULD ALL MUSICIANS BECOME ADVOCATES?
DEBATE
● They have the platform so use it
● If you’re contributing/helping, you’re part of the problem
● Network of influential people/fans/raise money
● They don’t have to center around their issue. Like they can do other things but they just
need to take a firm stance.
● Artists are in a privileged position so they should be doing something.
○ Donations
○ Social media
● Trust them more than politician, feel more connected with them. More honest.
● Not everyone is an advocate and follows politics, while everyone has their favorite
musicians.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Pop stars have often featured prominently in campaigns about nuclear weapons, civil, gay, and women"s rights, famine, environmental issues, etc. Street outlines 2 main types of political involvement among musicians: Musicians exploit their public personas to support specific causes or candidates off the stage (e. g. bono) Musicians who take a political stance through their music (e. g. , morrissey) Identify an artist or band that has frequently been linked to a specific political issue or agenda. Intentional political music contains explicit statements of opposition. This music often contains a call to action. Some music becomes political through interpretation, even if no over political statements are contained within the lyrics. Kesha"s performance of praying within the context of the #metoo movement. This music depends upon the context of its performance. Music can become political through acts of censorship. Addition to street"s argument, based on our theoretical explorations thus far: Audience interpretation always impacts the political potential of music.
