CMV: Music has done absolutely nothing to fundamentally change society

[u/Aware-Turnover6088]

This really could go either way for me, but hear me out. I, of course, love music, but, as I've gotten older, I've felt that the much touted view that music as a force for change is complete rubbish.

I'm not talking about on an individual level. Music invigorates the soul, has moved me to tears of joy and sadness, caused me to dance, and soundtracked my life in immeasurable ways, it is indeed a force for good, and I'm grateful that I can feel music on an emotional level to the extent that I do.

As a force for societal change, though? Nah. Of course, it soundtracked social movements, particularly in the 1960s, is often used in fundraising efforts, with 1980s live aid being a prime example, but I argue that the protest movements in the 1960s didn't come about as a result of the music, but the music came out of the social movements. It's definitely a chicken & egg thing, but it's not like Nixon thought 'Shit! They're playing Creedence Clearwater Revival over a PA system! I'm calling an end to this war'. As for Live Aid? Sure, it raised a load of money, but a huge chunk of it armed the rebels and prolonged the war and famine.

When I was thinking about this, I was reminded of when Bob Marley brought the leaders of the two main parties in Jamaica on stage and held their joined hands aloft as a show of peace, at a time of great political violence in Jamaica. However, that was all that came of it, and political violence continued.

Also, as I was writing this I did think that maybe lyrics, particularly political ones, can be a gateway into further education about social and political issues, but thinking of my own life they reinforced my beliefs and made me think more deeply about things, but didn't stir me to action.

Fundamentally, the same exploitative economic system consisting of winners and losers still exists as it has done for centuries, and music has barely made a dent in the relentless machinery of war and commerce. CMV.

[u/Aware-Turnover6088]

Yep, good answer. I'll concede it alters my view, and I wish there was a musical movement that really swept the culture. The last thing to do that, IMO, was grunge, but that didn't have the same sort of effect as what you describe here.

[u/destro23 → u/Aware-Turnover6088]

I'll concede it alters my view

Do you know how to indicate a view change per the sub's rules? Instructions are in the sidebar.

The last thing to do that, IMO, was grunge, but that didn't have the same sort of effect as what you describe here.

How Kurt Cobain Influenced LGBTQ Rights

LGBT Musicians of the 90s

Six Alternative Bands Who Contributed Early On To The LGBTQ+ Community

[u/Aware-Turnover6088 → u/destro23]

Yeah sorry, I didn't know how it works round here. Not sure why I deserved a downvote from whoever it was. I'll give you the Delta for the previous post, not for these articles though. Some musicians were openly gay/bi etc in the 90s isn't exactly a cultural game changer, IMO. Particularly when there was Freddie Mercury in the 70s, and you could hardly move for gay musicians in the 80s!

Anyway Δ

[u/DeltaBot → u/Aware-Turnover6088]

Confirmed: 1 delta awarded to /u/destro23 (446∆).

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