Old Music and New Music: The Debate Continues

In her recent post at helium.com, Jamiee Martindale argues that there are two sides to the music of today: you either love it, or your hate it. She says that people who hate the modern era of music it, hate it for its lyrical content, and that 20 or 30 years ago, the lyrics reflected the changing beliefs in society.

So I decided to look at the top 40 chart from today November 15, 2010 and  then look back 30 years to see the top 40 chart in November 1980. Would there be a difference in lyrical content? Let's find out.

The number one single in America right now is....Rhianna and Drake's "What's my Name." Lyrically, I guess I'd have to say it's exactly how I thought it would be.  There's no depth to these lyrics but it's a good track.

In November of 1980, the number one track in the country was "The Tide is High" by Blondie. Personally, this is one of my favorite tracks of all-time. This track is a cover of a song. It was originally written in 1967 by John Holt. Lyrically, "The Tide is High" isn't a masterpiece of any kind. It has good lyrics, but not far superior lyrics to that of the Rhianna song.

What I'm really trying to get at with this post is that for Martindale to say that today's music has less lyrical content is a completely subjective statement. There are plenty of musicians today that speak of important social issues, and just because that's not reflected on the charts, doesn't mean our musical acts are any less socially aware then artists of the past. For her to say you either love today's music or you hate it is a pretty big conclusion. Besides, not all music has to make a social statement to be of importance. Sometimes, all we want to do is dance!!!

New Generation of Stars

There once was a time when super bands existed and ruled the air waves. Bands like the Beatles and Led Zeppelin sold millions of albums and sold out arenas all over the world. From Elvis Presley all they way to Metallica, throughout the 20th century there were plenty of artists who reached this extreme level of international  fame and success.

But in this new age of technology and rapid communication, the era of super bands has come to a close and has been replaced. Replaced by whom you ask? Replaced by music lovers like you and me!

The social networking site myspace, before it was bombarded with individual pages, was originally created for bands and artists to present their music to the masses for free. It allowed easy access to their music, gave background information, and displayed upcoming gigs which allowed people to hear bands and see them like never before. Myspace allowed bands to reach the public without the backing of a record label. Eventually, it would be taken over by everyday people and used for personal reasons. Myspace, even though it is considered prehistoric in the realm of social media, is still an important part of exposing your band and absolutely necessary if you plan to make any musical connections.

Everyday there new breakthroughs in music technology. We can sit in our rooms and create beats with our cell phones. No longer do we need big-time music producers to create hits. Easy to use software programs like Fruity Loops allow people to sample, loop, and produce their own hits. Mike Posner wrote and recorded his smash hit "You Think You're Cooler Than Me" in his dorm room at Duke University. Now add these easy to use computer programs with a medium like Myspace and anybody, as long as they write a good song, can create a hit and have people all over the world dancing.

Using social media to help young artists promote their music will continue to grow and evolve, just like the technology used to create music. It will become easier to make your beats and share it with the world. The following song was written, recorded, and produced in his bedroom.

Cut Funding for Military Bands?

In an August article in the Washington-Post, writer Walter Pincus discusses the large number of military bands throughout America and overseas. He suggests the military should cut back funding for "music performance teams" or MPT's.

It seems as though Pincus does not know the true value of music and how it can effect the human spirit.

Kimberly Moore knows the value of music. She knows how important creating and listening to music can be to people who, day in and day out, put their lives on the line. In her article for Psychology Today, Moore argues about the importance of music in the military, its history, and how it has affected the troops from the past to the present.

Pincus was drafted into the Army in 1955 and worked for the Counterintelligence corps in Washington D.C. for five years before he was discharged. Although he was drafted, Pincus never fought overseas, and while he makes a great argument in his article about the large number of bands there are in the Army, Pincus can never really understand what music means to the troops. Music is a way to escape the constant shooting, the deafening bombs, and the years separated from loved ones. Pincus has never truly expierenced  that hardship.

My Grandfather was in the military for five years. He fought in World War Two and was stationed in the South Pacific. While my Grandpa wasn't in a military band, he did however play the bagpipes, and use them as an escape from the bloodshed he saw everyday in the Pacific. He told me stories about him and other soldiers of Irish background getting together,  playing the bagpipes, and sharing stories. He learned tons of songs overseas which he used to play for me when I was a child.

Funding for music and music programs is getting cut all the time, and to deprive our military of the release that music can bring them from the horror they see everyday would be a travesty.

Punk Rock....Raver?

In my last post, I discussed the importance of punk rock and how a generation of young outcasts flocked to its aggressive style. When we think punk rock, we think of mohawks and spikes. Others think of leather jacks and chains. But have you ever thought of glowsticks and strobe lights? Maybe dance floors and glittery clothes? Punk rock may have been loud, arrogant and in your face, but it influenced a whole new generation of musical artists. These artists would go on to create what would later be called "Raver Nation."

There must be something in the water in Manchester, England because there seems to be no shortage of great musical acts hailing from that region. From the Smiths to Oasis, Manchester has pumped out a seemingly endless stream of influential artists. However, one band that seems to go under the radar and is still one of the most influential bands to come out of Manchester is Joy Division. Joy division was directly influenced by the Sex Pistols, another British act. The were signed by journalist Tony Wilson who started his own record label called Factory Records.

Joy Division was a huge success, but unfortunately, while preparing for their first U.S. tour the lead singer Ian Curtis committed suicide. However, the band still released their highly-anticipated album "Closer" with the single "Love Will Tear Us Apart" which would be the bands highest charting single. The three remaining members would go on to form the critically and commercially successful band New Order.

But what does this all mean, and how did this start the rave scene? Great question my friend! Tony Wilson, the journalist who signed Joy Division and now New Order, along with Rob Gretton needed a venue were bands with "different sounds" could play. A place free of judgement and an alternative to the mainstream clubs that had filled Manchester at the time. Wilson and Gretton created a venue called the Hacienda, and right away it was a success. It was packed every night and gave bands like New Order a venue to display their new style of music that was not punk, but not dance.



However, by the late 80's, the Hacienda was facing financial troubles and was unable to book big bands. Instead, they booked DJs because it was cheaper. Eventually, every night there was a new DJ. This was the birth of what we now know as night clubs. The Hacienda was the first place to embrace using a DJ and changed nightlife forever. It was the first place to hold all night raves and started "Raver Nation." Though the Hacienda would eventually go out of business, its legacy will continue forever.

And to think, every time you go to a nightclub or rave and dance, you owe it all to some punk rockers from Manchester.

Sheena is a Punk Rocker!!

In the 1970's, bands like Foreigner and Boston were selling out arenas all over the world and ruling pop radio like Genghis Khan ruled Asia in the 12th century. Known as arena rock, bands of that title focused on making long, orchestrated songs with guitar solos that were seemingly endless. They sold millions and millions of albums, but they lacked the emotional voice of the youth during that time. Enter punk rock.

Bands like the Velvet Underground and the Standells had been around since the mid-60's, but it was until bands like the Clash and the Sex Pistols from Britain and the Ramones from Brooklyn hit the scene that punk rock hit a wider, more diverse audience. No matter what background a kid came from, punk offered them an alternative to the arena rock and disco music of the time. It had heart, depth, and was unlike anything that had come before it. Punk rock lyrics dealt with the struggles of everyday. "Chinese Rock" by the Ramones is a prime example of the struggles kids face everyday in the city. "I'm livin on Chinese rock, All my best things are in hock, I'm livin on Chinese rock, everything is in the pawn shop."

In a blog by Russell Hall of Music News, rock music by the late 1970's was becoming "Disco-fied." With its aggressive guitar riffs, and quick to the point songs, punk rock broke away from this mold and developed its own sound, while making sure never to lose focus on the youth. Rock-n-Roll had started as a music for young people in the 50's but it lost sight of its purpose. Punk rock has never lost sight of its original purpose: create music about everyday social issues that faces the youth.

The message of punk rock music was clear through its lyrics. "Don't give into it all, Don't exsist, Don't disgrace, Don't ever judge me!" Any person who ever felt discriminated against or outcasted flocked to punk rock and its powerful message of self-acceptance. Who cares what anyone else thinks. Be yourself and always keep your head up.

Motown: Breaking social barriers with Black music

When you think of Motown, what artists come to mind? Do you think of the soft, sultry voices of the Supremes or dance hits from the Jackson 5? Maybe you think of Smokey Robinson or  the thunderous basslines' of the Isley Brothers. No matter what images come to mind when you think of Motown, there is no doubt that Berry Gordy and the artists of Motown revolutionized the music industry, and paved the way for African-American artists to be commercially successful in a time of extreme prejudice.

While African-Americans were being hosed in the streets and harassed by police, those same police were buying albums from Motown, and paying to see artists like the Temptations often in segregated theatres. Between 1961 and 1970, Motown had 110 top ten singles, all by African-American artists. Even though Motown did have several white artists, they were never able to duplicate the commercial success of the African-American artists.

Motown broke through all social barriers of the time, and, through its new and youthful sound, brought together a younger generation which didn't hold the same racially charged views as the generations of the past. Through music, people were finally able to push aside their views of race and embrace a feeling nationality instead of ethnicity.

The most socially conscious artist on the Motown label was none other than the late Marvin Gaye, and his 1971 album "What's Going On" was not only a critical and commercial success, selling two million albums by the end of 1972, but its socially charged lyrics and new neo-soul, funk style was something that had never been heard before. It is the landmark album in a career with countless hits. With "What's Going On," Gaye brought together black and white Americans with the idea that together they could make a stand against a government who was sending its sons to a meaningless death in a foreign country.

Motown will always be remembered as Hitsville U.S.A. However, Motown is more than record sales and chart-topping singles. It's more than beautifully composed music and choreographed performances. Through the power of music, it brought together a generation in need of an identity, and that's why Motown will live on forever.

The Wonderous World of Music

Be awed at the power of music. There quite simply is nothing like it. It moves you. It makes you sing at the top of your lungs  and dance like no body's watching, except for when you look at the car next to you and everyone in that vehicle is laughing. Music can even turn a dark, grim occasion into an all out celebratory dance party. Take it from me, playing some Earth, Wind and Fire at the reception of my Grandmother's funeral might not have seemed like a good idea, but it turned an event that was once filled with gloom and sorrow into a celebration of my grandmother's life. Besides, Earth, Wind and Fire was one of her favorite bands, so she would have been cool with it.
However, this blog won't be about the power of music and its effects on the individual. Rather, it will show how music inspires groups of individuals and vice-versa. This blog will show how music and social change go hand and hand. It will show how the use of music has brought new and groundbreaking social ideas to the forefront of american popular culture, and how these social changes effect the music as well.

From the Rock-n-roll of Elivs and Jerry Lee Lewis of the 50's to the Motown movement of the 60's, all the way up till the G-Funk era of hip hop in the 90's, music has always made a statement. No matter what decade, or what genre, music in America has always been about more then just dancing. It has and forever will be the eyes into the social struggle of todays youth.