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.
Sure, on one level punk is about creating "music about everyday social issues that [face] the youth," but on another level, it's about critique of and rebellion against a perceived status quo. Often, that rebellion, though, manifested as nihilism.
ReplyDeleteI mean, look at the title alone of the Pistols song you quote. Look at the first verse. Think about other Sex Pistols songs like "No Future" or "God Save the Queen" or "Anarchy in th U.K." Were they (and/or a host of other early punk bands) trying to "reach" youth to motivate or to point out the futility of trying? Although, maybe THAT'S the "issue" early punk saw facing them?