Politically Charged Music – Does It Make Any Difference?

Political expression in music is a constant that has and always will be present throughout periods in history and genres of music. The connection between politics and music has seen many cultures; from the anti-establishment counter-cultured punk rock of the 60s and 70s, or further back to the heights of classical music during the French revolution. Both these musical movements reflected the views of many at the time. People often use these musicians’ creations as a strongpoint to focus on, it is used to join believers in similar values and beliefs together.

The Greek philosopher Plato said, “when modes of music change, the fundamental laws of the state always change with them.” A rather bleak example of this is the way Hitler introduced a sense of patriotism in school children by using music about just how great Germany was. Here music education is used to instil ideological beliefs. On the other hand, you can look at the good music has done, with the fight against apartheid in South Africa the release of the song entitled ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ sent shockwaves around the world and was the catalyst to the demise if racial punishment. These are two vividly different examples of what Plato’s point that he was trying to get across that music can be used to send extremely strong messages for good and bad reasons.

Political messages can be used to create a following and a focal point for likeminded individuals, but it is the way the music is used that makes a bigger difference (like the examples in the previous paragraph.) Does the music convey a message rather than acting on one? In a year such as this, with such vast amounts of political decisions dominating the words on everyone’s lips and with bands that often have political messages at the front of their music such as Sleaford Mods, Shame and Idles all releasing new music. I wondered whether or it is the music or the message that makes people press play or perhaps whether they are the same thing. These bands are examples of what people would say is the music of anger, their music reacts to the political scenarios around them rather than trying to instil a new message to their listeners. This shows that a band can have a political identity within their music however they do not need to use that identity to try and do too much so to speak. They can have their twitter spats and include rage fuelled lyrics in their songs but using music as a political weapon to try and change the views of people and sway votes is an out-of-date practice. In an opposite culture music has become a greater social tool; for example, the achievement of Captain Tom Moore and Michael Balls number 1 hit. Musically I have heard better primary school recorder pieces, but people got behind the message, and I think that is important. The message and not the music were important.

When it comes to music making a political difference theirs no hope in hell it’ll change the landscape, but it can act as a beacon to attract people who feel the same way creating a cult of sort for that musician’s work. However, music can make a social change altering the way the listeners think about things and changing their outlook on life.