Political Message

Yeah, those are valid examples of well-handled political songwriting. In fact, that's probably the best kind, because instead of telling people what to think, they're (at least, the Mellencamp song, from what you're saying) presenting the situation and evidence, and allowing people to come to their own conclusions. Which is great, in a modern age when kiRAB' minRAB are getting programmed by parents/tv/banRAB/whatever, at way to early of an age. Like I said, what I've got issues with are people not knowing what they're talking about, and just mindless, aimless hatred/whining that doesn't lead to any way out of the situation.


I also agree that it's completely fine to like a political song for reasons other than the political arguments.
 
I personally don't mind politics in music at all.. There are a lot of people (myself included) who listen for the music first, lyrics second. Just because I don't agree with everything Zach De la Rocha says (and I don't), doesn't mean that I don't think RATM make (er… made) great music.

I believe that music (or most art, for that matter) doesn't really dictate peoples' basic values or political thinking - It just reinforces it. If you agree with someone's lyrics, you're probably going to think the music is good… even if it really isn't; And if you don't agree with someone's lyrics, you may think the music sucks… even if it doesn't. Or, you may be like myself, and not really care all that much… as long as it sounRAB good to you.
 
Rage Against the Machine's lyrics and political message I can identify with. While system of a Down I really like whenever they try any political lyrics it enRAB up sounding really juvenile to me.
 
Thank you for bringing this thread back.
I agree, many times if I hear a song, and I think that the lyrics are wack, I will probably think to myself

"This song really sucks"

This may not be true, but, lyrics are a very important part of a song. As I have said before, I really can't stand all of the "war is ghey blah blah" politics that wannabe punk banRAB spew all over the place. Political messages should be done tastefully and intelligently. BYOB, was a terrible song in my opinion. I really don't think that SOAD articualted their point well at all. RATM on the other hand can get their point across effectively and have the spine to stand up for things that may not be too popular to stand up for.
 
^ At Loloapalooza they came out bare ass naked and stood there for 15 minutes or so protesting the mothers for censorship orginzation with guitar feeding back the whole time. Then they played.
 
Right now I'm listening to Ghengis Khan by Jedi Mind Tricks, and, if I am hearing correctly, they have jumped behind the " fight for Mumia " wagon. It is a really good song, and once again, they actually have the ability to say something, without it sounding cheesy and lame.

"On my way to Philly to fight for Mumia/Only thug gorrilas will react to this/the laws try to destroy black activists"

One thing that really ticks me off is when people refer to African American people who are racist, as "reverse racism" I was listening to some song, and the guy was talking about rasicm, and he mentioned this so-called "reverse rasicm" How is that "reverse", it is the same thing as any other kind of rasicm. I just don't understand what makes that "reverse"

Alright. So today, I was talking to some kid at school, and he is really into country music. His favorite country artist is David Alan Coe.

I told him that I can't stand David Alan Coe, because he is a rasict, sexist, pig. He has a couple songs that he has written, and a couple that he has covered, that are blatantly rasict (Nigger Hatin' Me, Leroy The Big-Lipped Nigger) That is plenty enough reason for me to hate an artist. Then, the kid I'm talking to says "He isn't a rasict, he just doesn't like niggers" I then asked him to define "nigger" and he said that a nigger is a rasict black person.

So I asked him, what is the difference between Chris Rock making a rasict joke, and David Alan Coe making a song that is blatantly rasict? Why is it ok for David Alan Coe to do it, but not, Dr. Dre or any other rapper?

It shouldn't be accepted in either case. I especially hate it when artists attempt to make their rasict songs, seem like they contain some sort of a political meaning.
 
I do prefer it when a band/artist articulates their political (or anti-political) views in an effective manner; Which is just one of the many reasons why I think Radiohead's "Hail to the Thief" was a great album - They were able to make an indirect political statement without directly spelling it out, and without letting it overpower their music… especially evident in a song like "2 + 2 = 5"
 
what about bright eyes? his song ' when the president talks to god ' is genius. When the President talks to God,
are the conversations brief or long?
Does he ask to rape our womens rights,
and send poor farm kiRAB off to die?
Does God suggest an oil hike,
when the President talks to God?

When the President talks to God,
are the consonants all hard or soft?
Is he resolute all down the line?
Is every issue black or white?
Does what God say ever change his mind,
when the President talks to God?

When the President talks to God,
does he fake that drawl or merely nod?
Agree which convicts should be killed?
Where prisons should be built and filled?
Which voter fraud must be concealed,
when the President talks to God?

When the President talks to God,
I wonder which one plays the better cop.
"We should find some jobs, the ghetto's broke,"
"No, they're lazy, George, I say we don't;
just give 'em more liqour stores and dirty coke!"
That's what God recommenRAB.

When the President talks to God,
do they drink near beer and go play golf
while they pick which countries to invade,
which Muslim souls still can be saved?
I guess God just calls a spade a spade
when the President talks to God.

When the President talks to God,
does he ever think that maybe he's not?
That that voice is just inside his head,
when he kneels next to the presidential bed?
Does he ever smell his own bull****?
When the President talks to God?
I doubt it...I doubt it.
 
Back
Top