Influence of Music on Young Adults Popular music and its artists have an enormous impact on our culture's youth from generation to generation. In almost any generation within the past fifty years, the behavior and beliefs of the majority of pre-teens and teens can be closely correlated with those of the popular music artist's of that time. Which music was "the popular music" changed drastically several times between the 1950s and the present, along with the attitudes of that generation's young adults. With each change in popular music came also a lasting change in the behavior of generations to follow. In some cases, the change was evident --the band or artist was creating or surrounded by controversy-- in other cases, the change was not evident until afterwards, a learning experience perhaps. In the 1950s, Bill Haley and the Comets first used the word "rock" to describe a musical form. They also released two movies, Blackboard Jungle, and Rock Around the Clock, which featured their music and were aimed specifically at young audiences. Blackboard Jungle told a story of teenage alienation and also made a star of Haley because of the overwhelming number of negative criticisms it received. Also, since adults of that time thought the music was just plain bad, the teens were even more drawn to its sound (Brown, 50, 53). Elvis Aaron Presley is known as the "King" today, but in the mid-fifties, he was known as "Elvis the Pelvis" because of his pelvic thrusts and somewhat exaggerated hip movements (67). These sexual mannerisms caught the attention of young women who viewed him as a sex icon, but also caught the attention of the media. In the fifties, these actions were too obscene to be shown on television and so it was that he could only be shown above the waist. The media attention and restrictions only made him more-loved by fans and better known to the public. The early sixties were the years of Motown when black performers like Aretha Franklin and The Jackson 5 were getting more recognition than those of the previous decade (Little Richard's songs were re-recorded by white performers in the fifties). The music of Motown played a major role in opening eyes and minds on issues of racism; while it was not spelled out in the lyrics, the music was performed so uniquely that it was difficult to copy, yet easy to enjoy and appreciate. In 1964, the Beatles arrived in the U.S. and captured the hearts of teenage girls with their soft rock, relationship-themed songs (129, 133). The Beatles redirected their songs toward adults as the sixties went on, moving away from the simple lyrics and basic chord progressions and rhythm patterns of their earlier material. It is fair to say that when the Beatles first arrived, parents hated them because of their "long" hair and the teen sensation they embodied, but as the band matured, they were an overall respected band. Folk-rock artists such as Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell became popular in the sixties, conveying their antiwar attitudes and in turn, influencing young Americans to stand against war and promote peace. The poetry and music of Bob Dylan and Simon and Garfunkel also had a powerful effect on those who listened deeply enough (154, 157, 159), as well as those who simply "dig him [Dylan]"(Christgau, 198). The seventies were a musical free-for-all. There was so much variety in the seventies that it is hard to pinpoint a form that lead in popularity. There was Disco, Funk, Progressive Rock, Punk, Psychedelic Rock; Folk-rock was still going strong with bands like Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young; Hard Rock bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath delved into the occult and "black magik" for dark lyrical themes. There were several bands that were overshadowed by the Beatles in the sixties and were not recognized until the seventies. Bands like the Who, with their song My Generation, possessed seventies attitudes even though they were formed in the sixties (173). If one word could sum up what was happening behind the scenes in the sixties and seventies, it would be drugs; hard drugs, that is. LSD was the basis for a lot of sixties acid rock groups like Jefferson Airplane, with long, repetitive, and usually pounding, rhythms (www.factmonster.com). It was no doubt that some songs were inspired by drugs during the painful times of the Vietnam War, but it also presented the idea that drugs were the way out; if you are young and feel lost, take a hit of acid, listen to our music. I am not pointing the blame for drug use at acid rock groups; most bands in the sixties were on drugs even though they did not all promote them with their music. Cocaine became immensely popular during the seventies. Discos were a non-stop drug and dance party. Hard rock groups used drugs often and excessively and usually led to the downfall or split-up of the band. Psychedelic rock had a large audience, even though some bands, whose music was called psychedelic, did not do any drugs at all. Pink Floyd is a good example; they were aware that the popularity of some of their albums had to do with their fans using drugs, but they themselves were against the idea of using them. The end of the seventies brought an end to Discos and the excessive and popular use of drugs. Bands still used drugs in the eighties, but most consumed large amounts of alcohol and partied harder than ever. Heavy Metal and New Wave were at the top during the eighties. Heavy Metal started out loud, fast, and strong, but it eventually turned into a fashion show and became "Glam Rock". Early Heavy Metal bands' like Judas Priest and Metallica, had lyrical themes of leather, motorcycles, and war. War was actually a big theme for a lot of the early metal bands because it was frightening; the songs spoke usually of the terrors of battle or the lasting trauma that can occur. These subjects did connect strongly with their audiences, but did not provide much of a cultural influence. The anthem for heavy metal fans had to be Quiet Riot's Metal Health (Bang Your Head), which gave name to the longhaired, post-hippie generation: Head-bangers. The metal bands did not last very long however, as "heavy metal" bands became increasingly more like glam rock bands, putting more emphasis on their fashion than their music or message. Bands like Poison, Twisted Sister, and even Motley Crue, were called heavy metal, but while early metal bands did not put any emphasis on their appearance, these new bands were their hair and their outfits. Preaching little more than how wild a lifestyle they lived, these glam-metal bands focused on themes of backstage orgies, getting drunk and going to strip clubs, but most of all, parties. These themes did have an effect on the teens of the eighties; the whole mentality of the eighties' youth seemed to be simply, "party relentlessly", watch any movie from the eighties and you can see that. New Wave emphasized fun. Bands like Devo, Men at Work, and Men Without Hats are mostly known for corny, or cheesy, music today. In the eighties however, these bands topped the charts with hit singles that really had no musical integrity, they were just songs that sounded like four or five guys (or girls) having a good time. Gay rights were also somewhat emphasized in some new wave bands and as a result, people became more open-minded about homosexuality. In the early nineties, one band changed a generation: Nirvana. Moving away from the leftover "party hard" mentality of the late eighties, Nirvana gave birth to Alternative rock, or "grunge", as it was commonly referred to as. The popularity of this music propelled other alternative bands like Pearl Jam and the Smashing Pumpkins into the limelight. These bands tended to be very opinionated and conveyed their feelings in their music. Thus, fans adopted their opinions and looked at life as the band would. Though there is still an audience for alternative rock today, its popularity was short-lived. By the mid nineties, hip-hop and gangsta rap had become mainstream. Identification with the ghetto became a popular theme in gangsta rap, and influenced fans to dress the way gangstas dress and talk the way gangstas talk. Rock bands of the nineties seemed nonexistent. If it was popular, it usually was a pop-rock group, a one-hit wonder, though the only "wonder" I saw in them was the fact that they even got airplay. The late nineties and new millennium saw the rise and slow decline of the popularity of boy bands like N*Sync. There are also a lot of teenage girl singers/performers springing up because of the popularity of one particular dancer named Britney Spears. The popularity of Britney Spears has only a small part to do with her music though. It seems that young girls either idolize her, or hate her. This dichotomy stems from her sexual innocence, but naughty appearance. Many young girls can look at her and praise her fashion sense, while others look and shout "slut". The hate seems to either stem from jealousy or, more likely, realism. Though a beautiful dancer she is, her persona is anything but real. She does not sing live (anyone who has ever tried to sing while jumping on a trampoline can tell you that) and she does not write the music people buy and listen to. However, her success is unsurpassed and she is a role model to many young women of our generation. What is to be learned from our generation? There does not appear to be a clearly defined movement being promoted like the antiwar movement of the sixties and seventies. Our generation will leave a legacy, or a lesson to be learned. Through the generations we have learned much; drug awareness, responsibility, and safe sex were all changes faced by generations following the previous generation's lifestyles. Our children will face different lifestyles that we are facing now, and the popular music of their time will surely shape their behavior and attitude to fit their generation. Works Cited Brown, Charles T. The Art of Rock and Roll. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, Inc. 1987. Christgau, Robert. Any Old Way You Choose It: Rock and Other Pop Music, 1967- 1973. Baltimore: Penguin Books Inc. 1973. http://www.factmonster.com/ce6/ent/A0860766.html This essay is the property of Jeremy Barbeau! Don't even think of turning this in as your work!
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Disco became one of the most sizably voluminous and most vilipended trends in music during the decade. It was so pervasive that many established singers and bands emerged with disco musical compositions to keep up with the trends, including rockers like Blondie and Rod Stewart. Heavier rock music and punk rock withal emerged during the decade, some of it as a retaliation to disco. Artists such as The Doors, The Who, The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Rod Stewart, Blondie, The Carpenters, Elton John, and Billy Joel set the tone of the era and drastically shifted societies views with their edgy lyrics and unique presentation of their
... War activists. As a result, this new type of music was seen as a way to establish a sense of identity and pride in oneself by the current generation. Rock ‘n’ roll concert events were a perfect way to get those activists together to simultaneously protest what it was they believed in, be it anti-technology, sexual stereotypes, communal living or pro-drug use or just simply desiring peace. Musicians rose to further fame by voicing the ideas of its listeners across a broad platform and drugs created a type of music that could enhance the timelessness of their drug experience in a supposedly new state of consciousness. Rock ‘n’ roll had gained popularity before the hippie movement began but the characteristics of the movement certainly helped to provide a gateway for new musicians to gain popularity and for those same musicians to exhibit further musical exploration.
V. To make this short I will start in the 50’s the golden age of rock and roll, continue to the 60’s with beatlemania, on to the 70’s with disco and punk rock, then the 80’s on through today.
The genre thrived and declared its difference from other types of music. In order to freely express themselves, "punk players and singers rejected musical ostentation and artifice" (Morrison 2006,). They abandoned embellishments, keyboards and productions. "... all that was left was slashing guitars, pumping bass, thumping drums, and snarling voices singing frankly realistic lyrics" (Morrison 2006,). The music itself seemed to offend instead of please.
Music is an outlet to all aspects of life and culture is a significant way of forming people and the way they live. Although not always seen directly culture has an overbearing influence on the music that is produced and made popular. The political Climate of the early seventies was full of fire with issues such as Vietnam and constant protest throughout the county. Later in the 70’s the end of the Vietnamese conflict brought the rise of the Watergate scandal and Iran Contra. These issues swept headlines and ingrained people’s thoughts. Social issues also played a big role in the developing culture of the seventies. Protests and constant outbreaks about gay rights and women’s rights seemed to overtake the country in storm. Later in the Decade the social climate changed to a celebration of the Past and a can-do attitude. Political and Social climates had an overbearing influence on the attitude that was being developed throughout the seventies. This climate was also transparent in the music world of this decade. In the early 70’s music lyrics were being created that were representative of the popular method of protest and social change. Music is a common way of expression and during this time artist and groups took the most of their popular music by expressing viewpoints on present issues. In the mid to late seventies the birth of new styles that broke from the old seemed to dominate the music industry. These new types of music ranged from disco to television pop. The music of the decade represented the culture and was greatly influenced by events and beliefs of the 70’s. At this time in American history, music and life became closely nit. In the late 1970’s, national issues settl...
Metalcore is described as having a complex history but mainly comes from thrash metal, hardcore punk, and extreme metal. Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized most typically by its fast tempo and aggression. Thrash metal songs typically use percussive beats and fast, low-register guitar riffs overlaid with shredding-style lead work. The origins of thrash metal are generally traced to the late nineteen seventies and early nineteen eighties when a number of predominately american bands began fusing elements of new wave British heavy metal with the speed and aggression of hardcore punk. A note worth mentioning is that thrash metal is widely regarded as having a “Big four” group of bands, being the most successful and influenti...
The Garage musicians in the 60’s started pushing the limits and playing with no rules stepping away from the rock norm. Starting with the Sonics, playing music like there were no rules. Mid to late 60’s there was the appearance of the Stooges and the MC5 in Detroit. These bands were raw, crude, and often political. often concerts get really violent, and opening the eyes of the music world.
Music can be traced back into human history to prehistoric eras. To this day archeologists uncover fragments of ancient instruments as well as tablets with carved lyrics buried alongside prominent leaders and highly influential people. This serves as a testament to the importance and power of music, as well as its influence in society. Over its many years of existence, music’s powerful invocation of feelings has allowed it to evolve and serve many purposes, one being inspiring change. American journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson once said, “Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of fuel. Sentimental people call it inspiration, but what they really mean is fuel.” This fuel is the very things that powers the influence of Rock ‘n’ Roll on American society, that author Glenn C. Altschuler writes about in his book, “All Shook Up – How Rock ‘n’ Roll Changed America.” Between 1945 and 1965 Rock ‘n’ Roll transformed American society and culture by helping to ease racial integration and launch a sexual revolution while most importantly developing an intergenerational identity.
The 1970s saw many changes within society. It was a time when teenagers, African Americans, and women were able to find their voice and almost all groupings of persons were beginning to publicly stand up for what they believed in. Likewise, people were beginning to find ways to incorporate more down time into their daily lives and started going out more, indulging in all-night dance clubs and drug use. Growing discontentment with the government was on the rise which allowed nearly every musical genre from the decade to influence the others, building a web of musical characteristics that linked many together.
The 1960s was a time of Rock, Rock and Roll, Blues Rock, Psychedelic Rock, etc. Rock was established in the 50s but took off in the 60s. One of the most popular bands at that time was The Beatles. The Beatles, in my opinion and many others, was the most influential band of the decade, not only changing rock but music in general forever. The Beatles were a rock band formed in Liverpool, but eventually
myself will much like' and it is clear that she is very fond of Emma.
With a closer look you can soon determine that the happy ending is not so happy after all. In Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream true love as well as fake love are boldly defined. Lysander and Hermia as well as Oberon and Titania’s love towards one another is legitimate and honest. However the fictitious love in the play dwells down to one sole character. Demetrius is the only character who’s love is a lie in which only exists due to magical potions. Demetrius’s love for Helena will forever be just a fraudulent feeling which leads to the conclusion that forged love exists within Shakespeare’s play.
In the mid-1990s, rock and roll experienced another of its many transitions. During the early ‘90s, the “grunge” scene, emanating from Seattle and its surrounding area, enthralled the youth of the time with the music of such acts as Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, and Nirvana. This surge in high-distortion, high angst rock snapped the genre out of the doldrums of glam-metal, which, for a long time, dominated the “rock music” racks of record stores across America.
Generally in the Untied States a average teenager growing up in the mid 70’s through the 80’s was shown a span of different genres and cultural changes. Many teenagers were becoming in need of something new for the 1970s was a time of many experimental genres. When interviewing a man who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s, Pink Floyd was a very recognized band. When asked what his thoughts were on the album The Wall he explained how it was a new version of music that amazed him and all his friends. He states “This so ...