David Bowie: A Musical Icon’s Influences on Society
Oddity: a strange or peculiar person, thing, or trait. David Bowie, one of the most prominent people of peculiarity heartily influenced music culture, starting with his first single, “Space Oddity.” David Jones- born on January 8, 1947 quickly became a worldwide icon. As one of the most dominant vocalist from his era into modern times, Bowie impacted the world and society now by transforming pop and fashion culture throughout the 70s, 80s, and 90s with his vivid image, original genre of music, and expanding boundaries of sexuality.
Bowie’s valiant sense of style and prominent alter-ego personas has contributed to fashion in modern times, widening views towards self expression. His various
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His style of music, still performed today, has influenced music worldwide and was viewed as “out of this world.” Feeney describes how Bowie’s encompassment of themes regarding space inhabitants in his music remotely inspired musicians such as Janelle Monáe to include dystopian themes and various other risks within her pop music. She aimed to leave her mark on the music industry, just as Bowie left his. Bowie’s unique style of music was sought through collaboration with producer, Brian Eno. After experimenting with different sounds, he eventually included commercial and space-themed sounds in his albums (“Bowie, David”). The author explicates how David Bowie’s distinct style of extraterrestrial themed music was originally fabricated, detailing he first began his cardinal rise to fame. The invention of this genre has both immediate effects on artists within Bowie’s decade and remote effects on artists in modern times. In addition, many other artists such as Arctic Monkeys, The Killers, Fall Out Boy, Charli XCX, Lorde, Kesha, and Jay Z are just some more of the many artists worldwide that were provoked by David Bowie’s musical brilliance, as they listened to Bowie’s music while creating their own albums (Devora). This indicates that David Bowie’s musical mark on society has ceased to disappear over
Michael Jackson is one of the most widely beloved entertainers and profoundly influential artists of all time; he leaves an indelible imprint on popular music and culture. Commonly referred to as the “King of Pop”, Michael Jackson continues to earn millions of dollars beyond the grave- earning over $700 million in the years since he passed away in 2009. As the pop genre derives from an abbreviation of “popular”, the King of Pop maintained record breaking popularity for extended periods of time. Pop music, is typically short and simple commercially recorded songs oriented towards a youth market; the King of Pop challenged stereotypes and the viewpoints of his audience with songs like “We are the World”, “Man in the Mirror” and many more.
Philip Auslander’s book “Performing Glam Rock” talks about a type of music that until this class, I have not heard much about. When I think Glam Rock I think of artists like Prince and Kiss, ...
In my paper, I argue that artists capture important insight in their personal experiences through music. In particular, I assert tha...
Taking a look back into our history, it is very hard to graze over the fact that music has reigned as one of the most influential components of artistic expression in our time. It has been a part of numerous peoples' lives across the globe since the beginning of time. Music has been able to not only define the people that craft it, but encompass and define a whole time period and culture in its own, leaving a very bold mark upon history. Two pieces of music that have played integral roles during their time are “In Paradisum” (by an anonymous individual) during the middle ages (600-1450), and “Same Love,” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, featuring Mary Lambert during the 21st century (2001-2100, specifically released in 2012). These musical pieces, although from two very different spectrums in history, share a few notable similarities, as well as some remarkable differences that embody the ever so changing sound of art in time.
There have always been pioneers in every field one can think of, no matter what. These people had a great mentality and also a taste for innovation and creativity, so they happened to make a great influence on what they were doing. This is why now; they are called ‘pioneers’. Music-wise, no one can ignore the impact of Michael Jackson’s music on the mainstream music in totality and particularly on the pop-culture. He started as one of the singers of a boy band and ended up becoming the greatest entertainer of all time (according to Guinness records). To give just a preview of the topics that will be discussed, in this paper I will provide a short biography of Michael Jackson, the onset
Freddie Mercury was not an activist; he was an inspiration to artists, the LGBT community, and AIDS patients. The lead singer of the famous British band, Queen, performed all over the world showing off his four octave vocal range with songs such as ‘I Want to Break Free’ ‘Fat Bottom Girls’ ‘We Will Rock You’ and their widely most noticeable song ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. Along with touring the globe, Freddie Mercury was able to reach out and inspire people with his music and the way he lived his life. Farrokh Bulsara joined up with the band Queen back in the 70s when the band’s name was originally, Smile. The name of the band was changed to Queen when Freddie thought the name sounded more prestigious and the rest of the band agreed.
Through Elvis Presley, rock ‘n’ roll changed the face of American music, and influenced a whole generation’s political philosophy. Composer Leonard Berstein once said, “He introduced the beat to everything and changed everything-music, language, clothes; it’s a whole new social revolution-the 60s come from it” (Wattenberg 6B). To his credit, Elvis embraced rhythm and blues not as a from to be imitated, but as a form to honored and interprete... ...
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...
Introduction: Perhaps no one has received this title in history “the king of pop”, now a days many artist’s have arisen and have performed but not as the king of pop known worldwide and in history, has dominated the world of pop as Michael Jackson.
Music’s role on society has changed drastically through the course of its history as it has become ever so increasingly expansive. Many of the previous musical movements were only for the wealthy as entertainment
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.
Throughout History, there have been many different varieties of music performed. There have also been several American Artists who have made important contributions towards the development of American Music. Many artists out there have made a huge impact not only towards the development of American music but to people as well. Those of which have been a big inspiration to America’s youth throughout this paper, I will focus solely on the life of Etta James.
There is one universal language: the language of music. Music has a special quality and ability to bridge both social and cultural divides. A proposed theory by Dr. Gray, Founder and Director of National Musical Arts’ BioMusic Program; describes music has been around longer than human-beings have. Music is the one thing human beings from various backgrounds can relate to. Every living creature would agree. Music is heard everywhere not just among humans, but in nature as well, through the twitting of birds, winds blowing, the soft sound of raindrops against a windowpane, the ocean waves moving back and forth and the hum of the ocean rushing in a sea shell. There is no escaping it; music lives in and surrounds us steadily. While there are countless songs which confer social or cultural consciousness, this paper will analyze and address the dynamics of M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes”, video. Stylistically, the paper will examine the artist point of view, the unique use of lyrical analysis and sound description in relation to its historical, social, political and/or cultural context. This essay will also trace the lyrical analysis and sound description of song and discuss how the elements (visually, sonically, and lyrically) interplay with the theme of immigration and/or violence.
Music is an art form and source of power. Many forms of music reflect culture and society, as well as, containing political content and social message. Music as social change has been highlighted throughout the 20th century. In the 1960s the United States saw political and socially oriented folk music discussing the Vietnam War and other social issues. In Jamaica during the 1970s and 1980s reggae developed out of the Ghetto’s of Trench town and expressed the social unrest of the poor and the need to over-through the oppressors. The 1980’s brought the newest development in social and political music, the emergence of hip-hop and rap. This urban musical art form that was developed in New York City has now taken over the mainstream, but originated as an empowering art form for urban youth and emerging working class.
“Look up here, I’m in heaven / I’ve got scars that can’t be seen”. These lyrics rang out in the music world whenever David Bowie, also known as the ¨Thin White Duke¨ or ¨Ziggy Stardust¨, passed away on January 10th, 2016 after an 18-month battle with liver cancer. This date was quick to be mysterious to anyone familiar with Bowie because two days before, on his 69th birthday, he released his astonishing final album Blackstar (stylised as ★), a masterwork containing extremely compelling subject matter, dealing with such captivating topics such as death & the meaning of life. Someone listening to Blackstar is immediately engaged into Bowie's solemn, yet meaningful mindset that he is nearing death & painting a landscape as to what it's like to