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Censorship of Music
Music has always been a basic form of expression. From Antonin Dvorak, to Eminem, to even ancient, tribal music, it has been a medium through which individuals convey their thoughts and expressions. Today this medium is under attack. Everywhere we turn, everything we do and say is being scrutinized. We are being told what to say. We are being spoon-fed our emotions. No longer are we allowed to think freely, openly. All the censors out there are on the prowl for another piece to rip to shreds because it doesn't fit their description of what is decent and moral. What they fail to realize is that we don't make the music for them... We do it for release.
Music has often been the release for some of our most troublesome times. If you are angry or sad, you go home and put in a song that relates to your feelings, making you feel better. I personally, write when I'm not in the best mood. Whether I'm depressed, angry, or whatever, I know that the pen is my one true friend, and the parchment will never tell me lies. Many people fail to see this as therapy. They see it as cursing, vulgarity, etc., just for the hell of it. This is not true in most cases.
On Eric Nuzum's (I know you love him!) website I found some interesting facts. Following the September 11th terrorist attacks, Clear Channel Communications released a list of 150 "lyrically questionable" songs that it was requesting stations remove from their play lists (Nuzum). Some of these songs were: "Highway to Hell" and "Shoot to Thrill" AC/DC, "Jet Airliner" Steve Miller Band, "Fly" Sugar Ray, "Another One Bites the dust" Queen, all songs by Rage Against the Machine, and, to beat all else, "Walk Like an Egyptian" The Bangles. Some of the songs on this list are just ridiculous to the point of hilarity! I'm sure "99 Luft Balloons" is going to start a riot!
Another amusing example was in June 1965, radio stations across the country ban the Rolling Stones "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" because they believe the lyrics are too sexually suggestive.
In "On the concept of moral panic" Garland, David (2008) argues that, from subliminal messages to witch hunts, the moral panic has existed for many centuries especially when related to the music industry (25). Moral panic even predates television. A moral panic in particular that experienced much media presence and public reactions were in the1980s when allegations arose on how subliminal messages were being hidden in songs through the process of back masking. In the 1980s, Christian evangelists started noticing that there were some messages being passed in rock and roll music. This issue caused a moral panic as it was alleged that some rock band wrote and sang songs that when sang backwards held some particular messages. The songs were alleged to be containing satanic content or occult and encouraging drug and alcohol abuse. Back-masking created a moral panic in the country and had several effects in the rock roll music industry.
Censorship in music is a very controversial subject in today’s society. What is considered a form of artistic expression to some is also considered vulgar and inappropriate to others. But who ultimately gets to decide what is considered vulgar and what is not? Who decides who hears what in the music industry? The RIAA is responsible for applying the Parental Advisory stamp on every album that is released in the United States. The FCC is responsible for making sure that no vulgarities or controversial comments are aired on radio or television. But why is some content edited and other content not? I will try and explain these questions in our article.
Music is one of the most popular ways of expression and has been for generations. It makes us want to dance, inspires, soothes, relaxes, and sometimes tells us a story. Music is something the whole world shares and has brought together different kinds of people. However, there has been a question on whether some music has affected society negatively and crossed the line with some of its lyrics, content, and the persona of the artists. Certain music has been boycotted and even banned in the U.S. Pro-censorship supporters say that music is something that can deeply affect our society especially children who should not have to be subjected to things like violence, sex, drugs, or hate. However, being that music is a form of expression, censoring it would just be violating everyone's right to freedom of speech and expression.
If one were to look back into the world’s history, one would find that an important and consistent element is the world of music. Music has presented itself in various forms throughout its spread and through our identification of its magical realm, people have been fortunate enough to come across a means of relation. Whether it is blues and reggae or rap and pop rock, there is music out there for everyone. Music can serve as a stabilizer for some, a relaxant to others, and to many a form of inspiration.
The First Amendment to the Bill of Rights exists because the Founders of our country understood the importance of free expression. The First Amendment states "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press . . ." (Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution 17). One of the ways the American people use this freedom of speech and expression is through the creation of the art form known as music. Music's verbal expression bonds our society through our emotions and experiences. This fundamental right of freedom of expression is being threatened by public and governmental groups who believe they have authority to monitor and decide what others should experience. The censorship of music lyrics is a violation of our First Amendment right, and public groups should not be allowed to bypass this right to censor obscene lyrics produced in the music industry.
Many bills have been passed to stop explicit messages in music from getting out. Censorship limits the amount of lyrics that get out to the community about violence. (History of Music Censorship) It may also limit anything in music that a community might find offensive to its values or beliefs. The lyrics presented in some songs are not appropriate for young adults. Some say music censorship goes against the First Amendment. It stops artists from expressing how they may feel. The profit on albums often goes down because of censorship. Censorship constantly targets rap and hip hop, and they are usually hit the hardest. (Forms of Music Censorship)
Music censorship has been a major problem plaguing America for over fifty years. In 1957, Elvis Pressley was only allowed to be filmed from the waist up on the Ed Sullivan show (Nuzum 1). Plenty of controversy has taken places between then and now, but more recently it has become much more prominent in the media, and people and organizations are beginning to actually take a stand. For example, Island Records (owned by Disney) dropped the Insane Clown Posse just after their release of The Great Milenko and MTV actually refused to play Madonna's video for Justify My Love because it was considered too sexually explicit (Nuzum 1).
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
Not only do the customers suffer by having parental bans on their favorite music, but the musicians suffer as well. The musicians are betrayed by their own labels, which are there to support them, not harm them. The world of music is basically a collage of the artist's thoughts, so banning what they write is a violation of their freedom of speech (Crowley, 1). One of those artists, a three time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow released her self-titled album to her many awaiting fans in 1996. When her fans went to their local Wal-Mart to obtain a copy of her album, they were denied the purchase of the album because of the contents in the lyrics (Family-Friendly, 76). Wal-Mart said the lyrics were offensive and argued that Crow, and her record label change the offensive lyrics (Family-Friendly, 76). When Crow and her label refused to change the lyrics; Wal-Mart and many other large-retail stores refused to sell her album. (Family-Friendly, 76). Not only has censorship affected Crow, but also other artists who refuse to change their lyrics because ultimately it affects their financial
“Music is uniquely wonderful. It is incapable of being touched yet it touches everyone who is capable of hear sounds. It can seemingly evoke any emotion; we instinctively respond to happy tunes, mournful songs, beautiful melodies, inspiring anthems, stirring hymns, and majestic orchestrations.” (Doolan, Robert. 1985) There is no question that music is great part of society; it has been at civilization’s side whether it be the lyres and flutes of the ancient Greeks or how it calms or excites emotions and keeps armies in order during battle. Within society, there has also been social unrest and the desire for change. Protesting is the expression of a society’s concerns on current events of which they feel affected by whether it be through public rallies, picketing, riots or even bombings. Protest through music is one powerful medium for engaging people. Amidst what life throws at individuals, music has comforted the soul, provoked individualistic thought and opinion, and music draws people together through groups alike who have the same attachment or concerns with their surroundings. Whether it be rock, jazz, blues, rap, hip hop, dance, spiritual, or world, music has inspired artists to spill out their expression and views of society. Music is a universally effective tool of protest in generating social change and unrest as it continues to unite those with like ideas.
When possible, external retrofitting insulation is advantageous since it has many technical and structural benefits. Conditions are especially in favor of external retrofit insulation when the external walls require to be repaired or when existing walls becomes irresistible for climate changes such as rain and frost. External retrofit insulation can be placed continuously on the wall surface so that cold bridges at the floor separations and on adjoining inside walls will be eliminated. In this way the existing wall will maintain a higher temperature and will not be endangered to humidity and moisture accumulation. External retrofit insulation also has a significant importance in the sense that it does not both the inhabitants if the building with no damage of internal living
There are different types of Loft insulation that are used for different purposes. For instance, using Natural Sheep’s Wool is a good choice as it’s naturally fire retardant and produces no toxic gasses. Also, if bought correctly includes rat repellent. The next type of Loft Insulation is Dry Cellulose. Dry Cellulose is essentially recycled paper that has a mineral salt fire retardant and mold preventor sprayed on it. The most popular and efficient solution is Fiberglass insulation. It is fire retardant by nature. Fiberglass is easy to install and relatively inexpensive. In general, Loft insulation can save you up to £200 and 230kg of CO² per year!
Every human possesses some guaranteed basic freedoms and rights, whether it is the freedom of speech, or the freedom to express themselves. However, the government seems to be increasingly determined to limit these freedoms, using censorship to confine these rights that we usually take for granted. The most important facet of media in general is that it allows people to express themselves freely. In fact, this freedom of expression that music allows us is one of the primary reasons why it exists. Sadly, many of the current artists have forgotten that, but nonetheless, censorship seems to always be there to limit the expression of those who choose to place deeper messages in their songs.
...ofit. Hence, in terms of risk management Islamic banks are more reliable. In addition, with the increasing population of Muslims all over the world, and the recent economic theories proving Islamic banks’ advantages over traditional banks especially during hard times, I believe that new financial system that are based on Islamic principles will play a very important role in the near future.
Frisby, Cynthia M. "Sticks 'n' Stones May Break My Bones, But Words They Hurt Like Hell: Derogatory Words in Popular Songs." Media Report to Women 38.4 (2010): 12-18. Film & Television Literature Index with Full Text. EBSCO. Web. 15 Feb. 2011.