1960's Music Influence

Popular music in today’s day and age spins from a variety of genres, backgrounds, and cultures, holding messages, telling stories, and expressing the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of its artists through the freedom it gives them. Music has always been something that tries to persuade people’s opinions and actions; because of this, the 1960’s had some of the most influential music in America’s history. The era’s music impacted society in distinctive ways through its attacks on societal conformity, politics, and societal dissatisfactions. Music boldly exposed society to new thoughts and experiences and played a major role in the era of Social Revolution known as the Psychedelic Era.

In the 1960’s, music was used as a media outlet to communicate

Popular artists during the sixties, such as Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin, influenced people through their music and used their fame to encourage their audiences to follow in their lead and become involved in growing social movements. For instance, the rebellious baby boom generation rising into adulthood, upholding different ideals and principles than those of their parents, were further encouraged by radical songs like “Times Are Changing,” “Blowin’ In The Wind,” and “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” all by Bob Dylan, which rejected respectable norms and encouraged the upholding of counterculture and morality. Hailed as "the voice of a generation," through his use of music, Bob Dylan helped the protest era reach “a new mass audience” (The Politics of Bob Dylan). His songs, and many others, exposed the public to the signs of racism and hatred apparent in society, and encouraged audiences to seek change. The rise of female artists and girl groups during the period also influenced the public, establishing a new “feminine form of representation and unity” among women (Cyrus 174, 176). Artists like Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, and Tina Turner rose above societal norms and embraced their sexuality and strength as women, hoping to spread a sphere of influence breaking away from societal boundaries set for women. Having a similar effect as anti-war songs, the music and presence of female musicians in American society drove more attention and activism toward the era’s Women’s Movement. The psychedelic music era brought Americans together, fighting for the end of inequality, war, and social dissatisfactions. Through music, many artists inspired a quest for peace among Americans, and a transition away from the old conformist ideals that made-up the