Does Music Divide People? Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, an American poet and educator during the 1800’s once said “Music is the universal language of mankind” and I believe he was right, because no matter what languages are being spoken, music can create moods and emotions which can be shared with other people, due to music permeating language barriers. Music has always had an important role in society. It has been used for enjoyment, but also to get feelings and emotions across. Some might say there is a song for everything, and it would be fairly difficult to disagree with this, as songwriters feel the same emotions as their listeners do, write songs about these emotions, produce them, and then let their listeners listen to the song and share the emotion expressed through the lyrics. Music has a very strong effect on people and can form its own sub-cultures just through bringing together the people who like a certain type of music. However, these sub-cultures have the power to divide the listeners by separating them into the genres of music they like, and making them separate from those who have a different taste in music. An example of this would be in the late 1960’s, when there were many different types of music, and people could be classed into a certain political group with its own stereotypes very easily just by the type of music that they preferred to listen to. The main, and most severely contrasting groups were the ‘punks’ and the ‘hippies’. The punks listened to punk music (even the name of the group came from the music they listened to), with different genres within it, such as garage rock, which was the original punk rock, originating from the underground parts of London, to combat what was seen as superficial ... ... middle of paper ... ... personally experienced sexism and belittlement because of their gender. The music gave them something to believe in, and feel part of, whereas they previously felt like outcasts for not wanting to conform to the preppy, all-American, ‘life-is-easier-if-you’re-pretty’ lifestyle that the media targeted American youths with. I still believe that music divides people, because the divide is obvious in past culture, and still is in today’s culture. Music enables every culture to have their own distinct voice, separating them from different cultures. Even outside the cultural part of music, people naturally create divides between themselves and those who prefer a different type of music. Music affects people in different ways, simply because people themselves are diverse, and therefore interpret the music lyrics differently and take their own message from the song.
Artists write about what they know; they pull feelings from their heart and their songs relay what the artists’ emotions, whether it be of their hometown, their high school crush, or their experiences. Many artists that came to fame during the twentieth century have a fair share of experiences they share with us in the form of their songs. The twentieth century is comprised of the institution of slavery and its effects, war, gender norms, discrimination based on nationality, sex, race, etc., and countless events that sparked protests and uproars in the United States. Music at this time was a phenomenon, and artists could use it to their advantage. Artists used their music to spread awareness about their cause, influence their listeners, and
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.
...50’s was a time that was primed for change. There were drastic social transformations happening. The people knew they were living in a tumultuous time. Changes were being noted and discussed. This cultural revolution pushed aside all the previous notions of popular music, blended black and white music traditions and sound, and integrated black performers into the musical stardom, all in a whirlwind of historical occurrences. It created music that still lives on to this day. It has inspired a people and influenced a nation. In comparison to other social influences of the twentieth century it stands alone. This revolution influenced and continues to influence American popular culture, this revolution lovingly and passionately known as Rock and Roll.
...r going to the Alan Freed concerts that hosted integrated performers and audiences. The styles that many artists composed gave teenagers a way to express themselves and define themselves. Lastly, rock and roll was a source of news for teenagers. Folk songs included lyrics about events happening at the time and the songs either protested the events or gave listeners a way to feel secure. Rock and roll is a part of United States history. Without it we still may be a desegregated society today, or teenagers would not know how to relate to music or express themselves. Rock and roll had a wide impact on teenagers and the evolution of society because the baby boomer population played a role in creating the world we know today. There are negatives to every new invention but rock and roll’s impact had an overall positive effect on the teenagers who grew up listening to it.
Music is an art and a wonderful gift to human race. It soothes, stimulates and makes us feel happy. It affects our moods in many different ways from lullaby to war cry for changes in the society. Music is actually distinct to different people. Above all, it has a transformational importance that is captured in its art and nature. Music draws our emotions and it has an impact of bridging different cultures across the continents. Slave songs were very vital channels through which all kind of information was conveyed both positive and negative.
As I began my research on music and how it impacted the world, I came along an article that really caught my attention. It made more sense to the question I asked myself. According to the Global Citizen and the article Music that has change the world. The article stated that maybe music didn’t impacted the world, perhaps the people (Musicians) was the reason why music impacted the world. As I kept reading, Christina Nunez the one who wrote the article, stated that music makes us see thing deferentially. Not only that, Nunez also stated that music is a general dialectal that all of us comprehend. Which I agree with because music is one of the keys that bring us together whether we like it or not.
The role of music helps us in our lives through soul or unity. Music in our religion and country brings people together by having the same similarities. For example, each country has their own national anthem that all citizens of that country should know and be proud to sing. While different religions have the same songs worldwide which connects and unifies everyone within that religion. Furthermore, songs for the soul are songs through entertainment or rest. Everyone listens to songs that relate to them or they enjoy.
Ever since humans first learned how to make music with their voices and with instruments thousands of years ago, music has been changing. Some changes took place over hundreds or even thousands of years, stunted by human isolation or by guidelines set in place by religious institutions. The 20th century, in contrast, experienced several rapid, radical changes in the popular genres of music. This made the 20th century a very rich time period for musical culture. These remarkable genres--including, but not limited to jazz, rock and roll, and the music of the “British invasion”--all influenced one another, and all influenced the culture we still live in today.
I have always believed that a musician writes music to express his/her emotions, thoughts, and beliefs in a way that can be both hidden and quite apparent to their listeners at the same time. It can be viewed as a release or a medium through which to share an experience. These artists attempt to relate to their listeners and even hope to provide the listener with the words to express their own feelings. Music has proven to be a very important part of society, both past and present, for just this reason: expression. This medium of expression becomes even more important when the feelings being expressed are those which are not easily accepted by society.
Since the earliest days of human civilization music has been a key tool for communication of stories which carried emotions through them. If we think back to our youngest years of life music has surrounded us whether it was from our parents singing us lullabies or from some sort of toy that played music we can say that musical melodies have helped shape or lives one way or another. Once we start growing up and figuring out who we are our musical preferences change; some people like classical and some like punk. We start to befriend people who like the same music as us and eventually we may attend a musical event. Our lives somewhat revolve around the music that we listen to.
Initially, music is powerful because it is able to connect a group of people. People of all different races and ethnicities could come together and enjoy a musical experience based on their similar styles instead of the pigment in their
Music plays a huge role in the structure of a society. It can have both negative and positive influence on cultures and communities. First, musical sounds and instruments can be a dividing factor between the people within the same culture. These opposing social and economic identities within these cultures can lead unnecessary animosity between the members. However, music can also be one of the forces that unite members of a culture and provide a sense pride for everyone. This makes it easier for people to display their identification to that culture.
Music is one of the most powerful and influential language which to many people in
Music is a universal language because it is found everywhere in the world and it is a language of its own. Merriam Dictionary defines literacy as “a person who can read and write.” In this definition this shows that in order for somebody to be called literate they must be able to read and write a language. Well most people consider “English, Chinese, French, Spanish etc.” as official languages but does not consider music as a language. In order to master any language a person must be literate which requires them to master a set of rules. It is interesting to know from taking World Music class that in order for students to listen and appreciat...
The influence that music has throughout the world is immeasurable. Music evokes many feelings, surfaces old memories, and creates new ones all while satisfying a sense of human emotion. With the ability to help identify a culture, as well as educate countries about other cultures, music also provides for a sense of knowledge. Music can be a tool for many things: relaxation, stimulation and communication. But at the same time it can also be a tool for resistance: against parents, against police against power. Within the reign of imported culture, cross cultivation and the creation of the so-called global village lies the need to expand horizons to engulf more than just what you see everyday. It is important to note that the role of music in today’s world is a key tool in the process of globalization. However, this does not necessarily provide us with any reasons that would make us believe that music has a homogenizing affect on the world.