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Music culture of the 60s
Impact of rock and roll in the sixties
Rock and roll in the 1960s essay
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The Who, a band defined by their destructive stage performances and appeal to the rock ‘n’ roll scene of the 1960’s, revolutionized the music world with their hit “My Generation” in the fall of 1965 (Erlewine). The four band members, Pete Townshend, Rodger Daltrey, John Entwistle, and Keith Moon, took the world by storm with the song as it appealed to the younger population and defiantly projected hatred towards the old and wise (Greene, Simon, and Schuster). “My Generation” was a call to the conservative adults of the 1960’s that traditional principles were of the past, and the vibrant, young aged had arrived and were there to stay (Shmoop Editorial Team). The well-known track, full of funk and liveliness, begins with a brief two chord beat Listeners can immediately recognize the low, deep screech of Townshend’s voice as the core of the song. As he belts out what seem to be rhythmic, artless words, a look deeper shows the complexity behind it all. These melodic lyrics contain confrontational messages while creating an unforgettable anthem for the teenage population. Exhilaration runs through the veins of the lyrics sung by Townshend, creating a feeling of excitement. It encourages listeners to cave in to their urge to jump up and down along with the beat of the music, in only a way rock ‘n’ roll music can. The higher-pitched vocals that sing Talkin’ bout my generation give listeners a break from the commanding voice of Townshend. They are sweet and upbeat in a way that is appealing to the young and repelling to the old. This sense of youthfulness and urgency within the lyrics gives young listeners a sense of power and makes them proud to be defiant towards the values their parents have forced upon them. The tune, while staying buoyant, evokes fury and rebellion, which is exactly The Who’s intended goal
In the song You Gotta Fight for Your Right to Party! ), the guitar, and drums are clearly heard especially on off beats of the rap lyrics. The album has a very upbeat sound in general with some more traditional rock and roll guitar chords, but the rap lyrics is what made this album the first of its kind. The song "You gotta Fight for Your Right to Party" was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 songs that shaped rock n roll. (Rolling Stones) Daniella Kohavy points out how in “Rhymin’ And Stealin,” the first track on the album, samples Led Zeppelin, The Clash, and Black Sabbath; the epitomes of rock and punk rock”.
This along with many other things had opened up the youths’ eyes about a near perfect generation and about love. Each generation after the 1960’s has been compared to that generation. Most generations are trying to rekindle those feelings brought around by the 1960’s. Unluckily it has brought around a resurgence of those hard drugs that remain prevalent in the 21st century now. The music has also had a resurgence that has brought around the Grateful Dead and bands influenced by them like Phish, Moe, and Acoustic Hooka. All generations wish to strive to be more like that age when things seemed golden or was it a flashback?
Have you ever wanted to make your own decisions without your mum telling you what to do? I know I have. Have you ever wanted more freedom? Of course! Have you ever felt that you had to belong in a specific group? Or feel like you don’t belong in a certain group? Well, that’s completely normal. We’re all going through adolescence now. Through the time between childhood and adulthood, from ages 12 to 18, where we become more rebellious and we grow emotionally and physically. This change is adolescence. Now, ‘Guitar Highway Rose’, written by Brigid Lowry explores belonging and rebellion, perfect examples of adolescent issues. ‘Mean Girls’ directed by Mark Waters also conveys the same themes, showing the importance of truth, respect and trust.
Although the style of ‘Rock music’ is easily adaptable to many different sounds, it is still thoroughly identified by its definingly amplified rhythm. The sudden worldwide popularity of rock and roll resulted in an unparalleled social impact. Rock ‘n’ Roll influenced lifestyles, fashion, attitudes, and language in a way few other social developments have equaled. The social impact is so large that rock stars are worshipped worldwide. In its early years, many adults condemned the style of music, placing a stigma on its name, and forbid their children from listening and following its ways.
Here, they rid themselves of average, familial and school-age problems and bask in the glory of teenagerdom, drinking from their Holy Grail of liberty. Here, listening to “the music that made everything so good” (2), they finally taste the maturity they yearn for.
The 1950s and the 1960s had many similarities, though they had many differences as well. Their similarities and differences include: the politics, the economy, the society, and the culture of both decades. In the 1950s, North Korea moved into South Korea and began a civil war between the two parallel countries. The reason for this dispute was the border lines as well as guerrilla fighting in the South, which created a greater tension on the issue. The reason why the U.S entered the Korean War was so that the Soviet Union would not gain another nation and, in turn, more power. Like the 50s, our country was also at war with another country in the 60s. This time, the U.S was at war with Vietnam. The U.S entered the war because the Vietnamese were known as an evil nation in the eyes of the American people. Communism was considered an immediate threat to the U.S in both Korea and in Vietnam. The president wanted to block the path of Communism so that it would not affect America or any of her allies. America was able to stop the Communism spreading in Korea. However, our country was not able to stop the Communism in Vietnam. The violence became so horrible, that the troops eventually had to move out of the country.
Have you ever considered what would have become of this country if J. Edgar Hoover never became FBI director during the 30s? All those American flags you see could have been the flag of the Soviet Union, or the mob and other criminal organizations would have threatened the public to this day if President Coolidge had never appointed Hoover as FBI director. Hoover also helped in the fight against Hitler and the Nazis during WWII. He used spies, double-agents, and techniques such as wire tapping to keep tabs on America's enemies or possible enemies. J. Edgar Hoover played an integral role in riding many of America's enemies such as: criminal organizations, the Nazis, and the country's greatest enemy in the 1900s : the USSR
Post World War II there was a new generation known as the “baby boom” generation. The arrival of this new generation called for new entertainment (Rock and Roll). Music of the 1960s was the new entertainment for the baby boom generation and impacted America by: starting new trends in genres of music, opening diversity of artists, counterculture movements, and music festivals.
The 1960’s. A time when many events arose and occurred. One particular movement, which many people referred to as a culture, had the name that most know of as hippies. They rejected mainstream life style and displayed love and peace, they were also known as “Flower Children” (Flower Child). Hippies created anti-war movements in the 1960‘s and maintained these movements for a long stretch in time. For as long as hippies lasted through America’s history, they did not inspire the youth during the hippie generation(1960-1970). Hippies did not embolden youthful people in a positive way. They conducted many experiments that effected the young immensely. Hippies did not galvanize the nation because of their lack of control over drug use, their laziness, and their access to free love.
The ‘60s were the age of youth, as millions of children’s from post World War II became teenagers and rebelled against the conservative fifties. Denying civil rights to African-Americans and liberation to teenagers in previous decades and Vietnam War, created a vortexes which lead to massive rebellion against the status qua. Music of the 1960s was characteristic of the revolution that was going on during the decade. It was a time of rebellion and counter-culture in which the teenagers and college students were critical of government, business, religious institution and other various aspects of life. Era marked by civil rights movement, Vietnam War, environment of drug abuse and sexual freedom formed new music like: folk rock, soul and psychedelic rock. These genres starkly contrast the teen idol music of ‘50s pop mainstream. Writes John Covach; “World was exploding, and rock musicians were listening more closely than ever.”(Covach, 152) Such stark contrast in pop music directly relay to changing social culture in America, which further echo’s the relationship between music and culture.
In closing, the undoubtable influence of music, more specifically of Rock ‘n’ Roll on American society is responsible for a number of changes to the status quo. These range from sexual liberation and racial desegregation all culminating with other influences to create an intergenerational identity. Despite the desperate attempts of older generations to smother these influences, these changes ultimately shaped the years that followed, molding the country into what it is today. Along the way these changes as well as individual involvement in them has also eased the lives of many through empowerment and a feeling of community and purpose. Despite a lull and renewal Rock ‘n’ Roll continues to serve as an agent of influence and change in today’s youth culture and continues to burn in the heart of past generations of loyal fans.
In conclusion this report has helped us understand the significance of Music in America. Also, the impact it has on music we listen too. Music is very much like a big chain reaction. Rock ‘N’ Roll, much like music today, stood out and was in a way rebellious. Parents now hate Rap and we love it. People in the 70’s loved Rock ‘N’ Roll and parents hated it. This shows that maybe no matter how much older people deny it, the time gap and generation gap is not too far apart. Without Rock ‘N’ Roll the World would without a doubt be changed. Any guess to that of which way would be a good one.
This song implies that individual’s are violating the norms and values of society. They start the song with a verse that expresses this concern. “What’s wrong with the world, mama/ People livin’ like they ain’t got no mamas…” (lines 1-2). This makes one aware of the disobedience of values that are held in the family. Values are “standard[s] of judgment by which people decide on desirable goals and outcomes.” (Newman, 32) Another verse in this song that illustrates how society is defying norms and values is when they sing: “People killin', people dyin'/ Children hurt and you hear them cryin/ Can you practice what you preach/ And would you turn the other cheek…” (lines 50-53). These lines utter that society has failed to act in a sane and coherent way that society once viewed as correct. The actions affirm that individuals are not living up to society’s norms. Norms are similar to “rules of conduct” and suggest how an individual “should” act. (Newman, 34) In the song they question the acts that would be taken that violate certain norms. Another example of the infringement of society’s norms and values is expressed when the s...
The 1950s are characterized as a decade marked by the Cold War and social conformity. It is hard to generalize the lives of millions of Americans, but the values of Americans in the fifties were shaped by two major events: the Great Depression and World War II. After a period of war and poverty conforming to a suburban way of life was a dream come true for Americans.
“People today are still living off the table scraps of the sixties. They are still being passed around- the music and the ideas” - Bob Dylan (1992)