Power Of Music In The 1960s

Music has a dynamic ability of influencing emotions, from mood regulation to rumination and self-expression. The presence of political and social messages in popular music is frequently seen across cultures, in particular focusing on social issues and racism (Back, 2000, 127). This paper attempted to explore the political and social messages in popular music, more specifically it investigated the relationship between Soul music and civil rights movements in the United States.

The Sixties were an exciting revolutionary period of time with great social and technological change. Some people called it the “decade of discontent” because of the race riots in Detroit and La, and the demonstrations against the Vietnam War. Other people called it the decade of “peace, love, and harmony”. It was called this because of the peace movement and the emergence of the flower children. (Britannica) The sixties were about assassination, unforgettable fashion, new styles of music, civil rights, gay and women’s liberation, Vietnam, Neil Armstrong landing on the moon, peace marches, sexual freedom, drug experimentation, and Woodstock. All of these components caused a revolutionary change in the world of popular Music.

All cultures following prehistory had a musical background, therefore everyone can connect more effectively with a music containing a message than a speech, therefore spreading the message more effectively. “The freedom songs are playing a strong and vital role in our struggle” (MLK). In the case of the Civil Rights Movement, it was the prominent method to give the group a voice, represent them, and highlight their determination for social change. When times were hard for the movement, they would also rely on songs to sustain morale:

“People today are still living off the table scraps of the sixties. They are still being passed around - the music and the ideas.” This was pronounced by Bob Dylan, a folk musician of the sixties: an era in which the music heavily influenced the culture of the time and continues to influence the music and culture today. The music and artists of the 60s influenced radio and television, the music, fashion and lifestyles of the people, particularly youth, heavily influenced the popular culture Australia, USA, Britain and other Western Countries.

For example, “ I feel like I'm fixing to die” a song by Country Joe and The Fish, 1965, was one of the popular protest songs. The song was an anti-war song that drew people's attention to the point that the war was a bad idea. The author includes antiwar lyrics like “Whoopee! We’re all gonna die” and “Be the first one on your block, to have your boy come home in a box.” people hearing lyrics like that made them rethink their kids going into war as it seemed like they were going just to die and come home in boxes.

Through songs many people express their feelings of the world threw the words they have wrote. Many songs talk about civil rights of the people and how change should be an option. In the world we live in today we have social issues that people have to face such as: police brutality, racial profiling, discrimination etc. Through Kendrick Lamar, Public Enemy, The Game, Bebe Winans, and N.W.A they will use their voice as a weapon for change among all people. Music with a message thrives in a live setting, for obvious reasons, and many politically conscious musicians aim to channel the heightened emotions

The War Between the States was complex. If you wish to understand the events, you should refer to a textbook. Music of the time, however, helps us delve into people’s thoughts and opinions on the war, slavery, and many other important issues in our country’s history. Prior to the civil war, American music followed its European roots. During the civil war, American music began to develop in its own way, largely influenced by the music of the African-Americans. The war produced many well-known songs. These songs were important in their time and they are still known to many people today.

The 1960’s were a time of huge changes in society, fashion, and music. Music in the 60’s reflected the sound and style of artists in the 50’s such as Elvis Presley and Ray Charles, and stayed like this for 3 years. In 1963 social influences changed what popular music was and gave birth to the diversity that we hear in out music today, 56 years later. The music changed because of JFK’s assassination, the Vietnam War, and the

The most celebrated freedom song is “we shall overcome”. Which was made by tobacco workers, who performed the song for Zilphia Horton of the highlander folk school which had an important biracial training ground for activists interested in labor organizing and progressive democratic reform in the south This song was basically brought up to an unofficial anthem for the movement which was about hybrid nature and improvisational which was not just for the African American musical culture, but also of the movement itself. The song gave a spiritual energy moral and constitutional authority, and a valiant attempt at strategic planning, it was ultimately to be more concerned and aware with dogmatic notions of ideological or tactical correctness than

Especially in a time when there is a conflict with another country, one must need music to help meditate and get through these times of crises. Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water is a good example of a music that helps soothes the soul:

Freedom songs were a key element to the development of the Civil Rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s. During mass meetings, marches, and violent confrontations, music offered an outlet for people to express their emotions and a place to draw courage from. The ability of songs to draw together communities in order to build morale and support for the movement, while reaffirming the need for a nonviolent Movement in America during this period of time, profoundly contributed to the development of protest movements across the nation. However, though freedom songs appeared in many in styles during the 1960s, with songs such as “We Shall Overcome” and those associated with Black Power like “Mississippi Goddamn” appearing in the same period, the

The 1967 song by Bob Dylan, “All Along the Watchtower”, is a great example as in just a few verses he manages to “identify the primary issues of [the time] as one of values” (Bowie). The song brings about ideas thought of by modern writers, such as Ken Wilber, who state that “everything is seen as neutral, and devoid of value”. In Dylan’s previous songs he talks endlessly of how the government misunderstands the significance of issues like war, freedom and proverty; however, in this song he takes a very different approach and “reduces confrontation to its essential element: human values against the established order”(Bowie). In simpler terms, the song is enforcing the importance to remember the past historical mistakes and not to allow them to reoccur- that we must put the values of human rights over those put in place by the government and push towards change. The song begins by throwing the listener into a conversation that seems to be urgent- “There must be some kind of way out of here-said the joker to the thief”.

Delivering impactful and powerful social messages has not always been as prevalent in popular music as it is today. In fact, before the 1960s, it was frowned upon for popular musicians to put political or social messages into their work. The consensus belief was that popular music should be something people listen to in order to get away from the world’s issues. Once a shift in attitude occurred, primarily due to the counterculture of the 1960s, several of the musicians we deem legendary today, like Bob Marley and John Lennon, put brutal social commentary into plenty of their material. With this being said, what better way is there to accentuate a song’s lyrical message than creating an equally impactful music video?

Paint it Black From rap to rock people always can find a deeper meaning in music. Whether it is taking out an inspirational message or consolation there always seems to be more. So it came as no surprise to people when the war came, it was found in almost every song. People fell in love with the relatable lyrics and even began to idolize the people that sang them, but is it enough for people to change political views?

Famous music composer, Ludwig van Beethoven once rightly quoted “Music is a higher revelation than philosophy”. Indeed, music has higher magnitude than just being a mere form of entertainment- it plays a significant role in our society be it politics or religion or even academics. So important is music’s value that it has been recorded throughout history of mankind in numerous ancient writings including the sacred Hindu scripture, Veda. Thus it is no surprise that even today the value and contribution of music has not declined but on the contrary, risen.