Stop Music Censorship

Second of all, music should not be censored because it reduces an artist’s capability to be creative. A musician uses certain lyrics for a reason. Every lyric has some sort of meaning. Whether it be to rhyme with a subsequent phrase, or going with the flow. Regardless of its purpose, it still has value. However, creativity is not only limited to the lyrics in a song. Creativity can also be express through rhythm and tone. The downside, one can only have so much creativity than resides in the tone of a song. In the song, “Never Take Away My Freedom” it says, “Can take everything I own. You can have and sing my song. You can never take away my freedom” (David Guetta). This means that he could be stripped of everything that he owns. But his freedom can never be taken away by anyone. This holds true about music as well. Artists have the ability to create any kind of music they wish. Lyrics help surpass that limitation of creativity. An artist’s lyrics cannot and should not be contained by the power of the government. It takes time and dedication to create music. Musicians carefully

The music industry is an oligopoly. Since the late 1800’s people like Thomas Edison have been buying up patents in communication technology, forming monopolies, leading to a non-competitive entertainment industry. With only a handful of corporations controlling all aspects of acquisition, distribution and marketing of music, harsh business principles create an exploitative industry that takes the best of what artists have to offer and leaves many of them unable to support themselves. Beginning in the 1950’s with payola and white cover music and ultimately evolving into iTunes and Spotify, the music industry has grown into a billion dollar industry with far-reaching influence and control. Contracts rarely serve the artists’ best interest and many are left out to dry when their usefulness has expired.

Music containing sexually explicit content makes people in today’s world more calloused and more accepting of sexually activity. How do lyrics play a role in all of this? Lyrics play a huge role in enabling our society to normalize sex in everyday conversation. Songs with sexually explicit lyrics reinforce the idea that premarital sex is okay among younger generations. Studies show that premarital sex is more accepted by adolescents if they listen to explicit music compared those that do not listen to explicit music (Zhang, 2008).

Communication Theorists want the public protected from the lyrics that could alter there way of thinking. Cultural Studies seem to see think that the shocking aspects of entertainment are a necessary evil. Then there is Traditional Philosophy, that seem to dismiss popular culture altogether.

Musicians should be able to express themselves any way they want to. According to Freemuse.org, article ‘What is Music Censorship?’, “Music is a free expression of the ideas, traditions, and emotions of individuals and of people. The claim states that musicians should express themselves which supports the evidence because they both agree that music is a way of expression. Art is a way to express your ideas and emotions and music is a time of art. Moreover, censorship blocks the right of expressing.

It seems as if someone is always complaining about popular music on the market.  References to illegal drugs and sexual conduct are two of the most common complaints.  Adults claim that rock and roll stars are bad influences to children.  The lyrical content of songs and the examples set by musical idols are not suitable for minors.  Today's music, especially, tests the limits of good taste.  Objections to artists like Eminem, Lil' Kim, and Fred Durst are everyday occurrences, but what the judgmental public and media do not discuss is that these complaints are anything but new.  Songs by the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and the Doors have also been objects of this type of condemnation.  Even as far back as operas by Germany's

Others believe that music should not be censored because it would infringe on the artist’s right to freedom of speech, but music containing explicit lyrics should be criticized for their negative content. Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas delivered a speech to the City Club of Cleveland. In his speech he discusses how music has a major affect on youth, and how crimes among teenagers have increased greatly, since music with explicit lyrics have been out on the market. He also expresses that music should not be censored, because the artist have the right to say what they want in their lyrics, but society also had the right to criticize the explicit lyrics in their music. (1-9) The right to freedom of speech is given to all people under the bill of rights. If people weren’t allowed to speak what they felt this country would not be where it is today.

We need to be aware of what we’re watching. We need to have more common sense when listening to songs that want to get us to do bad things. Don’t fall into that trap. Don’t act like there’s nothing wrong in the industry when there clearly is. Look at Whitney Houston.

There are several ways in which art is commercialized; especially within the music industry. Classic bands such as the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan were criticized for allowing companies to use their material to sell products and services. However, this is a common avenue for a musician or an artist to profit from their works. Many companies are willing to pay a hefty premium to have their products associated with music that has broad emotional appeal to many potential consumers. However, many people feel that when an artist licenses their material it is a loss of integrity and that something is lost by the commercialization of their songs.

resource to market and sell music.  The music industry should  not have any type of

Music has been notorious for letting out emotions, and using it to express themselves. With that said, music is one of the most censored types of arts we have in our society. “Music provides a powerful form of expression that at its most basic level helps to entertain while containing the power to cause revolutions – both cultural and political. Music’s inherent power scares some people who are afraid of the powerful potential to shape attitudes and beliefs. The banning of music sets a dangerous precedent for the censorship of other forms of expression – with dangerous consequences for a free society.Why is music censored? Factors may include clashing moral values, racial motivations, generational value gaps, and fear.” - http://www.lehigh.edu/~infirst/musiccensorship.html

Music has changed a great deal since the first melody was discovered, and to this day music is still very influential . In such situation, lyrics cound potentially hold words that are not seen as clean, so do we censor any sort of bad language or let todays artist pursue what ever content they choose.

     Many people are very offended by some of the obscene lyrics in some music, however.  Music with obscene lyrics and messages are enjoying great popularity despite the fact that many, including a large number of prominent officials, find it repulsive, offensive and a bad influence.  This music has sparked great debate over what exactly the words freedom of speech entail.  The musicians and the people who listen to the music claim that freedom of speech is absolute, while others, particularly those who find the lyrics offensive, claim that it has limits.  Artists such as Ice-T, N.W.A.,and Cypress Hill have all had clashes with censorship.  N.W.A.'s music is almost entirely negative and

Copyright laws in regards to music should be repealed. The RIAA has misconstrued the perceived effects staring had on artist development and revenue, when in fact the perceived financial short-comings of downloading and peer-to-peer sharing are actually made up through concert-revenue and merchandise-revenue.

We deserve to share our opinions about music and listen to other’s opinions as well. Furthermore, the content on The Music Club manages to both celebrate and critique popular music without downplaying the genre or those who enjoy it. I also agree that conversations about topics such as racism and sexism should be discussed concerning music and the music industry. There are many questions regarding these topics that need to be answered: Do derogatory lyrics towards women impact a person’s behavior? Does musical cultural appropriation exist? And the only way we will answer these questions is by having the difficult and controversial conversations about these topics. Overall, the articles written on The Music Club have a lot of variety, celebrate popular music, and even discuss social justice. I look forward to reading