Theme and Symbolism in American Music Essay

Music has had an influence on society from the very beginning of musical history. The message portrayed in each genre is based on what society perceives and wants to listen. Musicians often times produce music that sells and this sometimes are only beneficial to their pockets and in turn creates havoc in society. People interpret music differently and this causes them to react a certain way to different

As has been said many times over, songs are a reflection of society. They give insight into feelings, moods, historical changes, and the overall atmosphere of the society. Our American society is diverse and so too is our music. There are many genres of music and there were many evolutions to create those genres. Further, what happens in society, the historical changes, also effect those changes.

For as long as mankind has walked on this earth, music has been an important part of our culture and lifestyles. Each walk of life beats to a different drum. Different cultures use music for many aspects of their lives; for religious purposes, for celebrations, for comfort, for sorrow, for relaxation, for sports, for dances, for energy, for learning, for sleeping, and for sexual experiences. Everyone uses music for something. Music connects with people and reaches them in ways that words simply cannot. Music is a representation of what feelings sound like. It expresses emotion and brings that characteristic out from within us; it tells us a story. Every generation has its’ own sound and different music styles have emerged and become

Some may say music is just music; a song is just a song. However, music plays an enormous role in our psychology, because a single song has the ability to bring about many kinds of thoughts and emotions in the listener. Music is subtly one of the main factors in which people identify with certain groups and establish their belonging in society. It shapes people’s perspectives on how the world functions and the roles they play within it. Music can function the same way in a culture; it can reflect many of the culture’s values and ideologies. Music can have many effects on culture and the people’s idea of who they think they are within that culture. Music can serve in a way that promotes cultural identity and pride, yet it could also play a

Music is a common thread and form of expression throughout all cultures. In every country the world over you will find a different style or genre of music with a unique sound. Each original style stems from the different kinds people and their cultures. The music industry has a major influence in our society. As of 2014, America had the world’s largest music market with a retail value of almost 5,000.5 million dollars, and it continues to grow.

Each song and each genre has meaning, and that meaning doesn’t necessarily have to be incredibly significant for the music to have value. At its core, music is a vehicle for the expression of culture. Each genre or style of music represents different beliefs and different communities. When I listen to a song, I feel as if I’m having a conversation with the artist, where they tell me all about their way of life. This is what makes music powerful. A song can take me to places and time periods I would never be able to see in real life. In music, I experience a separate side of the exchange of ideas that I’ve come to love through Youth in Government and

Some people found a new source of identity, turning to religion. Some songs have a religious tone to them like “Let the Redemption come”. Pieces started to have double meanings. The piece that struck a chord with me was “My boy, where are you going? Sweetheart, it’s all over”. In one sense it could be saying something about a bad breakup or that two people have been forcefully separated after one is transported away. By grouping so many people from so many backgrounds, cultures, and languages, music was even more so a unifying thing as people united under a local or national song to affirm themselves to their home.

Do you ever wonder what is the meaning behind what you so proudly sing whenever you hear it? Music is an art form of culture which organizes sound with times It first came around in prehistoric times, however, as times passes, music is drastically changing. As a result, in the last decades music has experienced drastic changes in the themes they are talking about. These changes are due to the generations and what they are living, political and social actions of the time. For example, the decade of the 80s was the rise of hip-hop and rap music from a local phenomenon to a worldwide known genre of music. Previously, a crack cocaine epidemic had stroke major cities in the USA and it coincided with the rise of hip-hop in black communities as these

Stories are told everywhere and anywhere. They express sadness, anger, bliss, and an endless amount of emotions. They speak to all of whom read them. Those who read these stories may interpret what they read in an innumerable amount of ways. Not only are stories interpreted in various ways, but also they are told using different techniques. Stories can be told through plays, pictures, movies, books, and also songs. In culture today, music is what grabs more of people's attention. When an artist sings a song it can relate to many more people than if it were said through a book or play. Music has many different styles to it and always has a certain rhythm that goes along with it. A certain rhythm or beat may appeal to more people. If an artist

Music has played a vital role in human culture and evidence based on archaeological sites can date it back to prehistoric times. It can be traced through almost all civilizations in one form or another. As time has progressed so has the music and the influences it has on people. Music is an important part of popular culture throughout the world, but it is especially popular in the United States. The music industry here is, and has been, a multi-million dollar business that continues to play an important role in American popular culture. This is also a art form and business that is forever changing as the times and more importantly, technology changes. Technology has changed the way music is made as well as how it is produced,

All music has changed tremendously throughout the years. Each generation has several specific songs that defines that generation. Every song has different lyrics that describe the emotions that the artists are feeling. The songs connect to each individual in many different ways. Lyrics to a song is what makes music wonderful. Each song touches someone through ways like teaching a life lesson or touching your heart. Every generation has music that impacts the world by motivating people to do certain things or defines a person’s personality. Each generation has music that defines the generation.

In this report, I will expand upon what was spoken in the presentation by providing a more in-depth look at each section I talked about. The presentation was divided into six sections:

As it was known for the culture to build music, nowadays different kinds of music build different cultures. Thus we have Pop culture, Rock culture, Electronic music culture etc.

Music has been called the “universal language” since the early 19th century when Henry Wadsworth Longfellow called music “the universal language of mankind”. Since that time, this phrase has been illustrated in many ways by people and across cultures.

For society music plays numerous roles in every individual’s life whether that be from playing it, singing, or even just listening to it, music effects everyone in some way and is used differently in people’s lives. Music can be used for art and self-expression, amusement, relaxation, and leisure according to Aristotle’s reading “From The Politics.” Music has had many effects on society opening the doors for creativity, inspiring the youth, and even educating. Artists construct songs that talk about love, family, friendship’s, politics, and life itself. Aristotle speaks on the usage of it and how it affects the way we think and act under some circumstances. For me personally, music became a passion after learning I can express myself in an environment where I can be comfortable. In the reading, Aristotle’s points are both practical and ideological as he makes a lot of points that can be made in today’s time while also giving his own opinion on a lot of subjects. There are many definitions for good music and bad music that can potentially lead to good or bad mortality based upon the message in the song especially if there are lyrics.