I remember my Mom driving me to elementary each morning and listening to "oldies 94.1." At the time I was probably uninterested with what was on the radio and not looking forward to going to school. As the grade-school years went by, I slowly started to catch on to the Motown classics that would play every morning for the short 5 minute drive to my elementary school. When 6th grade came along, I would be able to sing along with my Mom to the great classics and looked forward to listening to them with her. Because of listening to this genre of music in the car with my Mom, I grew to love one specific band; The Temptations. The Temptations were one of the poster childs for the Detroit-based Motown Records. The Temptations were known for their 5 man style singing, distinct choreography, flashy on-stage suits, and smooth romantic lyrics. In the 1960's when the band was pieced together, the Temptations created a sound that helped pioneer soul music. In a time when segregation and racism were still a real threat, especially in the south, The Temptations sought to bring people together with their music. Not only were they popular among the young African American audience, but started to grow on the young white audience as well. Some parents viewed this type of music and dance as too racy, so they tried to prohibit their children from attending The Temptations' tour. When the band first became recognized nationally with hits such as; "The Way You Do the Things You Do," and "My Girl," they begun to tour in the South, even though they were highly advised not to do so. At first, a rope would be drawn out right down the middle of the crowd-separating blacks from whites. Each groups would enjoy the music but separated by a rope. As the years went by and the band continued its success among both young black and white teens, those ropes were lifted between the two groups. Both would intermingle during the concerts. After time, The Temptations did their small part with their music to help lift the bands of segregation in the south.
Music can move people (no pun intended). Even in our lifetimes we have seen music be at the head of protest, trying to make something change for the better in our world. Many people listen to music to be inspired and motivated, and many musicians write and play music to inspire others. The Temptations are just one example of using music to influence others for a certain purpose. I wonder, how are we influenced by the music we listen to? Does it make us want to be better or do better things? Music is powerful. Not only will it want to make us move and dance, but it will move us to act.
My questions to you are; can you think of an example where music influenced someone (or a group of people) to do something for the better in the world? What influence has music had on your life? What types of music have what kind of effect on you (negative or positive)?
20 comments:
I feel that music can be a great motivator. How often do you hear people listen to hip-hop or some other type of upbeat music while they work out. If music has not effect then why not listen to jack johnson, bon iver, or sunjan stevens.
Also a way music has made a positive impact is through benefit concerts, We are the world, and What's going on?. all raised money for good causes.
I have noticed when people start subtly allowing more and more vulgar language into their music, they start speaking that way as well. Sometimes we can find ourselves letting words slip because we’re so use to hearing them. The music we listen to often creates certain moods and makes us feel and act differently than what we’d normally do.
I remember days in Jr. High and High School when a lot of kids had a hard time knowing how to cope with problems going on in their homes such as their parents going through a divorce. At this time when kids are still trying to figure out who they are and what life is about I believe listening to music was a way for them to cope. These kids identified with certain songs that seemed to address how they felt--It was a sort of outlet through which they could cope with what they were feeling.
As a response to your question, I immediately remembered John Lennon's "Immagine" where he sings about a future world without war, conflict or hunger. I don't know if you can measure in a concrete manner how much songs like these influenced people, but I believe they have some effect. I don't know if I can really answer your question about music inspring someone to a "good" as what is "good" is different to different people. Perhaps music that enlightens, uplifts, and edifys people can be said to produce some "good" but I don't really think its possible to define a single genre that does this, as many types of music can produce these feelings.
I think when it comes to being inspired by music, or even just relating to it on a personal level, I am influenced more by music written by the artist themselves. If I know they wrote it, I feel more connected to them and can relate their words to my life. I think these days songs have become less inspiring as opposed to just being popular. There are a few that have become anthems for change, but I don't think popular songs that everyone loves like "Party in the USA" really do anything but get people excited to dance when they hear them come on at a party. Despite the fact that most songs just become popular, I do think that songs like Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" can become popular while still sending out an important message.
I do believe that music can change your life, but my point is less overreaching. I think that music changes your life in little ways everyday. Listening to certain types of music may lead you to feel more restless, excited, longing for love, etc.
I think that there are always instances where music can motivate people or influence their mood. Artists frequently do benefit concerts after natural disasters, or participate in rallies for specific causes. In these instances they are using their music to try and motivate people to do something, and many times they are pretty effective. On a smaller scale, I think that the music we listen to definitely influences our thoughts and even our actions.
I think that there are so many times that music has been a force for positive change, such as mentioned before the We are the world series, as well as many others. I could go on forever about how much I love music and the influence it can have on people. That is why the Church councils against bad music, because it affects the way you think and do things.
I do not feel that music is all that much of a motivator. When listening to music I don't get random urges to change my life or do anything differently. A song might give me a quick burst of energy or prompt me to poorly chime along, but it won't make me randomly love or hate a racial group.
The artists and bands can advocate different things or push for change, but the music in and of itself does nothing to make real changes.
What dutiful boy scout doesn't remember singing songs by the campfire? Something like that leaves an impact on the soul, not just because of the atmosphere, but because of the music as well. It plays a large part in the way we interact with each other and the world.
I definitely think songs have influences on society and movements. During the Vietnam Era, there was a song by the band Buffalo Springfield called, "For What It's Worth". It became a statement piece for anti-war and called for human rights. Some music definitely inspires to do good, like Mormon Tabernacle Choir, for example. Things are always influencing us for better or for worse, so we should always be aware of what we allow ourselves to listen to.
Music has provided me with many different outlets in my life. Like other people have mentioned, I turned to music depending on activities or moods. I listen to classical music when I am falling asleep, I listen to hip hop when I am running or working out, I listen to Jack Johnson in the summertime, etc... All these experiences are postive because of the music I choose. i can understand how music could have a negative influence on people who choose negative music with degrading messages.
I always think of Michael Jackson's "man in the mirror" when I think about music influencing people to change the world for the better. I don't really know if I have been really affected by the music I listen too. I love music but I'm still my own person. I suppose certain lyrics can have a good or negative effect on my thoughts depending on their nature.
One of the ways we would motivate missionaries in our training meetings was to use the music of the church - often the missionary songs. We did so because the music and the lyrics were inspiring, and often invited the spirit into our meetings. I remember many times both hearing and using such songs, which motivated both me and those missionaries around me. Music does affect our thoughts and actions now, just as it has in the past.
Music can definatly bring people together. My parent and I have bonded at a U2 concert. I have certain friends that I've made through our similar music taste.
I can't think of a specific time when music motivated the masses to make a change. I do think certain songs inspire individuals though, and that music can be very powerful like you said. I know there is nothing better to me than when an artist can put into words exactly how I am feeling and I can relate to that song perfectly.
I can't think of an example where music moved someone to action, but I think music has an impact on everyone's lives. I sang in choir in high school and that's where I really developed a love for music of all different genres. I think choral music had a really positive influence on my life for this reason.
Music has given me the motivation to do lots of things in life, from getting amped to play in a ball game, to giving me peace when I needed it. Music, just like many types of media can be used to inspire and uplift us. However, it can also be used to destroy and bring us down spiritually. You need to choose your music carefully or else it can have a negative impact on your life. Choosing good music can make all the difference in motivating you to reach out and make a difference in the world. I believe that music truly does have that power.
i definitely think that music has an effect on us. whether we realize it or not it does influence us in some way. just like in church, i feel like the whole mood and tone of the meeting is changed when there is a really good musical number.
Music is a huge part of my life. As a child it brought my mother and I together. And though all of her other children grew up and moved on to find their own musical niche, I stayed. I love the old classics. And because I can appreciate the old stuff as well as the new stuff it has really helped me to connect with a large variety of people.
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