Controversial Messages within Popular Music
(And the emotions they stir up)
Group Six
EDP 101 Section C
April 23, 2008
Controversy and music are two words that you will often find in the same sentence. Weather it’s a controversial lyric, or a hidden message deep in a song, or even messages that maybe aren't so deep; music is always being poked and prodded at, searched through with a fine tooth comb to make sure what we hear is socially acceptable. When dealing with this topic we often hear about observational learning, or the act of learning as a result of watching another participant’s behavior (Davis, 2007, pp 224). Will listening to these messages have an affect on the listener’s behavior, emotions, or attitude? Where is the line drawn between what is acceptable and what isn’t? Who decides where that line is drawn? These controversial messages are not just stuck in one genre of music. It ranges from Country, to Alternative, to Jazz, to Rap, to Modern Rock, and even into Folk music. We have chosen songs from all these genres to help express our findings. One group that really stirred up controversy is country singing group, the Dixie Chicks from Texas.
On March 10th, 2003 while performing a concert at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire theatre in London, England, the country singing group the Dixie Chicks made quite a controversial statement speaking out against President Bush and the war in Iraq (Fox, 2003). The result of this statement was an uproar of U.S. country music fans as soon as news of the incident hit American news stands. The voices of those who agreed with the Dixie Chicks’ statement were unfortunately drowned out by those of hatred and threats towards the singers. The incident and aftermath inspired the group to write a new song, released early before their next album on March 16th, 2006, titled “Not Ready to Make Nice” (Fox, 2003). The song was the group’s retaliation attempt to speak out against all those who threatened them for simply utilizing one of their rights as Americans. The attempt was successful as the group received Grammy Awards for all five categories they were nominated in, including one for “Song of the Year” for the chart topping single “Not Ready to Make Nice” (Fox, 2003).
Lead singer Natalie Maines was the Dixie Chick who chose to speak out against the ongoing war efforts made by President Bush in Iraq. A Texas native herself, Maines said “Just so you know, we’re on the good side with y’all. We do not want this war, this violence, and we’re ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas,” (Fox, 2003). This was the quote heard round’ the world, however, this controversy proved to be extremely beneficial to the group because the song that was inspired by it was applauded by those faithful fans who stuck by the Chicks and even by some new fans gained by the song who respected the group’s bravery and choice of free speech. The chorus of the song says “I’m not ready to make nice, I’m not ready to back down. I’m still mad as hell and I don’t have time to go round and round and round. It’s too late to make it right, I probably wouldn’t if I could, ‘Cause I’m mad as hell, Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should” (Dixie Chicks, 2006). Stating that they are not sorry for what was said because it was how they, as a group, felt. Also that they are not going to apologize just because people want them to. The song later goes on to say, “It’s a sad sad story when a mother will teach her daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger; and how in the world can the words that I said send somebody so over the edge that they’d write me a letter sayin’ that I better shut up and sing or my life will be over” (Dixie Chicks, 2006). This tells of the threats they encountered by numerous Americans who were so furious at the Dixie Chicks for speaking out against the war and the President overseas. Those certain critics thought they had the right to voice their opinions directly to the group in a disrespectful and sometimes even violent manner. However, the Dixie Chicks sing of how they are not going to give into the threats.
“Not Ready to Make Nice” has a smooth and heartfelt melody, yet is also able to be undeniably powerful and profound. I think the beginning of the song sounds almost as if she’s lost, I think you can hear how torn apart she is by the whole ordeal in her voice. You sympathize with her and really are able to feel what she may be feeling by the tone and pitch of her words, her melody, and the emotions portrayed throughout the lyrics. As the song goes on into the chorus I think it sounds as if she’s not lost anymore, and she’s standing up for what she believes in and knows she’s not wrong for doing so. The latter stanzas of the song begin to sound more angry than anything, but still no inclination of an apology. I think at the end of the song she begins to sound resolved, as if she will not back down, has no intentions of doing so, and is fine with whatever repercussions that may have. She sounds strong, independent, and her tone is almost as if she’s throwing her hands up saying “This is what it is, deal with it, or don’t” (Dixie Chicks, 2006). I personally love this song not because I agree or disagree with the statement made by Ms. Maines, but because I do believe in the values behind what she was saying and believe that she should be allowed to say whatever her opinion may be; and should be able to do so without having to face threats from those oh-so “patriotic” Americans who believe in the war but apparently not the rights that war supposedly defends. The next song chosen also has some controversy over war and fighting, but was originally written about a past incident in Ireland and was later turned into a call for peace.
The group U2 is all about peace and all about unity. This is evident, as Bono was a huge part in the One campaign to help raise awareness of global poverty, hunger, disease, and effort to fight these problems. He along with other artists used their songs, their popularity to encourage people to join together to fight a bigger cause than what was going on directly in front of them. U2 does this a lot; they use their voice and talent to convey messages to their listeners.
“Sunday Bloody Sunday” is a song written by U2 in 1983 for their War album. The song was written to describe the events of two different Sundays in the history of Ireland that were composed of bloodshed. It was originally written by Bono to speak out against the Irish Republican Army, but he later changed it to point out the atrocities of war itself. It is said that music has a way of crossing barriers between different people with different backgrounds. In an article it was said that “through music, all peoples can come together to make the world a more harmonious place” (Annan, 2004). It is a call for peace, a call to unite, “cause tonight…we can be as one” (U2, 1983).
The song starts off with drums playing, and then a high pitched note almost as a battle cry. The song grabs your attention and makes you feel ready to do something. That distinct rhythm that comes from the drums makes you want to nod your head or tap your feet. Levitin talks about how he clearly remembers rhythms of different songs. He claims that there is a lot of power in a single note, that it is the “melodic innovation that got the crowd to their feet—it was rhythm” (Levitin, 2006,pp. 57). Rhythm is sometimes the uniting factor of a song. Because sometimes the rhythm in music is a way of expressing more than what words are to say (Pearson, Chris, 2007). The rhythm is what brings everyone together, what brings everyone’s attention to the song. Then the lyrics are able to be heard.
The first lyrics of the song, “Sunday Bloody Sunday” talk about how they can’t believe what they have heard on the news, they can’t just close their eyes and everything they have heard will go away. Right away you wonder what they have heard, you question whether it is something you will want to forget as well. They ask the question “How long…how long must we sing this song? How long?” (U2, 1983). Basically how long do we have to wait until change happens because bodies are “strewn across the dead end street” (U2, 1983).
Sometimes music calls for a response. Levitin descirbes how rhythms can be changed in a way that has a “call-and-response” pattern to it. In the song when the guitar takes over the sound, and the lyrics cease the listener is encouraged to continue the lyrics on themselves. They are called to respond to the way that song has them feeling. This song demands a response to whether or not you too want unity. Sometimes after listening to this song I am ready to go out and do something, but I personally only hold these thoughts for a few moments before they are then forgotten. But others, people who know music better, may be more likely to keep the rhythm going on in their head. Like U2, another very famous, very powerful band in the music industry has been known to take controversy into consideration into their music as exhibited by the next song choice.
No one song by The Beatles is more off beat and unconventional when compared to their playing style, then the song 1968 release entitled “Revolution”. The song was actually recorded in two different versions, the original slower-paced recording being released on The White Album in November of 1968. The more popular, controversial version was first released in August of 1968 on the B-side of the “Hey Judy” singles’ album. The track did not become available to the U.S market until 1970 when it was released on the Hey Judy compilation album.(Fontenot,2006)
“Revolution” was chiefly pioneered by John Lennon after he took notice of student political demonstrations that were being held all over the world. The purpose of the song is to call attention to the fact that many governments were being destructive and not looking out for the best interest of society and “the individual“. War and conflict hampered the Vietnam for several years and millions of soldiers from the allying nations were killed for what seemed like to some, an unjust cause. Here is a snippet of some of the lyrics displaying this disgust, “ We all want to change the World/ But when you talk about destruction/ Don’t you know you can count me out/ .“ Several demonstrations and strikes were taking place in Paris during the spring of 1968 and in May of that year the government was overthrown. That occurrence was the primary catalyst for John Lennon’s seemingly sudden political consciousness.
The songs original mellow version was not deemed as being a potential hit and was then changed into the more memorable up-beat version which was considered to have jumped over into the rock genre(Fontenot,2006). The song begins loud with screeching electric guitars, setting the mood immediately and letting the listeners know that this is going to be something a little different. The guitars sound a little muffled and distorted, and even though this did not seem intentional to some, this was in fact done on purpose by Lennon to create the overly powerful and over-amped tone. The song is upbeat and catchy, which puts the listener in a more bubbly mood but listening to the lyrics still gives it a more serious undertone. The fact that the word revolution is actually only used once during the song conveys the message that Lennon and The Beatles were about change and protest, but carried out peacefully and without violence.
It’s not for certain if “Revolution” necessarily changed the minds of passive listeners across the world, but it is clear that the song was speaking out to young revolutionaries everywhere. The song gave those young liberals hope, as well as a voice to identify with. This next song similarly, used the battles of race and power within our own country to evoke controversy.
Jazz is a form of music that has been controversial since it came to life in the early 1900’s. It has danced along racial borders, been the cause of riots, and represented an age of defiance during prohibition in the 20’s. Popular artists like John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Duke Ellington have been at the center of these discussions but Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong was probably the most influential. One of his most influential and meaningful songs would have to be the remake of the African American folk song “Down by the Riverside.”
This song was released at a time when the United States was going through a time of racial conflicts and war protests. This song was Armstrong’s way of voicing his opinion about the war overseas, and the racial wars at home. It was a way for him to convey his thoughts through the art of music and expression to all the people who listened. Lyrics like “Gonna lay down my sword and shield,” “I ain’t gonna study war no more,” and “Gonna stick my sword in the golden sand” (Armstrong, Louis, 2001) are all asking for the war between countries to be over so that there can be peace between all people. The last few verses of the song were more aimed at the dreams that racial borders would be broken down. Lyrics like, “Gonna put on my long white robe,” “Gonna put on my starry crown,” and “Gonna talk with the Prince of Peace” (Armstrong, Louis, 2001) are dreams of being in heaven, or in a more real world view, a place where everyone is equal based on race.
This song not only brought the whole black race together, but also those who were considered to be enemies in a country divided, could be brought together in an ugly and tough time through the art of music. However, it did not go without controversy. There were many people that were not ready for peace, but music was something that everyone could relate to. The next song isn’t so much about politics and war, but more about the people in charge of the public, the police.
The song “F*** tha Police” by rap group N.W.A, Niggaz With Attitudes, is a prime example of a controversial song. If the title of the song doesn't say enough about it already, the song is about the Police, more specifically, the LAPD. The song discusses how the police were/are viewed by the black youth of inner city Compton, or in cities all over the world for that matter. The lyrics portray the three rappers, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and Eazy-E’s views of the police. They talk about being hassled and how they have been victims of police brutality. They express their feelings about being targeted by the LAPD for their African American heritage. Here are some of the lyrics that were deemed controversial: “Beat a police, out of shape, And when I’m finished, bring the yellow tape, To tape off the scene of the slaughter, Still get swoll’ off bread and water”; “A young nigga on the war path, And when I'm finished, theres gunna be a blood bath, Tough cops diein’ in LA, Yo Dre I got somethin’ to say, F*** tha police”; “I'm sneaky as f*** when it comes to crime, And I'm’a smoke him now and not next time, Smoke any motherf***er that sweats me, And any ass hole who threatens me, I'm a sniper with a hell of a scope, Takin out a cop or two they can't cope with me,” (N.W.A, 1988)
The track appeared on the 1988 Gangster Rap classic “Straight Outta Compton”. In the first year the album went double platinum. Despite the stories and language that was that of a street thug, the group’s primary audiences were white suburban males (Erlewine, 2008). Since music infiltrated many middle and upper class families, this stirred up most of the controversy. Shortly after the release of the album, and due to the conservative families it touched, the F.B.I. was prompted to send out a warning notice to the record label about the track (Erlewine, 2008). This did not stop the group from making two more albums before the group dispended do to other complications.
Do these lyrics tell people to go out and disrespect the police? Do they promote violence? Does the music we listen to affect the type of person we become? These are some questions that went unanswered. All the controversy over this song, and the warning from the F.B.I. were both precautions about what could happen because of the song. Nothing was ever proven to have been spawned from this including the 1992 Rodney King riots in L.A. People will act on their own and music will not affect them in that way. Moving from the police, to things they may act upon, this next song has a controversial message about drugs.