Power to the Peaceful
So, I was having a conversation with some friends the other day about political music and all that comes with it. Basically what’s the best generation, best artists, issues tackled and so on (all the normal answers were given 60s, John Lennon, Country Joe, Bobbo).
My first thought was screw it why does there have to be a best generation, and to take it even further why does all music have to have a political tone to be recognized as a monumental song of the times. The reason most people enjoy music, especially live, is that it has an indescribable joy, it’s all about good vibrations. Why mess that up with some political overtone or recognition of some movement. Don’t get me wrong, I love being committed to my political causes and what matters to me. Stand up and fight right, but why can’t songs about good times, crazy adventures, and the old west (I got a thing for songs about ol’ school gunfights) be just important to someone. After all they teach you about life and have a way of setting your day off right too.
Now to my second thought, why can’t our generation of music be known as the Greatest Political Music ever! I know, I know the Vietnam War, social upon social movement, and some of the greatest stuff ever put into music. Then again, we have a crazy, crappy war going on too, huge turmoil throughout the world, and social changes like the green movement occurring daily. Here’s the best part, we have great political music all over the place. The best of them all, bias opinion, is the man that coined the phrase “Power to the Peaceful” Michael Franti and Spearhead. He’s a genius, the blend of high energy rap, smooth reggae, and peace and love can’t help but be addicting. Plus, the downright despise of the government is pretty damn nice too. Check out any of his music, it’s all good.
So, why is only a small portion of the United States listening to the music that has a way of defining our times and huge events of our lives? Too many answers to that question, but something to definitely ponder.
That’s all from me,
Andrew
“You ask me, it’s big corporations!” Michael Franti, Yell Fire! album
4 comments:
Good music doesn't get played on the radio and then gain popularity because people are lazy. We are willing to listen to crap-pop music so that's what the majority of stations play. If people cared more, and demanded more selection from the radio, wouldn't it cause better, more diverse, music to be played? But thank goodness for iTunes and good buddies I'm not stuck listening to it.
rock on brother man! power to the peaceful!
Michael Franti is my hero.
Michael Franti is amazing! Music as a form of protest or for political action has been taking place for years, in all countries, in a variety of venues and genres. At the very beginning of rock and roll just the act of being into it was considered an act of defiance. There were burnings of records and raids on concerts because it was considered evil and the devil's work, not to mention that its roots was in R&B music, which was another taboo area to main stream Amercia. I believe that if one looks into every generation of music you will find those that use their music for poiltical statements. Sometimes it will be subtle, sometimes it will be obvious, but it is there somewhere.... look beyond the Top 40 and mainstream music and I am certain you will find Michael Franti's everywhere.
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