(Excerpts from a research paper i wrote last quarter – randomly copy-pasted => illogicality and incoherence is guaranteed)
“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.”
Music is the language of humanity which requires no prior knowledge – everyone has, at some point in their lives, listened to music and has without doubt, had a reaction to it. We usually explore the influences that music has on individuals and society, but often tend to forget how individuals and society have affected music. Evidently, musicians and artists are humans themselves, and as such, can easily be influenced by their surroundings. The change in thoughts and emotions that follows is depicted through the music these artists produce.
It has been noted that, despite the increased stress on “freedom of speech” across the globe today, far less individuality prevails in society. There is so much pressure on individuals, that their unique identity is very easily stifled, resulting in a newfound desire for conformity. When relating this phenomenon to music and musicians, a similar consequence is observed: music is no longer simply an art, but has now evolved into a profit-maximising commercial venture or a mere form of entertainment. Musicians are no long producing music based on inner talent or choice, but in fact, are being driven to create it for the masses. Sociopolitical influences and pressures have eradicated individuality, an attribute which is considered instrumental for this industry.
It is next to impossible to examine any individual without considering the relevant external factors involved. Our minds are perpetually being manipulated by society and the various events occurring around us; hence, the implications are such that we can not help but change our perspectives regarding certain issues. In the case of the musician, while s/he maybe performing in order to present inner talent, one can not deny the fact that a third element, apart from the artist and his/her abilities, has an important role to play as well. From the artist’s point of view, factors ranging from personal tragedies and triumphs to political revolutions are equally likely to impact the nature of songs and lyrics being created nowadays.
Why is it then, that this idea of ‘freedom of speech’ and individuality is being promoted so heavily at one instant, and then being instantly quashed by conforming to what society wants us to do? Are musicians who have expressed their true inner opinions and beliefs rebels? Or are those who conform to society’s needs also expressing their thoughts, but are simply speaking their “influenced minds”? In order to answer these questions, one important clarification needs to be made: the motivations behind artists need to be determined.
Gender, class, race and age are constituents of society which can not be easily pushed to the back seat. Just as a person is identified by a name, s/he is also singled out by one or more of the abovementioned criteria. For a musician, these social issues are fundamental in determining the nature of song s/he is to produce. Members of a specific social class are expected to listen to or compose a specific type of music, the same way that certain age-groups are limited to certain music they should identify with.
By setting aside the assumption that everything in this world is relative, one can reach to the conclusion that music today has become a dying art. The current definition of music is drastically different from what it was initially. Musicians are extremely vulnerable to the dominating presence of sociopolitical pressures, making them the victims of this case. On the other hand, artists also have a duty to their career – to save this “dying art”. They should avoid succumbing to their surroundings and produce the music which pleases them and justly promotes their inner talents. Hence, another balance needs to be achieved: that between rebellious behavior and conformity.
When all is said and done, to reach a true conclusion of this issue does not deem possible. Being realistic, one can not expect revolutions to occur and balances to be set overnight. There is a lot of room for change on behalf the artist and the audience, and in the end, it is up to each individual to make the choice.
