Final Blog Post

 Music as a Mirror: Reflecting and Shaping Society​

    Music has always been used as a language that could express strong feelings in spite of nationality and fanbases. Throughout music history performers have used their talent to express society evils and provoke transformation. Two great examples of this are Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind, released in 1963, and Killing in the Name by Rage against the Machine in 1992 in which music was used to hold up a mirror and therefore force change.

 Perhaps that is why Blowin’ in the Wind is one of the most famous protest songs of all time – while being a protest song it is fundamentally about understanding the very foundations of being alive. First of all, Bob Dylan is amazing at lyrics which make people think about important social problems and ask a number of questions. Second, because the lyrics are simple and set to catchy tunes, they can be readily sung and recalled helping to create a rallying hymn for everyone who needs a voice to be heard. Also, the rhythmic gulps and intonations of Dylan provide a new humanistic message to the periods of the song, which make the listeners to focus personally on the messages of injustice plus yearning for transformation. All in all, the combinations of those aspects in the composition of the work leave contemporary viewers with the searching sights of goal and hope to change in spirit of the present days’ fights.

Killing in the Name has Rage Against the Machine being political using rebellion as their theme. First of all, the song is different from other songs in terms of the passionately performed vocals which increase the rebellious idea the whole song possesses. Second, the lyrics can be liberated as containing politically charge statements regarding such topics as police brutality or systematic racism frustration at the core of injustice. Last of all the catchy and aggressive music and specifically the screaming guitar lines and its other parts so that it would inspire listeners to fight against the system and hence symbolizes generations of activists and musicians, thus sealing its place in the fight for social justice.

    Hence, it is correct to include in the consideration of the fight for music with the addition of protest movements shook songs as Blowin’ in the Wind by Bob Dylan and Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine. These songs provoke positive social change among the adolescent by provoking them to stand up against social injustice as well as unfairness due to that encouraging feelings through their thought-provoking lyrics and enticing tunes that the said songs move the soul. Whereas Dylan stepped into the role of a preacher, a philosopher who provides wishing and mutual consolation to lonely lonely souls, Rage Against the Machine became a commercial, inspiring people to act against oppression. Together, they focus on the versatility of music in protest for justice consequently making people aware that such problems exist across time, in society today.

Songs
Blowin' in the Wind

Killing in the Name

Sources

Benitez-Eves, Tina. “Behind the Meaning of Rage against the Machine’s 1992 Hit ‘Killing in the Name.’” American Songwriter, 11 May 2022, americansongwriter.com/behind-the-meaning-of-rage-against-the-machines-1992-hit-killing-in-the-name/.

Whatley, Jack. “The Story behind the Song: ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ the Bob Dylan Classic Written in 10 Minutes.” Far Out, 9 July 2020, faroutmagazine.co.uk/bob-dylan-blowin-in-the-wind-story-behind-the-song/.

My Journey​

Prior to taking this course, music was enjoyable for me when listening to it as well as entertaining when writing it. But I had never thought of its social relevance before that. By dissecting and critically evaluating information I value the significance of music in the development of the world even more. I now realize that is not something you simply absorb but rather something that happens to you and even acts upon you.

Music and the Fictive Dream

Tomorrow from Annie (1982)

Biography/History

Annie is about a spunky orphan that escapes her hard-knock life, then winds up in the care of an eccentric billionaire in John Houston's adaptation of the Broadway hit.

Tomorrow, the iconic anthem from Broadway's Annie (1977), was penned by Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin. This timeless classic embodies optimism, inspiring generations with its message of hope and resilience.

Role in the Story

Tomorrow masterfully embodies Annie's unwavering determination and hope amidst hardship. This timeless classic delivers a powerful message that resonates globally, conveying perseverance, resilience and optimism in adversity. Annie's courageous spirit inspires audiences to face challenges with confidence, anticipation and a steadfast belief in a brighter future.

The song's themes of resilience, hope and optimism have made it an enduring symbol of inspiration. "Tomorrow" encourages generations to face challenges head-on, hold onto hope amidst hardship and strive for a brighter future. Its impact transcends generations and cultures, cementing its status as a beloved classic.

Social Commentary

Tomorrow epitomizes the American Dream, symbolizing belief in a brighter future. Strouse and Charnin's masterful composition features memorable melodies and repetitive rhymes, evoking determination and enthusiasm.

Music

https://youtu.be/TZUDNYaJjCs?feature=shared

Personal Reaction

Tomorrow never fails to uplift and inspire me. Aileen Quinn's powerful vocals bring Annie's unwavering optimism to life, resonating deeply. Musically, the combination of soaring melodies, lively rhythms and memorable lyrics creates an irresistible energy. Charles Strouse's composition masterfully captures Annie's spirit.

Lyrically, Tomorrow embodies hope and resilience, encouraging listeners to face challenges with confidence. Martin Charnin's words beautifully convey Annie's determination. The song's impact extends beyond entertainment, inspiring optimism, resilience and hope.

Tomorrow reminds me that every day brings new possibilities. Its timeless message makes it a beloved classic. 

References 

Annie. Directed by John Huston, Columbia Pictures, 1982.

Huston, John, et al. “Annie.” IMDb, www.imdb.com/title/tt0083564/. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

Role of the Performer

     Adele is a British singer-song writer whose full name is Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, she was born on the 5, May 1988 in Tottenham, North London. She took her first steps into music very early; she discovered the music of artists such as Etta James & Ella Fitzgerald. Adele went to the BRIT School for Performing Arts & Technology where she perfected her vocal talents and singing and song writing. Indeed, in 2008 she premiered her first album 19 that brought new energy to pop music with carefully-forged lyrics and extraordinary voice. The album gave Adele the opportunity for critical acclamation and awards that include the prestigious Grammy Award for best new artist. Later albums, such as 21 and 25, became an evidence of Adele the world renowned singer with messages in her songs touching on broken relationships and growing up. She is an influential figure in the contemporary music and algebra worldwide, she has extended her album sales to more than millions.

Two excellent choices which reveal the potential of Adele can be named Hello and Someone Like You.

    1. Hello – This track is a ballad with the track hitting the airwaves in 2015 and being the lead single from her third studio album 25. The lyrics of the song can be interpreted to mean that the singer is regretting the loss of a beloved and wants to reconnect. The beautiful orchestration enhances Adele’s husky vocals and the music swells and rises to a point that will melt everybody’s hear.

    2. Someone Like You – From her second studio album 21, this slow song shows that simplicity can makes hearts sing with ideal resonance. The simplicity of the piano part helps bring the focus on her voices and emotions and the special vocal skills she possess.

    Adele, in turn, reports emotions and experiences and provides a very empathetic communication with listeners. While some singers compose songs for themselves, Adele adds her feel to songs, as provided for by the original compositions. Such musicians are needed as they bring a new approach, and therefore people hear familiar feelings, just as artistic performers convey them.

    After listening to the selected pieces of music, I totally empathized with them and had the need to get over a stress. The dynamics of Hello were well crafted, beginning with the vocal harmonies, and then the cathartic raw ballad brought back own longing memories. The passionate use of phrases and excellent timbre offered to me and, perhaps, many other listeners hooked me up. In another song, Someone Like You, the piano playing in the background accompanied by Adele’s vocal section gives the feel of an old-fashioned, personal song. Indeed the dynamics of the lyrics and her execution adds light to the reality she is not only an extraordinary singer but also a manager of moods of people.

For this discussion, I referenced materials from the following reputable sources:

    1. Petrusich, A. (2015, November 23). Adele: 25. Pitchfork. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21246-25/ 

    2.Trust, G. (2013, January 14). Adele’s “someone like you” soars to no. 1 on hot 100. Billboard. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/adeles-someone-like-you-soars-to-no-1-on-hot-100-467566/

Altogether, Adele can be spotlighted as a powerful singer, who always pays appropriate attention to the text of a song and shares her feelings with the spectators all over the world.

Take a Musical Trip

 Take a Musical Trip: Enka Music

   Enka is a popular traditional music of Japan which was originated centuries ago and is still popular due to the beautiful tune and moving lyrics. Based in the early 1900 and 1890's, to the present day inspite of its incorporation from Japanese folk music, melodies from western societies, and modern elan. This blog is devoted to the analysis of Enka music discussing the nature of its multicultural influence, the importance of the song for the audience as well as the context of its creation and relevance.

Distinctive Sound: The peculiarness of Enka music consists of the melodies, vocals, and lyrics within the songs.

- Melancholic melodies: The music sounds minor, giving it a romantic appealing and therefore stimulate s the feeling of longing.

- Shamisen accompaniment: It is a lute like instrument originating from Japan which completely complements the music kind known as Enka music.

- Vibrato-rich vocals: Gestural and embellished vocal performing attitudes are interpreted as passionate affect displays.

- Poetic lyrics: Love, death, and social transformations are the topics of folklore that is based on telling metaphoric and allegoric stories. For example, Enka singers keep vibrations in order to prove how intense they are, and shamisen players use the complicated finger work in order to reconstruct the rhythm.

Cultural Context: Enka was developed in the nineteenth century, which is showed Japanese context and social criticism.

Cultural preservation: As to the aesthetics of the environment, it seem that Enka saved traditional Japanese attitudes to values and feelings.

Social commentary: Themes such as love, loss, new societal changes were in songs.

Influence of Western music: This was because Enka adopted basic Western instruments and harmonies. Apart from being entertaining, Enka is also quite informative about Japanese societal culture and respective history.

Music Selections: 1. https:youtu.be/_JPKop-dYJ8?si=8wPb1P8uXm4WEc45     Enka is one of the most traditional style of Japanese music, and Misora Hibari popularized it with such a song as Kawa no Nagare Ni Mi o Makase, which came out in 1961. Finally, Misora’s only Enka song Sawagi Umi demonstrates the doomed romance and passion that Enka vocalist are only too willing to convey. The song itself is a good source of inspiration; this song especially addresses issues of strength and acceptation contrasting the river to the current situation. Misora also read it effectively, so the song has quite a heart-warning appeal, and everyone was touched.     Altogether this track, along her varied career, has ensured Misoras place in Japan’s musical pantheon of cherished artists. To this date her presence still motivates many in the music scene and people can see how traditional causes are used in making heartfelt stories out of songs. https://youtu.be/IYqOTNL5LzI?si=DKV0gu7fSxIp8Azx     In Kiyoshi Hikawa, Enka has expressed it’s modern beingness through his song titled Sakura. Most famously an Enka singer, Hikawa remains a purveyor of the style and, via the sheer strength of his singing, its longevity. Altogether Global Atmosphere stress can be hypothesized that Sakura splendidly reflects the development of Enka, effectively combining traditional Instruments with modern Production methods. Such balance between new and old is successfully preserving traditions within the genre and getting new viewers and new interest among young people. Hikawa’s performance makes it clear how Enka is nostalgic for the ancients whilst it is progressive in handling of new input. The content of love loosing, and the power of time can bring is seen as the song’s lyrics create a mesmerizing impact. Hikawa’s high tone demonstrates him being a perfect enka singer, proving at the same time how enka can make the listeners feel certain emotions.

       The classic components of Gidayu, with the help of instruments, such as the shamisen and the shakuhachi flute are accompanied perfectly by contemporary orchestral accompaniment, thus eradicating the line between the eras. This marriage between tradition and contemporary thinking makes it possible for Enka to remain relevant in modern Japan musical scene. P

Personal Reaction: After listening to some songs in this style, I am so enthralled by Enka music mostly because of the sorrowful and powerful feelings associated with the genre. This unique genre, regularly associated with rather expressive tunes and touching sus-Jacqueline lyrics, gives understanding of an essence of life. It simply helps people hear and understand the singers’ stories: sadness, yearning, happiness, and memories.

It without any doubt is one of the most culturally valuable sources that explain present Japan through showing its reflection in the past. The themes discussed in the lyrics were love, death and time, even the notes that describe the ups and downs of life & the sentiments. Listening to these songs one can hear each chord of the story – the battles and victories of previous generations, so it awakes a sense of respect and belonging to Japanese culture.

Also that sounds of a traditional orchestra, using instruments such as the shamisen or the shakuhachi for example, creates depth and gives the audience the feeling of going back in time. The performances are usually charged or infused with passion and…genuineness, which makes the performance eye-opening, irresistible and rousing power inculcating soul.

In a way, listening to Enka is not only a matter of hearing it but an emotional experience that allows one to leave he or she temporal existence and be submerged into another that brings the understanding of others, as well as the ability to find solace for personal trauma through a shared cultural experience. All the notes are accompanied by a sense of historical continuity and a hint at the narrative that shall continue unceasingly.

Conclusion: Therefore, Enka music has created a deep documentation of the Japanese cultural history and leave a perfect imprint where traditionalism merges with modernization. The numerous pleasant tunes and the individual narratives it conveys compel people to ponder over their feelings. The genre does not only maintain the foundation of Japanese cultural and individuality, but it also is an influential tool of social critique and a favorable way of expressing one’s feelings. All in all, as Enka is proactively changing, it will always be loved by the audiences as it connects between generations; the instrumental melodies and the narratives of the songs will always stay preserved for the future generations. Once again, Enka helps make a point that the emotions are timeless, and voices in harmony remains timeless.

References:

MasterClass. (2021, October 13). Enka music guide: A brief history of ENKA music - 2024. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/enka-music-guide 

Writers, Y. (2017, August 1). Enka: A Japanese music genre worth listening to: Yabai - the modern, vibrant face of Japan. http://yabai.com/p/2750

Innovations and Evolutions

The Evolution of Music Videos: From Silent Films to MTV (1920s-1990s)

    Music videos are now widely accepted in music industry promotion as a means to additional creative expression in a visual sense. But have you ever thought that what kind of influence music videos have into the decades? From starting their lives as short films to the birth of the music television station, music videos has come a long way. In this post, I’ll discuss the great and vast history of music videos. 

    In history, music videos as a concept were limited to short clips that acted as a film showcasing musicians singing live during the 1920s. Generally, these “soundies” or “film shorts” were introduced in cinemas and generally they moved along with musical recordings. History.com describes soundies as being, "an early form of music video which generally included a singer singing or an instrumental playing". These early videos created the foundation for further wastes. Musical films started in the 1930s and some films of this kind included Top Hat (1935) and Singin’ in the Rain(1952). These were films that laid foundation to the contemporary music video production. 

Gene Kelly Singing in the Rain

     In the 1960s and 1970s, promotional films which were basically films used in marketing singles were established. By far; Beatles are perhaps the most profound example in the early period with two of their songs; Strawberry Fields Forever released in 1967 and Penny Lane the same year. According to Britannica.com, “These films were often experimental and psychedelic reflecting the counterculture of the age.” Other artists, such as The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan, also made music videos as well. These early videos became the foundation for 1980s music video revolution. 

The Beatles Penny Lane

     The advent of MTV (Music Television) in the year 1981 really set fire to the music video business. MTV’s round the clock music video programming revolutionized how people wished to engage with their music. Historytimelines.com states the first day of MTV had 116 music videos VIDEOS violated MTV’s first day with 116 music videos included Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles. Pop legends Michael Jackson himself his surge, Prince’s Bat Dance and Madonna Like a Virgin are ideal examples where video made a substantial impact. MTV’s impact really changed the evolution and strategic role of music videos. 

Madonna Like A Virgin

    Sometime during the late 80’s through early 90’s, with the aid of campaigns such as the Alternative Nation rock and grunge, emerged with bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Radiohead coming up with videos that depicted the new era. RollingStone.com says that the demographics of the 1990s, especially in term of the music videos, were different from the previous one, and they had more experimental and avant-garde vision. This period talented directors like Mark Romanek as well as Spike Jonze were on the rise, many of their work were often surreal making music videos. The 1990s allowed future music video ventures. 

Nirvana Smells Like Teen Spirit

From black and white movies, to pop-up videos, music videos have come a long way in about half a century. The beginnings of the substance could be seen in brief performance clips, but became rich, visually impressive creations. Music videos remain relevant in the industry promoting artists’ creativity and engaging the fans. It will be greatly interesting to observe how the aesthetics of the music videos will proceed in the future with the further technological development.

Sources

Carson, Tom. “Music Video.” Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, inc., 14 Sept. 2023, www.britannica.com/art/music-video.

Donchano. “Rolling Stone (US): The 100 Greatest Music Videos of All Time.” Acclaimed Music Forums, 31 July 2021, www.acclaimedmusic.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=10328.

“MTV: History Timeline.” History Timelines, historytimelines.co/timeline/mtv. Accessed 16 Oct. 2024.

Shukla, Neel. “History of Music Videos: Evolution from TV Screens to Digital Streams.” Broadcast2World: Best Animated Explainer Video Production Company, Broadcastworld, 12 June 2024, www.b2w.tv/blog/history-of-music-videos. 

Music Analysis #2

 Symptom of Being Human

Symptom of Being Human was written by Brent Smith and Eric Bass. It was sung by the band, Shinedown. The members of Shinedown are Barry Kerch, Brad Stewart (2001–2007), Brent Smith (2001–present), Eric Bass (2008–present), Jasin Todd (2001–2008), and Zach Myers (2005–present). They originated in Jacksonville, Florida, although the song, Symptom of Being Human was recorded in Charleston, South Carolina. Shinedown released the song on July 1, 2022. 

Symptom of Being Human by Shinedown is such an emotionally intensive song. It hits me on a very personal level and evokes a lot more than I would normally expect from a song. The songwriting is poetic and its meaningful lyrics make the song very introspective, combined with the tune, provoking and ethereal, a great call for self-reflection, compassion, and hope. The song amplifies the vulnerabilities of human experience therefore it allows me to foster those emotions, while at the same time promoting the spirit of power. In total, while listening to Symptom of Being Human, I perceive some marvelous capacity to elicit deep emotional responses or build very pertinent and requisite relationships with the human condition. For some time I had often listened to this song during some tough moments and still, it makes one appreciate how much more complex human beings are. 

Harmony, melody, rhythm, dynamics, and timbre greatly influence my personal response. The words of the song are engrossing and full of meaningful thoughts make me feel emotional and let me explore the core point of the song. The enchanting and enchanting melody stimulates and makes me seriously listen with feelings of admiration, and even physically, lingering after the song. Yelling also doesn't fit as a vocal approach and this is why the usage of emphatic and deep vocals is so effective: the singer is very open and fragile at the same time; people can easily feel what she is singing about. Moreover, the listeners are absorbed in their own emotions and philosophic introspection. The addition of dynamics throughout a piece, starting with a clear whisper and reaching a strong forte allows for the game to again become an emotional tool - one that can be used to better understand the experiences of oneself and others. These elements, together with the artistical message, form a strong and touching actual as well as spiritual, musical experience that reflects the multifaceted characteristics of the human being. 

"The message is quite simple: we’re only human. Every single one of us. We all have difficulties we have to battle through, and we’re all a work in progress. Some of you may be going through the worst of it at the moment, and we’re sorry that you are. That’s rough. We’ve been there, too, and we hope the message in this song uplifts and provides you strength. On the other hand, some of you may be going through the best moments of your life, and that’s fantastic."  Alycia Pritchard stated that on an article that she posted on The Honey Pop website.

Someone on Music City Music Magazine stated that “A Symptom Of Being Human resonates with listeners due to its uplifting message about human imperfection. The track has garnered tens of millions of streams across various versions, including live, pop remix, acoustic, and piano." on a article that they posted. 

Pritchard, Alycia, et al. “The Important Message in Shinedown’s ‘A Symptom of Being Human.’” The Honey POP, 3 July 2023, thehoneypop.com/2023/07/03/the-important-message-in-shinedowns-a-symptom-of-being-human/#google_vignette.

Staff, Mcmm. “Shinedown’s ‘A Symptom of Being Human’ Breaks into Top 20 at Top 40 Radio - Music City Music Magazine.” Music City Music Magazine - Nashville Live Music Blog & Photography, 25 May 2024, musiccitymusicmag.com/shinedowns-a-symptom-of-being-human-breaks-into-top-20-at-top-40-radio/.

Music Analysis #1 Mamacita

 

Mamacita by Voila

Mamacita was written by Thomas Dutton, Alexis Afshar, Zev William Troxler, Luke Eisner, Gustav Ross Skinner, Dimitri Ehrlich. The singers of Mamacita are the band Voila and Lexy Panterra. The members of Voila are Luke Eisner and Gus Ross. The song was released in 2019 in Los Angeles, CA, United States. 

At first this song seems like there is a lot going on with lyrics and beat, but after a couple times through, it gets a little simpler and easier to listen to. I found this to be true for the few songs by Voila that I have listened to. Mamacita is quite sensual yet has dominantly fun vibes. It has complex beats and is so sexual that it is energetic and erotic in as much as the lyrics make one feel bold and stunning. In general, the song calls forth interest, good disposition, and freedom.

Three elements that entice those emotions are the rhythmic beats, sensual vocals, and the instrumentation. Generally, I consider “Mamacita” with its greatly interesting tempo to be one of the cheeriest songs. This is so because the tempo and the vigorous drum beating in the song make the song so lively depending on the feeling one could wish to associate the song with or play. The format of voice in the song is sensual and expressive and when in addition there are elements of sexuality in the texts, it creates an atmosphere of confidence. Concerning the rhythm and melody, the words that are sung do not clash with the type of music and bring a certain sex appeal, and smoothness which gives it a good tone and swag of confidence, and charm. Regarding the Orchestration in “Mamacita,” Some of them are; the rhythmic section, melodic section, and dynamic section. All these musical elements produce a lively and suggestive mood that strengthens the sentiments of excitement, confidence, and easygoing.

When he wrote a blog on the meaning behind Mamacita, Melvin Duke stated that "the lively melody immediately drew me in, but it was the meaning behind the song that truly captivated me. “Mamacita” is a love song that transcends language barriers, capturing the essence of attraction and connection between two individuals". This was put on Beat Crave's website. 

Sarah Kocur mentioned "Mamacita proves to be another notch in the belt for the dynamic duo. Previous singles from VOILÀ have seen worldwide success, from millions of streams on Spotify, to being supported by the likes of Martin Garrix, Kesha, and The Fray" in her post on EDM.com's website.

Duke, Melvin. “The Meaning behind the Song: Mamacita by Voilà.” Beat Crave, 5 Jan. 2024, beatcrave.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-mamacita-by-voila/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CMamacita%E2%80%9D%20is%20a%20song%20that%20celebrates.

Kocur, Sarah Kocur. “Voilà and Lexy Panterra Come Together for Magnetic Single, ‘Mamacita’ - Edm.Com - the Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists.” EDM.Com, 6 Sept. 2019, edm.com/music-releases/voila-mamacita-lexy-panterra-proximity.