First off, I want to state that I am both a political person and a musical person. My interest in music stretches back to age 5, and my interest in politics goes back to age 14. Musically, I started with piano, then moved onto writing songs, and finally singing - all within a span of about 3 years. Politically, I began as a socialist, both socially liberal and anti-capitalist, before taking up in interest in the art of business as well as discovering the evils of government and the failures of communism. Thus at age 17 I began to transition to libertarianism, and I have since inched closer and closer to what is called anarcho-capitalism. It is, I believe, the only fair and natural system, both liberal and logical - no corporations, no taxes, no privileges, and equal rights for all. Currently, however, I am a minarchist, as I think local governments can properly protect life, liberty, and property of citizens through public courts, defense, and security.
So, considering all of this, why have I only written one or two political songs? I have a lot of personal frustration with the government and related to politics, and my songs are almost always personal. One would think that I would write political songs often. And yet every time I sit down to write one, nothing comes out.
Throughout this semester, I've thought long and hard about this. I've noticed that I don't own too much political music; rather, I tend to listen to music that is either about love or is some sort of storytelling, perhaps fantastical or surreal. Finally, in realizing this, I've begun to understand why I don't write much protest music myself.
I consider myself a rationalist, hence my political beliefs, as I don't think socialism can be attained without a large authoritarian government. I don't think it complies with human nature. Music, on the other hand, has a history in the romantic. It's art. It has a life of its own. Why do you think box office revenues go up during recessions? People need an escape. I need an escape sometimes. I don't write music for social commentary. I write music because I get lost in it. Everything else fades away, and I don't have to consider the evils of the world for a little while. It's as if Hollywood has trained us to ignore the real world and live in fantasy. I realize now just how much a slave to the system I am.
Is it wrong for you to step away from the "real world" every once in a while?
ReplyDeleteNo, to an extent I think it's healthy. But beyond that, it's also worrisome. I don't want to become complacent. I don't want to become apathetic or blind or lazy. It's a balance, and sometimes, in my inability to express myself politically through music, I feel like I don't succeed in attaining that balance.
ReplyDeleteI would say that non-political songs are political...everything is an argument.
ReplyDeleteYou're not a slave to the system for loving the fact that music allows you to escape. Everyone needs escape at some point from something. Art has always been that for a lot of people. For the artist and the audience/observer. As for you not wanting to write political inspired music.... if you're not inspired to make art about a certain something then you shouldn't be making it. The art you make is your choice. Whether people like it or not. If you're not completely inspired then don't create it it won't be worth it
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