When choosing protest songs I could not decide between two. Not only did I like both songs and feel that they both represented great protests, but I also could not remember if they had already been shown in class so I decided to bring in both to class. The first I chose was "We're not gonna take it" by the Twisted sisters. This song is sung by a group of punk singers who protest against authority figures in the world. This song can be against anything from parents, to teachers, to the government. The group implies that they will no longer conform to or obey any further authoritative actions.
The second song I chose was "What's going on" by Marvin Gaye. This song protests against social injustice. I talks about how love is the only think that can conquer hate. Marvin Gaye says too many people are unhappy and too many people are dying. He, along with many Americans, wants to know where the love and peace in our world has gone.
Protest songs are effective because they allow people to really put emotion into something they believe in. They are especially effective for those who love music and listen to regularly. "We're not gonna take it" is effective because it is a very fast, upbeat song that one cannot help but to dance and sing along to. "What's going on" is effective in that it focuses on the softer, more emotional side of the issue. It brings to light the fact that people are dying and unhappy and that it needs to be fixed. Protest songs seem to bring about awareness but usually do not seem to bring about change unless the changes are small, personal changes.
2 comments:
Yeah, I had problems choosing my protest song, too. I didn't know any song at all that protested against something, so I had a lot of difficulty trying to find a protest song in the first place. I managed to find one, but it is set in the Civil Rights Movement. Definitely not a current protest song.
I like what you said about Whats goin on" by Marvin Gaye, it is indeed a softer side to a protest. As we saw in class, the modern remix, if you will, chose to take the same take on the "softer" side of protest in order to get their point across. On an interesting note... There is a hard rock remix (sold on the SAME CD!) that takes a harder, more direct approach, check it out!
//P.No//
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