Rock music has always been surrounded in controversy. Parents of young teens in the 1950’s were appalled at the blatant sexuality and race mixing associated with the genre, which led to backlash and criticism of how the genre was spoiling young minds. However, as the decades went on and rock music became a critical genre in the anthology of popular music, sexuality and rock were still very tightly knit. From the hair metal bands of the ‘80s to singer-songwriters like Elton John, rock and roll has been a way for artists to express, not only their creativity, but their sexuality, no matter how converse to the norm it may be. This includes gay artists, who used the genre as a tool to come to terms with and assert their sexuality to the masses. …show more content…
In the article “Discophobia” by Gillian Frank, Frank discusses the parallels between the rise and fall of the disco movement and the gay rights movement of the ‘70s. Disco began its rise in popularity at around the same time that the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the list of psychological disorders in the DSM-II. Moreover, Disco and anti-disco sentiments peaked in popularity the same year that the Equal Rights Amendment was voted down, with one of the reasons being that people were afraid it would allow homosexual marriage. Anti-disco sentiments culminated in the mass destruction of disco albums in Comiskey Park in Chicago. Thousands of rock fans gathered to burn and destroy disco albums, while holding banners and wearing shirts with the words “Disco Sucks” written on them. Although there were a multitude of reasons for this adamant distaste for disco, it is important to point out that many mainstream rock fans at the time were white, straight males who may have had prejudices against the overt connection between the gay community and disco …show more content…
One notable example would be Melissa Etheridge, whose album Yes I Am was critically acclaimed and whose song “Come To My Window” won her the Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. Etheridge’s music drew a great deal from her own personal experiences and her intimate lyrics related to a large number of women within the lesbian community, making her a prominent gay icon to this day. Etheridge’s openness about her sexuality from the early ‘90s also cements her as a queer trailblazer in the rock and roll community. Other artists in the vein of Etheridge include k.d. lang and The Indigo Girls, both acts of whom were prominent members of the gay music community. The Indigo Girls especially championed gay rights, along with promoting indie production within the rock community and being indie folk icons in their own right. Artists like Etheridge drew their confidence and inspiration from previous rock musicians like Janis Joplin and Elton John, not only in their coming out, but their musical style. Lesbianism, along with gayness, became more accepted within the rock community, as women began to have more of a presence within the community. Festivals like Lilith Fair allowed all women, including gay women, to listen to female artists and enjoy rock through a lens that they identified
I. Introduction Gender plays a big role in music, I became aware of gender role in music when noticing how most songs talks about women and how they are being either exploited or empowered. Most music videos even in the 80s either objectified women or respect sexuality. Women are usually sexually alluring in music videos, stage performances and even in the song lyrics. Most music video uses video vixens or video girls that are usually dressed or performing sexually. For example, “Siouxsie Sioux frequently performed wearing black leather and rubber bondage attire, as well as heavy eye make-up, making overt statements about her sexuality.
Rock n’ roll gave people the voice they did not have in the early years. As the genre of music became more wide spread, people actually began to speak out. Altschuler touches on the exploration of how the rock n' roll culture roughly integrated with replaced and conflicted with preceding cultural values. Many of these values were very touch topics. Besides black civil rights, sexuality were one of the most sensitive t...
... it brought in sultry rhythms and made some adults worried about over-sexualizing music. However, today it is very common to hear something sexual in a song or verse. In today’s music industry, many women are just as successful as the men.
Throughout our society, gender essentialism has manifested itself in many ways, one of which is through music. Risman (1988:2) writes, “Essentialism is the assumption that basic differences in orientation and personality between men and women are rooted in biology and nature.” Gender essentialism has four key parts: 1) sex differences are based in biology and nature, 2) sex differences are fixed/innate, 3) men have deep unseen properties in common because they look alike, and vice versa with women, and 4) categorization is exclusive (Taylor 2017: Week 1 Day 2). Beyonce’s
Rock 'n' roll came from a type of music called rhythm and blues (R&B), which consisted of doo-wop and gospel music. It was popular mostly in the south during the 40’s but it soon grew to urban cities. It was Les Paul’s invention of the electric guitar in 1952 that added a new sound and made rhythm and blues into the rock 'n' roll we all know and love today. Most of the artists from R&B were African American, and in their song they would reference sexual matters. So together it gave a bad connotation towards the music and their race, therefore both were never fully accepted in the north. The term “rock” was slang mostly used by African Americans meaning a form of music that was easily danced to. Meanwhile “roll” was usually a euphemism for sex, such as “a roll in the hay”. It was Alan Freed who first popularized the term “rock and roll” for this gen...
Fortune had smiled upon the face of Frieda Lohengrin on that particularly slow day in the National Archives in Paris. After accidently kicking and causing the scattering of a bundle of papers that were serving as a doorstop, Lohengrin discovers that her blunder was truly a blessing in disguise. The documents told the story of the nation of Brittany, beginning with its union and extending to its consistent struggle against the kings of France in the 17th and 18th centuries. After peering over the documents for hours, Lohengrin hastily ran to the neighborhood café, the Petit Berry, to describe to her fellow American researchers what she had uncovered. Though
Although considered the day Rock ‘n’ Roll was born, many other events in American history have given foundation to this much loved idea. Rock ‘n’ Roll is much more than just music, rather it is the movement which underlines cultural imperialism. Rock had been promoting a culture of comfort and freedom from social constraints as well. Although the style of ‘Rock music’ is easily adaptable into many different sounds, it is still thoroughly identified by its definingly amplified rhythm. The sudden worldwide popularity of rock and roll resulted in an unparalleled social impact. Rock ‘n’ Roll influenced lifestyles, fashion, attitudes, and language in a way few other social developments have equaled. The social impact is so large that rock stars are worshipped worldwide. In its early years, many adults condemned the style of music, placing a stigma on its name, and forbid their children from listening and following its ways. Many considered Rock ‘n’ Roll culture as a bad influence to all people, but as the genre aged and the now not-so-young crowds had matured, Rock was respected and
Coupled with its relatability during the rise of feminist movements in the 1970s was Simon’s ability to share feelings harbored from past relationships with men. Simon’s new work was “playful, vulnerable, and romantic,” and her commitment to independence helped her to finally be seen as a meaningful voice within the industry. Her ability to put her career before romantic relationships and above conforming to traditionalist views of women “set her apart from her closest female peers” (Weller 168). Later songs like “You’re So Vain” continued to show that Carly was a force to be reckoned with as an artist who was unafraid to share negative feelings about men (Weller 343). Like King, Simon’s struggles surrounding society’s dictations of her role in her relationships with men and that allowed for her mistreatment by music industry professionals held her back in the short term, but when she was able to come into her own as an artist, these same struggles served as source material for her hit
Of all musical genres country music is perhaps the one most influenced by a male presence. Country music is often associated with the classic cowboy strumming a guitar around a campfire or riding his horse with a guitar strapped to his back. Even the politics of country music is inclined towards a male-dominated, republican, conservative, pro-war stance (Spong 184). The stereotypical women of country music “behave properly” and passively follow the same values as men do. Therefore, in 2003 when the Dixie Chicks, a three member all female country music band, became the top selling female group of all time it was quite an accomplishment. Their success began in 1997 with an image that embraced their versatility. Martie Maguire and Emily Robison, who are sisters, played fiddle and banjo and provided background vocals to lead vocalist Natalie Maines, gifted with a strong, clear voice. Maines stood out from the others with her forceful stage presence. They wore feminine, bling infused, non-countrified outfits. They were pretty to look at and kind of goofy in demeanor (129). The kind of young women fans could imagine having a lot of fun with, but also the kind that young women could identify with through their music. Songs like “Goodbye Earl” described a strong woman who has had enough of her abusive husband and ends up killing him. However, the band delivered it in a style that was far from morose. It sent a clear message of girl power for many women (129). Many accolades followed from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association (CMA) which included Entertainer of the Year, Top Vocal Group, and album of the Year (Towner 293). During the first five years of their career they sold 28 million copies of the three records...
There were also female artists in the rockabilly genre such as Brenda Lee. Having females in rockabilly also changed the harmony of the genre. It allowed audiences to listen and have a new perspective of how the dynamics of rockabilly can also be performed with a different tone of lyrics. In conclusion the “rockabilly” sound is able to transition from male to female giving an option on what audiences prefer, increased or decreased speed in tempo, and the instrumentation of guitars and banjos gives a variety of ways on how this music can be
The low quality of the bass sound, harsh melody and lyrics tell people the rise of rock n roll at that time had a strong connection with white supremacy. The book White Riot Punk Rock And The Politics of Race by Stephen Duncombe and Maxwell Tremblay claimed: “It’s easy to condemn this music and culture, along with its violence and bigotry” (Stephen 115), which is agreeable.
The rock and roll era was undoubtedly influential on the social revolution during the 1960’s and 70’s. This can largely be attributed to the way rock and roll invigorated the youth, allowed for counter-cultural characters to be accepted and influential, and brought together whites and blacks and allowed for women and women groups to gain ground in the music industry. Rock and roll invigorated the youth because of its unique time placement in history and because of its distinct rhythm, which set it apart from other musical genres. In regard to the time period, Rock was able to influence the youth because, with larger disposable incomes after the economic resurgence of the United States following World War II, young people were able to focus more on social progress and artistic exploration rather than being hampered so much by financial restrictions. In regard to musical style, rock and roll was also much more lively and energetic with its fast tempo and bright rhythm, qualities which undoubtedly made it more
Also Disco was the one music's that was to carry forward the ideas of the late 1960's "Hippy Philosophy" of "Making love not war". But with Disco music and culture it went onto carried on the Hippy philosophy of making love and not war - in more fun and acceptable way for one and all. If I do say so myself on a more grander and a more sophisticated level.
In the United states during the 1920’s, or roaring twenties, through the 30’s was a time of vast African American musical and artistical expression. This movement called “The Harlem Renaissance” gave way to new ideas about homosexuality and transgenders. This movement was also, “Marked by the attitude that homosexuality was a personal matter”(Gibson 52). In other words, they thought that being gay, lesbian, or transgender was a personal choice and should not be against the law. Although a lot of attention was being given to gays and lesbians during this time, not much was written about transgenders until later on in
The lyrics of music play an important part of interpreting the meaning of the song. The roles which women have been allowed by the society to embody have changed drastically. Women may question their roles because of what they see portrayed by popular culture or media. Change in female’s identity can be seen in how women are viewed or how they portray themselves in popular culture specifically through music. In general, music continues to...