Grunge: The Musical Revolution that Changed America

756 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Grunge culture

GRUNGE: AN INTRODUCTION
Music in America in the late 1980s saw a revolution in the form of a whole new genre, which would later be known as ‘grunge’. It is perhaps one of America’s most notable contributions to the music world. Grunge originated in Seattle and spread through the United States over the 1990s. It also influenced the international music scene, inspiring artists, and creating a huge world-wide fan base. The music was inspired by punk rock, but had more edgy riffs coupled with emotive, sometimes heavy lyrics. This type of music reached out to and addressed an oppressed and often abused audience. The angry musical riffs, paired with lyrics that most young Americans could relate to, or had even experienced, made grunge instantly popular. Grunge revolutionized not only music in America, but also left its mark on American culture. Grunge, as a genre of music and as a lifestyle, broke away from the glamour of the mainstream music world, allowing people to express themselves through music that was relatable and real.
GRUNGE: BRIEF HISTORY AND DEFINITION
Grunge began as a raw, rough sounding version of the rock music that was prevalent during the 1980s. It started in 1980s Seattle in the form of bands like Mudhoney and The Screaming Trees. However, it was in the early 1990s, when bands like Nirvana and Soundgarden emerged that the grunge movement took America by storm. These bands allowed people to experience and revel in an entirely new kind of music, which was both expressive and relevant. Though there are several bands both within and outside of the United States that play and some who still play grunge music, the most influential band was Nirvana. Front-man Kurt Cobain still holds a place as a music icon, and it is the ...

... middle of paper ...

...nd dressed the part. Their outfits were rarely glamorous or expensive. This holds true for even those bands that made it big, on an international level. Grunge fashion was pared down, on a whole. It consisted of worn, often torn jeans and t-shirts. These t-shirts were usually paired with a long-sleeved t-shirt underneath or a flannel shirt on top (Strong, 19). The overall look was a shabby, disheveled look that was usually achieved with unremarkable attire and messy hair.

WORKS CITED
Strong, Catherine. Grunge: Music and Memory. Surrey, England: Ashgate Publishing Company, 2011. Print.
Talley, Tara. “Grunge and Blues, a Sociological Comparison: How Space and Place Influence the Development and Spread of Regional Musical Styles.” Chrestomathy: Volume 4 (2005): 228 – 238. Print.
Moore, Ryan. Sells like Teen Spirit. New York: New York University Press, 2010. Print.

Show More
Related

  • All Shook Up: How Rock 'n' Roll Changed America

    792 Words  | 2 Pages

    The development of Rock ‘n’ Roll in the late 1940s and early 1950s by young African Americans coincided with a sensitive time in America. Civil rights movements were under way around the country as African Americans struggles to gain equal treatment and the same access to resources as their white neighbors. As courts began to vote in favor of integration, tensions between whites and blacks escalated. As the catchy rhythm of Rock ‘n’ Roll began to cross racial boundaries many whites began to feel threatened by the music, claiming its role in promoting integration. This became especially problematic as their youth became especially drawn to ...

    Read More

  • Rock and Roll in the Early Fifties

    1698 Words  | 4 Pages

    This book provides a very detailed outline on how and where rock and roll originated. It places much emphasis on the transition from Black to White rock artists and how society reacted to this change. Szatmary also presents sufficient information on the many aspects of rock and roll, ranging from what the lyrics are about, to the beginnings of rock and roll and new age rock.

    Read More

  • Rock n Roll & 20th Century Culture

    1464 Words  | 3 Pages

    Rock ‘n’ roll and 20th Century Culture According to Philip Ennis, rock ‘n’ roll emerged from the convergence of social transformations which resulted from World War II (Ryan 927). Despite its pop culture origins, rock music is arguably one of the strongest cultural factors to develop in this century. Artists such as Lennon, McCartney and Dylan defined the emotions of a generation and, in the last decade, it as even been acknowledged by members of the establishment which it hoped to change as a major influence in the country. In order to understand how rock went from a sign of rebellion to a cultural icon, it is necessary to understand where it came from.

    Read More

  • Christos Tsiolkas's Loaded as Grunge Writing

    1085 Words  | 3 Pages

    Drug references, homosexuality, anonymous homosexual encounters, trans gender characters, cultural/sexual identity, a father’s sexual abuse towards his cross dressing son, place, and swearing are the elements in Loaded, besides the swearing and drug references none of these elements are in grunge music. What exactly makes it grunge? Grunge music is about freedom, being free to do what you want, social discomforts, and social observations/commentary. Loaded on the other hand are 151 pages of subtle complaining since it is difficult to recall him liking anything. The lead character Ari is torn between his cultural and sexual identity, hates conformity, the consumption of drugs to get out of his hated reality, use of music when he has no drugs, coming up with narrow-minded conclusions based on generalizations, and lack of future direction which all doesn’t sound very grunge.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Rock And Roll Today And 1950's

    1392 Words  | 3 Pages

    The rise of rock and roll into the limelight is to a large extent attributed to the teenagers of the 1950’s. Early rock music listened to by teenagers during the 1950’s was formed by blending together Rhythm and blues with country music. This kind of ...

    Read More

  • Country Rock Music In The 1970's

    1812 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the 1950’s country rock was an unknown genre to many mainstream audiences and with the emergence of rockabilly artists in the late 1960’s country rock grew and continued to grow in popularity during the 1970’s through the 1990’s because of style, sound, and the new way country rock audiences perceived it. Country rock from the 1950’s to the 1990’s has been perceived similarly and differently by its audiences over time because of it’s original country sound and its similar rock sound.

    Read More

  • Nirvana - Nevermind

    1156 Words  | 3 Pages

    There possibly isn't an album in history that is as genre defining as Nirvana's Nevermind. Released in 1991, it single handedly was responsible for the birth of what became to be known as grunge and has gone on to sell over 10 million copies in the United States alone (Stuessy, Joe). It reached number 1 in 1991 and was the first album to bring Seattle grunge to the mainstream audience (Stuessy, Joe). Nevermind is a mix of slow, dark songs and fast paced grunge rock songs. With its grinding guitars, pounding drums, and lead singer, Kurt Cobain's distinctive voice, Nevermind found a distinctive way to fuse alternative punk with 70's rock (Nirvana, Nevermind).

    Read More

  • History of Rock and Roll

    1146 Words  | 3 Pages

    In conclusion this report has helped us understand the significance of Music in America. Also, the impact it has on music we listen too. Music is very much like a big chain reaction. Rock ‘N’ Roll, much like music today, stood out and was in a way rebellious. Parents now hate Rap and we love it. People in the 70’s loved Rock ‘N’ Roll and parents hated it. This shows that maybe no matter how much older people deny it, the time gap and generation gap is not too far apart. Without Rock ‘N’ Roll the World would without a doubt be changed. Any guess to that of which way would be a good one.

    Read More

  • Rock And Roll Impact On Culture

    956 Words  | 2 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • How Rock and Roll Changed America

    1919 Words  | 4 Pages

    Rock and Roll was the start of a new revolution in America. It introduced the world to many of the famous artists that continue to be a part of our lives today. "Artists who became popular in the 1950s such as Elvis, began to pave the way for others such as Jerry Lee Lewis and Buddy Holly" (The History of Rock 'n' Roll until 1960). With the introduction of rock 'n' roll, there came many new changes to the lives of many Americans. Rock and Roll was a major contributor for the change in teens' behavior in the 1950s because it encouraged new freedoms for teenagers, encouraged new fads among teenagers, and caused a generation gap.

    Read More

  • The History Of Rock And Roll

    816 Words  | 2 Pages

    Such as the tight leather pants and jackets, ripped jeans and jackets. Slick hair for men and frizzed up hair for women. It all became very popular in a variety of ages. No matter what are you were that was the style and people wanted to wear it. Hair styles were also very popular in all age ranges. From the oldest to the youngest, everyone wanted the slick hair for men and proofed up for women. Along with all the fashion rock and roll also brought along the popularity of the motorcycle as a method of transportation. Anyone that listened to rock and roll wanted to own one and ride one. Rock and roll also became a way of

    Read More

  • Nirvana’s Effect on American Culture and Society

    1392 Words  | 3 Pages

    The American rock band Nirvana impacted American culture and society by paving the way for the punk rock subculture into mainstream corporate America. Punk rock music stems from the rock genre but has its own agenda. The crux of punk rock is that it is a movement of the counterculture against the norms of society. Punk rock in itself is made up of a subculture of people who rejected the tameness of rock and roll music during the 1970s. (Masar, 2006, p. 8). The music stresses anti-establishment and anti-authoritarian ideas in its lyrics as well as scorns political idealism in American society. Before Nirvana unintentionally made punk rock a multi-million dollar commercialized genre of music, underground rock paved the way for the punk rock genre by creating core values that punk rockers drew upon.

    Read More

  • Rise Of Rock And Roll

    1520 Words  | 4 Pages

    Rock and Roll is commonly known as the greatest music ever created. Most people do not know that Rock and Roll emerged out of the United States in the 1950s. Artists during this time like Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, and Bob Dylan were the first major stars among the birth of Rock and Roll in America. Since the 1950s, we have seen a rise in Rock and Roll culture. A peak in the 1960s-1970s was when the world began a musical, political, and social revolution. The revolution takes place during some tense times in the world- The Vietnam War, Political Issues with Cuba, JFK Presidency/Assassination, Malcolm X’s Assassination, Martin Luther King’s Assassination — you name it. The world was in a turmoiled state of mind, but what

    Read More

  • The Evolution of Rock and Roll Music

    1240 Words  | 3 Pages

    ... The. The History of Rock and Roll. Michigan: Lucent Books, 2003. Miles, Barry.

    Read More

  • Culture and Music of the 70's

    1856 Words  | 4 Pages

    Music is an outlet to all aspects of life and culture is a significant way of forming people and the way they live. Although not always seen directly culture has an overbearing influence on the music that is produced and made popular. The political Climate of the early seventies was full of fire with issues such as Vietnam and constant protest throughout the county. Later in the 70’s the end of the Vietnamese conflict brought the rise of the Watergate scandal and Iran Contra. These issues swept headlines and ingrained people’s thoughts. Social issues also played a big role in the developing culture of the seventies. Protests and constant outbreaks about gay rights and women’s rights seemed to overtake the country in storm. Later in the Decade the social climate changed to a celebration of the Past and a can-do attitude. Political and Social climates had an overbearing influence on the attitude that was being developed throughout the seventies. This climate was also transparent in the music world of this decade. In the early 70’s music lyrics were being created that were representative of the popular method of protest and social change. Music is a common way of expression and during this time artist and groups took the most of their popular music by expressing viewpoints on present issues. In the mid to late seventies the birth of new styles that broke from the old seemed to dominate the music industry. These new types of music ranged from disco to television pop. The music of the decade represented the culture and was greatly influenced by events and beliefs of the 70’s. At this time in American history, music and life became closely nit. In the late 1970’s, national issues settl...

    Read More

More about Grunge: The Musical Revolution that Changed America

Open Document