Music Of The 1960s Essay

616 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Social change in America in 1920

In order to determine the extent to which music of the 1960s reflected the main concerns of the period, this essay will focus on, and attempt to elucidate, what is meant by “music of the 1960s”, as well as “the main concerns of the period”; exactly whose concerns they were and the reasons for having them. The essay will attempt to answer the question: “Whose 1960s are we talking about?” In so doing, generalisations and stereotypes will be exposed and examined. Firstly, I have taken the liberty to replace the term “the music”, which may infer exclusivity, suggesting a homogenous style, with “music of the 1960s” as a recognition of a more complex, broader range of musical genres and experiences. In addition to reflecting the main concerns, it will be suggested that, as an agent of social change, songs, and in particular, the lyrics of folk protest songs …show more content…

However, the social and political concerns of the era can be traced back to the late 1950s. Born in Sydney in late 1947, the writer cannot ignore the fact, that the 1960s encompassed the most significant period of her life in terms of the influence music had on her, and her peers, in discovering their metaphorical voice. In saying that, during this period in Australia, America and Great Britain, concerns were continually evolving and changing, with a range of different influences, social groups and degrees of concern and involvement, not only throughout society but on a personal basis. Nothing was static then or is now. Differences existed between the old and the young, the left and the right, the counterculture and the mainstream and a range of musical genres. Essentially, the era was marked by a time of change and for change, as Bob Dylan so aptly wrote:”don't speak too soon, for the wheel's still in spin, for the times they are

Show More
Related

  • Analysis of Music in the 1970's and 1920's

    762 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...ath to dominate their field and branch off into other dominating sub-genres. Those genres, especially in the 1920’s, created the foundation of what we see today in the 21st century. The genres and the creativity produced in these decades were accompanied by entertaining dance and shows that provided the people with a comfortable diversion from their outward life. In addition, music remained a way of spiritual and fun release of the mind and energy. With the radio acting as a distribution center for music, it became a national pastime in which it still ranks number one today for it’s easy access and reaching fields. In conclusion, although the 1920’s saw the birthplace of what is generally known today as the foundation of modern music, the 1970’s matched innovation and creation in the industry which is why music is still a staple in the lives of many people today.

    Read More

  • Political Influence Of 1950's Music In The 1950s

    341 Words  | 1 Pages

    Music in the 1950’s was a lot different than it is now. The things I will be showing you are the Political events, what was popular, and the influence 1950’s music had on this decade

    Read More

  • The Similarities Between The 1960s And 1970's

    822 Words  | 2 Pages

    The music in the 1960s reflected what was going on in the real world. Things such as President Kennedy's assassination, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Vietnam War had a big impact on music and what was being sung about during this time. Bob Dylan is commonly known for the songs he wrote that protested the war, like “Masters of War”, “With God on our Side”, and “Blowin’ in the

    Read More

  • How Did The Swing Era Impact Society

    1252 Words  | 3 Pages

    Music’s role on society has changed drastically through the course of its history as it has become ever so increasingly expansive. Many of the previous musical movements were only for the wealthy as entertainment

    Read More

  • In the 1960's, People Turned to Music for Hope, Peace, and Happiness

    1224 Words  | 3 Pages

    During the 1960s and the early 1970s, music reflected the political and social changes that America was undergoing at the time. Some of these major changes included the African-American civil rights movement and the conflict over America’s role in the Vietnam War. During these hard times, people turned to music for hope, peace, happiness and answers.

    Read More

  • The ‘60s: Culture and Music

    1486 Words  | 3 Pages

    The ‘60s were the age of youth, as millions of children’s from post World War II became teenagers and rebelled against the conservative fifties. Denying civil rights to African-Americans and liberation to teenagers in previous decades and Vietnam War, created a vortexes which lead to massive rebellion against the status qua. Music of the 1960s was characteristic of the revolution that was going on during the decade. It was a time of rebellion and counter-culture in which the teenagers and college students were critical of government, business, religious institution and other various aspects of life. Era marked by civil rights movement, Vietnam War, environment of drug abuse and sexual freedom formed new music like: folk rock, soul and psychedelic rock. These genres starkly contrast the teen idol music of ‘50s pop mainstream. Writes John Covach; “World was exploding, and rock musicians were listening more closely than ever.”(Covach, 152) Such stark contrast in pop music directly relay to changing social culture in America, which further echo’s the relationship between music and culture.

    Read More

  • 1960s Music Essay

    3117 Words  | 7 Pages

    Music throughout time has not only reflected the feeling of the musician but rather the feelings of a group of people at any one time It is important when learning about a period of time to look at the music of the period because it most likely shows the mood of the people and current events of the country. One time period specifically music greatly reflected the political and social culture of the time is the United States of America in the 1960s. One artist during this time was Bob Dylan. His most widely known song was called, “The Times They Are A-Changin”.

    Read More

  • Music Of The 1920s Essay

    619 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the 1920s, it was the birth of Jazz and the Blues. More importantly, black musicians/artists were becoming recognized during this decade, more before than the 1910s, due to this new genre of music. Since these artists were becoming recognized, three songs really catches the eye of this decade and represents the overall historic event of the 1920s; “social changes and profound cultural conflicts.”

    Read More

  • History of Rock and Roll

    1146 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Fifties were a good time to be a white middle class American These years brought an UN-thought of prosperity and confidence to Americans who barely remembered the Great Depression. Popular music of the early fifties mirrored the life of mainstream America: bland predictable and reassuring. Which didn't seem bad after the depre...

    Read More

  • Culture in the 1960’s Music

    616 Words  | 2 Pages

    To conclude, the sixties had their way to write, hear and enjoy music, and I think that influenced a lot in our society, let's think for a moment: If the movements of the sixties never existed, what would have happened to the music of today? Seriously, I don't know.

    Read More

  • Essay On Women In Popular Music

    479 Words  | 1 Pages

    Women in popular music have created a tremendous history in the wake of feminism. They have made their presence visible by identifying themselves as feminists. Being a woman was hard during that stage. Women were not allowed to do many things due to gender inequality such as the right to vote and to own a property. Therefore, from that moment onwards, women decided to stand up and make some changes. During the early stage of feminism, women developed their skills in popular music to create awareness. They associate popular music with feminism. Although there were racial issues between the black and white during that time, both sides continued to establish in different ways, through different genres of music. Black women focused on ‘black genres’ such as blues, jazz, and gospel, whereas white women performed in musical theatres. Female artists such as Lilian Hardin, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and Nina Simone were among the notable exceptions of female instrumentalists during feminism. In this essay, I will assess feminism focusing on the second-wave.

    Read More

  • 1960s Music Influence

    537 Words  | 2 Pages

    The years 1960-1969 were very impressionable years. With events that changed America , turning the innocence and hope of American people into violence and anger. The young nation of the 60s were the most influential of all ,with rioting about war or turning music into culture. This was a completely different america than it was years before . In a Music standpoint artists such as The Beatles , Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix were changing the way music was made . They were changing music into an artform , a way for people to express their feelings , beliefs and ideas. The Music of the 1960s evolved into an artform which lead the path for American music of today.

    Read More

  • Music And Youth Culture In The 1950's

    1315 Words  | 3 Pages

    Music has helped provided us with ways to express human emotion and take us to another place. As time has progressed music has evolved, changing styles of music and creating a wide range of genres. Transforming for many decades, music has been able to speak the language of generations from generations. Aside from their music, dress and fashion, parental and social expectations were different in fifties teen lives as well. In this essay I will discuss the decade of a teen from the fifties as compared to modern day teens, and the message they both deliver on society.

    Read More

  • The Influence of Protest Music during the 1960’s And Beyond

    3810 Words  | 8 Pages

    The 1960’s was one of the most controversial decades in American history because of not only the Vietnam War, but there was an outbreak of protests involving civil and social conditions all across college campuses. These protests have been taken to the extent where people either have died or have been seriously injured. However, during the 1960’s, America saw a popular form of art known as protest music, which responded to the social turmoil of that era, from the civil rights movement to the war in Vietnam. A veritable pantheon of musicians, such as Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan sang their songs to encourage union organizers to protest the inequities of their time, creating a diverse variety of popular protest music, which has reached out to the youthful generations everywhere demanding for a revolutionary change. The protest music took the children of the 1960’s to a completely new different level. Musicians of this generation were not going to sit and do nothing while the government lied to the people about what was going on in Vietnam. Instead, they took their guitar-strumming troubadours from the coffee houses, plugged them in, and sent the music and the message into the college dorm rooms and the homes of the youth of America. However, as decades went by, protest music does not have much of an impact as it use to because of the way things have changed over the years. Through the analysis of the music during the 1960’s, there shall be an understanding on how the different genres of protest music has affected social protesters based on how musicians have become the collective conscience of that generation through their lyrics and music and the main factors that contributed to the lack of popula...

    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 Music Of The 1960s Essay

Open Document