OT Rant: Music

Avatar for cl_shywon
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
OT Rant: Music
20
Tue, 06-28-2005 - 3:08pm

I know not many of you listen to country music, but maybe this applies to rock music as well.


It bugs me that so many songs have come out in the past two years or so about war.

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Avatar for cfk_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-1999
In reply to: cl_shywon
Tue, 06-28-2005 - 3:19pm
I've never really given it much thought but, looking back, companies have been profiting from war since the days of WWI. I'm getting visions of black and white commercials with Rosie the Riviter-types endorsing various household/kitchen appliances. There is something about it that seems amoral.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-07-2004
In reply to: cl_shywon
Tue, 06-28-2005 - 3:24pm

It doesn't really bother me.... I think sometimes I forget that a war is even going on. I wake up in the morning, have a nice hot shower with some great smelling shampoo, cook breakfast or buy it on the way to work - whatever I feel like eating, then I get to work, sit behind a computer for 8 hours, even get to go to lunch with friends or to the mall on my lunch break, then get back in my car, drive home, make dinner, chat w/ friends, watch TV..... and then start the day over again.

Then I'll hear a song on the radio or see images of soldiers on TV and remember - I get to do all this because they are out there doing all that for me. The song, the show - sure someone's making money off of it because that's life - but it is also reminding me of what's going on out there. It keeps me aware. And sometimes it's a much more beautiful medium than the reminders you get on CNN.

Avatar for cl_shywon
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
In reply to: cl_shywon
Tue, 06-28-2005 - 3:55pm

People do do it all the time.

Avatar for cl_shywon
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
In reply to: cl_shywon
Tue, 06-28-2005 - 3:57pm

Maybe the "more beautiful medium" is also a problem.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-07-2004
In reply to: cl_shywon
Tue, 06-28-2005 - 4:28pm

Yowsa! People on this board get supersensitive about other opinions! Just an opinion!! :)

I certainly did not say it was okay - it is just my opinion. And I don't believe all songs written about war glorify death. I mean - wasn't the National Anthem written about war? We're a country of free speech so if people want to write song, make shows, whatever - it's going to happen.

My sister is in the armed forces and her going to war scares me more than the profits of a song. You have to remember too that there are a lot of good people who take the profits from the music and donate it.

Elton John wrote "Goodbye England's Rose" for Princess Diana and donated the proceeds to her causes. It's nice to see that someone besides the already wealthy artist benefits.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
In reply to: cl_shywon
Tue, 06-28-2005 - 4:35pm

"Operation Homecoming" (the TLC show) is something that I really like to watch. I think that it humanizes the people that we send off to harm's way. I feel that it is important to remember why we are at war and what the human costs of war are.

Aside from the fact that I think that TV, movies, music, etc. can bring home a situation that I would not otherwise experience, I think that there is great emotion in war. Some artists draw inspiration from the challenges facing us as a society and I don't see anything wrong with that.

I do get a bit annoyed sometimes but generally it doesn't bother me. Politicians are the same way. If I got mad every time one of them exploited 9/11 for political gain, I wouldn't have a sane moment.

Avatar for cfk_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-1999
In reply to: cl_shywon
Tue, 06-28-2005 - 4:37pm
Well, you are correct, I am one of those who doesn't really listen to country music but, I'm wondering: they ARE artists, is it possible that this is an outlet for them, creatively? Although, most artists of today, especially country, do not write their own music anyway, which would lead me to believe that perhaps they are only doing it for recognition and monetary gain.
Avatar for cl_shywon
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
In reply to: cl_shywon
Tue, 06-28-2005 - 5:23pm

I think you took my tone completely differently than I meant it.

Avatar for cl_shywon
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
In reply to: cl_shywon
Tue, 06-28-2005 - 5:33pm

The show doesn't bother me so much because it seems more personal.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
In reply to: cl_shywon
Tue, 06-28-2005 - 10:08pm
Artists have been creating songs, plays, visual art etc. about war for centuries. They do it to express themselves and/or to provide a message, point of discussion, or even an emotional outlet for others. It's just a part of the human tradition. Yes, they are making money from it, but in return they are providing a service or product that the public wants. Artists have to eat too, ya know. Iri

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