Research the genre of music stated in the brief: protest songs. Produce a short video or vlog which describes the history of the genre and the acts that are within the genre.
Genre stated in the brief : Protest Songs
Definitions of protest:
- Verb: Express an objection to what someone has said or done.
- Verb: Declare firmly or emphatically in the face of stated or implied doubt or in response to an accusation.
- A protest can fit all three of these definitions.
OCR : have defined a protest song as: any music that addresses a social, cultural, political or economic issue or may be adopted by a minority or under-represented group as expressing their identity.
The History of the Genre
- The first American protest songs were crafted for a purpose, to draw people together around a central mission Grounded in a simple verses and refrains, the tunes were often lifted from hymns or remade from songs people already knew, with lyrics frequently written as easy-to-learn call and response. These songs were less about beauty and finesse than utility and purpose.
- The tradition goes back to the country's funding. The US created the first ever protest song "Free America", a revouluntary War call to action song by minuteman Joseph Warren. "Yankee Doodle", now popular as a children's song, was actually written by British soliders mocking their American counterparts during the Revouluntinary war, but Americans took up the tune ironically to toss it back in the Brits face.
- More of the first widley known protest songs in the US came from slaves, mostly drip rived from hymns with themes of freedom or escape. "Go Down, Moses", Based on the Old Testament stories of Moses"freeing the isralities from slaverly in Eygpt. Spirituals provided an opportunity to gather together, share feelings, and lament to be joyful.
- As America pulled out of the Civil War and its class and race divides evolved, protest music likewise shifted and adapted with the music of the early 20th century. Electrical music recording began to take hold in the 1930s, and record players and radios surged into wide distribution.
-The advent of this new technology meant a song could proliferate outside of the oral tradition, and guided music into its first stage of “pop,” with genres like big band, jazz, and ragtime. Protest music followed suit, with tunes and lyrics that were more complex than the simple, easy-to-learn Civil War–era songs.
Folk Music
- The 1960's and 1970's saw the rise of folk music, and many artists used the predominantly acoustic form to share their political views. No name is as synonymous with folk music in this era than Bob Dylan, who – despite denying being a writer of protest songs – produced many songs (including ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ and ‘Times They Are a Changin’’) which were adopted as anthems by civil rights and Vietnam War protestors.
1980s and 1990s
- The 1980s and 1990s saw fewer protest songs, perhaps due to the end of the Vietnam War giving way to a relatively calmer political climate. But protest songs didn’t disappear altogether, some notable tracks from these decades include:
- NWA's 'Fuck the Police' - focused on police brutality and the experiences of young black men on the streets of Los Angeles harshly criticised George W Bush, Al Gore and American politics as a whole
- Rage Against The Machine’s ‘Testify’ – featured a music video which harshly criticised George W Bush, Al Gore and American politics as a whole
- The 1990s also gave rise to riot grrrls, a movement of young feminists associated with aggressive punk-rock music. While the movement was shortlived, it did deliver Bikini Kill’s ‘Rebel Girl’, which was later used in a viral Hilary Clinton video.
9/11 and the Bush era revive the protest song – Almost
- Protest music usually tends to flourish in times of major political upheaval. After a relative lack of civic or social term or in the 90's, it seems like the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001, and the subsequent invasion of Iraq by then President George W. Bush would give protest music a serious rival. But while the post 911 era Foster the People of emotion, frustration, and unrest helped singers produce some standout tracks, the lack of a unifying political movement left a millennial protest song resurgence dead in the water.
Acts within the genre
- Singers whom usually make and preform protest songs are those whom are interested in change, to open are eyes and addressing a social, cultural, political or economic issue or may be adopted by a minority or under-represented group as expressing their identity. This change is ally close to their heart maybe due to upbringing or issues in our modern society. These singers are able to realise this to their large fan base, spreading the message and bringing communities together.
Great research! Ms Cope
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