I have been kind of amazed, with what has gone down the last 6 years, how few artists and musicians have taken a stand against or even spoken out against things like the Iraq War, torture, the rape of our constitution, or corruption.
Some people say there is no place for politics when it comes to art - but I think that’s a cop-out and that the contrary is more true. If musicians are composing about things that they truly have passion about, surely some would take a stand, despite the risks involved.
The only ones I remember taking an early stand were the Dixie Chicks, who were vilified for a simple remark at a concert in Europe (more are espousing political views in their music since the administration has begun to crater).
I am convinced that many artists are as bothered by this stuff as I am, but they can’t bring themselves to express it in their music because of fear: Fear of reprisals from the government; the press; record companies owned by large corporate interests; and, ultimately, the American people.
The reason this bothers me is that when I wonder why we haven’t just thrown the crooks out, much of the problem is related (directly or indirectly) to ignorance. People are just so uninformed (in some cases, by choice). People who open themselves up to information tend to call a spade a spade. And those who don’t live on in a fog of misinformation and meaningless sound bites thinking that everything must be OK.
But musicians have immense power as opinion leaders - even more so than hollywood types do (some of whom have been quite vocal against the administration). Young people are impressionable, and might actually be affected by something that busts into their thoughts from their favorite band or an interview with a star. I’m not naive enough to suggest a song might get them marching in DC or writing their representatives, but it may well them more aware, or interested enough to pay attention.
To be a ‘wordly,’ informed person (which, I presume, at least some pop stars are) and not speak out just makes you part of the problem.
This administration, on EVERY level (domestic or international), has been a bull in a china shop. No, wait, an armored Humvee in a china shop. And there are many who watch it continue its path of destruction, but pretend everything’s OK.
Music played no small part in transforming opinion about the vietnam war (and wildly enough, some of those same artists are around today). But it is the younger bands (with younger fans) that I would like to see speaking out.
So it was a nice surprise to see the new Linkin Park video for their new single, “What I’ve done.” The words by themselves are vague enough to not raise any political flags…but the images in the video say it all:
Powerful stuff:
What I’ve Done - Linkin Park
In this farewell,
There is no blood,
There is no alibi,
Cause I’ve drawn regret,
From the truth,
Of a thousands lies,
So let mercy come and wash away…
What I’ve Done,
I’ll face myself,
To cross out what I’ve become,
Erase myself,
And let go of what I’ve done…
Put to rest,
What you thought of me
While, I clean this slate,
With the hands,
Of uncertainty,
So let mercy come, And wash away…
What I’ve Done,
I’ll face myself,
To cross out what I’ve become,
Erase myself,
And let go of what I’ve done…
For what I’ve done,
I start again,
And whatever pain may come,
Today this ends,
I’m forgiving what I’ve done…
I’ll face myself,
To cross out what I’ve become,
Erase myself,
And let go of what I’ve done…
What I’ve Done,
What I’ve Done,
Forgiving what I’ve done…
Seems like Linkin Park sees the bull in the China shop…