Music is a creation capable of greatly influencing and inspiring the people that it reaches. Many musicians and scholars suggest that a generation may even be defined by its choice of music. Music is even revered by some as a form of therapy, believed to have the ability to reach a person's subconscious, perhaps speaking to them subliminally. According to Scotsman Stewart Tawes, strong Scottish bagpipes players marched in front of the troops as they headed for battle. This music reached the hearts of the soldiers and inspired them to remain strong and brave. During the American Revolution, snare drums were used in a similar fashion. Although music has played a critical role in influencing many of history's revolutions, none is more evident than in the cases of the French Revolution and the more recent New York Punk Movement.
[...] Violence is commonly associated with Punk Rock music but the case is the same with many of France's revolutionary songs. In “Réveil du peuple” meaning Alarm of the People”[11], the theme is a violent revenge for the Reign of Terror. With lyrics referring to war, death, blood, and slaughter and encouraging an act of violent vengeance, it would be naïve to believe that such themes are only found in modern music. That passion is a major part of what makes it so revolutionary. [...]
[...] Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk. New York: Grove Press Punk: The Whole Story. New York: DK Publishing Todd Leopold Revolution That Saved Rock” 2003, http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/11/13/punk.box/index.html (October 25, 2006) William Hays, “French Music,” 1997, http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/DF_music.shtml (October 17, 2006) Hell, Richard. “Blank Generation”. Lyrics. Blank Generation. Ork Records McNeil, Legs and McCain, Gillian. Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk. New York: Grove Press Punk: The Whole Story. New York: DK Publishing Revolution That Saved Rock” 2003, http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/11/13/punk.box/index.html (October 25, 2006) ibid [...]
[...] This classical style emerged from the stricter “baroque” which was a change almost revolutionary in itself among musicians.[9] Early classical music was written for leaders such as kings and generals. This was done with the temporarily successful purpose of inspiring political loyalty from the citizens. The French Revolution was about the citizens rebelling against the monarchy which wasn't doing its job of taking care of them. The citizens developed an overall resentment for the monarchy because of their lack of help. [...]
[...] Swing dancing and jazz music were both considered to be inappropriate and were accused of being the cause of the degradation of society and therefore banned in many places when they first emerged. Even today, certain types of music stand trial, accused of being the instigator of violent behavior. Although this has yet to be proven to be the cause of extreme violence, it can be seen throughout history that music can indeed be an instigator. This is not to say that music acts as the sole cause for such behavior, as each case must be examined on its own. [...]
[...] This style of music was much more personal and written with the emotion of the musician.[17] In the late 1980's to 1990's, after Punk had reached its peak and the culture began to slowly decline, a new form of revolutionary music emerged. Similar to the course taken during the French Revolution when classical turned to romantism, this new culture, beginning in the underground just as its predecessor punk had this new type of music was more emotional and personal. Musicians of this time realized that they wanted their music to be less about politics and more about themselves. [...]
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