Music and politics


A post yesterday about U2 prompted me to listen to them today. And one comment from yesterday got me to thinking. The author wrote dismissively that they should "keep their politics to themselves." (Those may or may not have been the exact words, but that gets to the point.) As I've been listening this afternoon, I've thought: I'm neither a born-again Christian nor a political leftie, but I do love this band. And then I thought further: If I listened only to bands or singer-songwriters whose politics were like mine, I surely wouldn't spin a whole lot of recordings. (For the record, I consider myself a radically pragmatic centrist with occasional libertarian leanings. Got any bands who'd fill that bill?) I care about the music, and not about what the people making that music happen to believe. Am I alone in this? Do others dismiss certain artists because of their politics -- or religion or the kind of car they drive or whatever else?
hodu
Bongofury, I think it is you who has it all wrong.
I really do not care about the performers personal point of view. If that viewpoint is in a song that I like then he can express it to me that way.

I say give all people a freedom of choice.
A choice to listen to the Artists blabber or not.

Why would you object to the Artist presenting his personal viewpoints at the end of the concert?
I dont care about politics, the music is the only way to make me forget about politics. I rather listen relax and enjoy music.
If the money was in right wing politics Hollyood would be building a statue to the g-d George Bush. Artists follow the money- like the rest of us.
Money is in right wing politics. Listen to your AM radio.
Artists have less political impact than Right leaning radio hosts.

Artist seem to be less astute politically and cause driven looking through a microscope rather than a fisheye lens. I also believe Fox News is the #1 new network which translates into $$$.
"Dump Trump"

My new royalty free slogan for the Donald Trump Presidential campaign.
What's wrong with Donald? He's got just south of 8 bil in the bank, doesn't find ALL Mexicans objectionable, "some MIGHT be very good people" and has no hidden agenda, he says what he thinks. He seems a reflection of everything many in this crazy country admire, a narcisstic reflection of what they wish they were but will never be, think KIM. Sometimes it seems we're living in a fantasy while the REAL world is plotting it's next move.
Politics, Religion, and other dangerous discussion topics tend to be polarizing in the sense one is ambivalent about them or its part of their core identity. Even when music is apolitical the artist in question is likely to have artistic & philosophical thoughts influenced by similar circles; and what is music if nothing else than one externalizing their own personality & interests?

To answer the question, I tend to dislike music whereas I disagree with the personal beliefs of the artists regardless the focus of the music. I do have exceptions sure, and no I don't know the people behind everything I listen to; however when I hear new music & proceed to look up the artists behind it I am usually correct as to their affiliations provided they're public. And I have abandoned albums I previously liked due to change in ideology on my side, especially in the case where I had a falling out with one of my favorite musicians.

Ironically as harsh as I sound here I'm more likely to spin apolitical music than political, I'm involved enough with politics as is.
Mapman - I generally appreciate your posts but did ya really feel compelled to resurrect a thread from 2009 in order to favor us with that bit of witticism??? Guess so - but wish you hadn't. (Here we go again).
Hmm why did I do That?

Good question. I don't have a good answer. The Donald must be getting to me. 🙈