should musicians talk about politic?

Santa_Fe · #11 03-18-2003, 07:03 PM

There is an amazing debate on Backstage right now about the war. And it's there because Jon encouraged the fans to think and debate.

I think he did a right thing. It's not like he talked about it for 30 min. He spent less than a minute on that, but look at the debate that caused.

yomamasofat · #12 03-18-2003, 07:04 PM

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Originally Posted by Mousebounce

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Originally Posted by Becky

I don't have a problem with musicians expressing their opinions in interviews, but I do think it crosses a line when they use a stage to express their opinions. And, yes, that includes Bon Jovi. A person does not PAY for a concert to hear a political agenda. If a musician wants to do a political show, they shouldn't charge people to listen to their opinions--unless those opinions are clearly represented in their music and the opinions are part of the act. I also think it's a bad move on the part of a musician to use their stage to express their political views: look at the backlash Natalie Maines and the Dixie Chicks are getting.

Becky

Notice that has soon as Natalie got back to the states, she apologized. I think they got caught up in the Anti-American sentiment in Europe. Once they got back, the received instant backlash, which was well-deserved.

It could be their management doing damage control. Remember Natalie used to say that she's against Toby Keith's song Courtesy Of the Red White n Blue which is about kicking other country's ass. I think she is truly an anti-war person, but hey, that isn't gonna help her popularity.

Becky · #13 03-18-2003, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mousebounce

Notice that has soon as Natalie got back to the states, she apologized. I think they got caught up in the Anti-American sentiment in Europe. Once they got back, the received instant backlash, which was well-deserved.

I listen to a couple of country stations and the backlash is brutal. Many people consider her apology too little too late and a lot of stations (not in this area) have quit playing the Dixie Chicks at all. A lot of people are asking the local stations to stop playing them and some of the DJs want to, but one is owned by Clear Channel and they won't allow it. The other is owned locally, so I'm wondering what they will do.

Becky

walter · #14 03-18-2003, 07:12 PM

some people do a career talking about politic in their whole albums. why couldn't BJ do one or two with their optimistic point of view? something like "yeah, they're all rotten to the core, fulling their pockets from the blood of war, but one day they'll lose the game they play, roll of a dice- hell to pay".... I'm not a poet but something like this should be great! Hook Me Up is about the Israel conflict, it has a political base for the lyrics. Dry County too, it's about the reagan-bush era... after all, they're not 20 years old anymore, they can say what they think with their adult point of view

Freddie · #15 03-18-2003, 07:17 PM

If it is Bono, yes.

Mike McRock · #16 03-18-2003, 09:11 PM

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Originally Posted by choclady

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Originally Posted by Mike McRock

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Originally Posted by choclady

I think they have the right to voice their opinions, even on stage. It's not like the whole show will be affected just because Jon mentions he disapproves of the war. He can say whatever he likes, and so can anyone else. As long as the right of free speech exists, people should be allowed to say their thoughts, it's what makes democracy so valuable.
I do agree, however, that it doesn't really belong to rock music. But as I've said before, I don't think it will affect the way people receive the show.

that is true. But still, he's bringing in an issue that divides people. Some people will be offended by his views, and thus he's alianating himself from them. OK, maybe some peole don't see war as that controversial an issue, but if I was at a concert an Jon was singing a pro war song, I'd be very offended, and would hate it. What if Jon talks about hating Jews, or Black people? Is it right for him to bring this up in a concert, where there are going to be people who find this opinion offensive? Like I said, I think that rock music is a great leveler. I dont' know what happened to Jon, because in the past he's always said he keeps his own political views and beliefs for himself, friends and family. This is the reason why he was allowed into The USSR to do the Moscow Peace festival, only because he kept these beliefs to himself. If he'd ahve started to air his beliefs on communism, and the cold war, then he would have been banned.

i can see where you are coming from but dont you think there is a great span between someone saying he hates jews and someone disapproving of a war? I don't see this as an insult to people...
But I don't think Jon will say it at a show again because now people know. He's not a peace activist per se.

One is more controversial, one is going to upset more people.... But by actively protesting (which is what singing a protest song is) he is going to offend some people. He may not offend you which is fine, he woudln't offend me with a anti war song, which is also fine, but it's not going to be for everybody. If it was pro war, I would be offended.... It's not like he's just making a passing comment, or a 'joke', which would be fine, he's setting asside, to try to put a political message over to an audiance. If 1 person out of 50 000 is offended, then it's a -VE move, and has caused a barrier between the band and that person, which isn't the point of the music....
.

choclady · #17 03-18-2003, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike McRock

Quote:

Originally Posted by choclady

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike McRock

Quote:

Originally Posted by choclady

I think they have the right to voice their opinions, even on stage. It's not like the whole show will be affected just because Jon mentions he disapproves of the war. He can say whatever he likes, and so can anyone else. As long as the right of free speech exists, people should be allowed to say their thoughts, it's what makes democracy so valuable.
I do agree, however, that it doesn't really belong to rock music. But as I've said before, I don't think it will affect the way people receive the show.

that is true. But still, he's bringing in an issue that divides people. Some people will be offended by his views, and thus he's alianating himself from them. OK, maybe some peole don't see war as that controversial an issue, but if I was at a concert an Jon was singing a pro war song, I'd be very offended, and would hate it. What if Jon talks about hating Jews, or Black people? Is it right for him to bring this up in a concert, where there are going to be people who find this opinion offensive? Like I said, I think that rock music is a great leveler. I dont' know what happened to Jon, because in the past he's always said he keeps his own political views and beliefs for himself, friends and family. This is the reason why he was allowed into The USSR to do the Moscow Peace festival, only because he kept these beliefs to himself. If he'd ahve started to air his beliefs on communism, and the cold war, then he would have been banned.

i can see where you are coming from but dont you think there is a great span between someone saying he hates jews and someone disapproving of a war? I don't see this as an insult to people...
But I don't think Jon will say it at a show again because now people know. He's not a peace activist per se.

One is more controversial, one is going to upset more people.... But by actively protesting (which is what singing a protest song is) he is going to offend some people. He may not offend you which is fine, he woudln't offend me with a anti war song, which is also fine, but it's not going to be for everybody. If it was pro war, I would be offended.... It's not like he's just making a passing comment, or a 'joke', which would be fine, he's setting asside, to try to put a political message over to an audiance. If 1 person out of 50 000 is offended, then it's a -VE move, and has caused a barrier between the band and that person, which isn't the point of the music....
.

I never thought of it this way. But you are right.

Supersonic · #18 03-18-2003, 09:22 PM

Aloha !

I was at a Bryan Adams concert at March 17, which was great. He usually ends the show with The Best Of Me, but not this time. He said the following after The Best Of Me :

Since we will know in one or two hours if the Americans will start a war I'd like to sing a song for you. I wrote it back in 1991 during the Golf War, and unfortunately the song is still fresh.

Or something like that, and he started with an acoustic version of Don't Drop That Bomb On Me. Now I don't care if he gives his political opinion since he doesn's start a debate. He just introduces one of his songs. And why does an artist always have to do that in a happy way ?

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

Mike McRock · #19 03-18-2003, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supersonic

Aloha !

I was at a Bryan Adams concert at March 17, which was great. He usually ends the show with The Best Of Me, but not this time. He said the following after The Best Of Me :

Since we will know in one or two hours if the Americans will start a war I'd like to sing a song for you. I wrote it back in 1991 during the Golf War, and unfortunately the song is still fresh.

Or something like that, and he started with an acoustic version of Don't Drop That Bomb On Me. Now I don't care if he gives his political opinion since he doesn's start a debate. He just introduces one of his songs. And why does an artist always have to do that in a happy way ?

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

Of cource, but that's his song. He wrote it with a political agenda, and as far as I know, his songwritting does take this form sometimes. He justified a song, and his reasons for playing that particular song. It's fair enough if you are, or have at times been a political voice, as with Springsteen, Dylan e.t.c.

However, Bon Jovi for me aren't this. Especially as they were covering somebody elses song, and it didn't fit within the context of the concert, and isn't what the band is all about...

I could live with the band doing something like Something To Believe in as a sort of statement, as it's one of their own songs, and he woudln't have to take an active stance against, it would be more about what inspires them on a personal level, rather than trying to change peoples views (which is what a protest song is all about, make some sort of stand or difference)

Mike · #20 03-19-2003, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike McRock

Quote:

Originally Posted by choclady

I think they have the right to voice their opinions, even on stage. It's not like the whole show will be affected just because Jon mentions he disapproves of the war. He can say whatever he likes, and so can anyone else. As long as the right of free speech exists, people should be allowed to say their thoughts, it's what makes democracy so valuable.
I do agree, however, that it doesn't really belong to rock music. But as I've said before, I don't think it will affect the way people receive the show.

that is true. But still, he's bringing in an issue that divides people. Some people will be offended by his views, and thus he's alianating himself from them. OK, maybe some peole don't see war as that controversial an issue, but if I was at a concert an Jon was singing a pro war song, I'd be very offended, and would hate it. What if Jon talks about hating Jews, or Black people? Is it right for him to bring this up in a concert, where there are going to be people who find this opinion offensive? Like I said, I think that rock music is a great leveler. I dont' know what happened to Jon, because in the past he's always said he keeps his own political views and beliefs for himself, friends and family. This is the reason why he was allowed into The U

Maybe, but I believe that perhaps enough ppl aren't thinking about it as much as they should - from both sides & comments like this will at least make the person think - hang on - maybe I should know something about it. Not necessarily agree, but show a bit more interest.

& unfortunately issues such as this are a bit too important to start worrying about 'offending' a few ppl - if thats what u call it.

Esp. When so many real lives r at stake.

That is a powerful tool!!

Mike

should musicians talk about politic?

NBJ - Everything Else