Protest Songs Research Task
Protest Songs - A History
-Protest songs have been around for a very long time. They are an outlet for a number of things and feelings such as angst, anger, frustration and annoyance.
-Songs have always been a method used by people to express their emotions in the hopes of changing a situation.
A progression through time:
- The very first protest songs in America were very simple and short songs that were sung as a protest against war. The tunes were mostly copied from already known songs, so that the new protest songs were easy to remember, and could be sung by more people, and thus have more of an impact.
- e.g. “Yankee Doodle” and “Free America”
- Slavery also played a big part in the creation of protest songs in the US. People were desperate for an escape, and with strict rules and an unfair society, music was a way for people to express their distress and demand change. Protest songs also worked to unite people in these situations.
During these times, the lyrics were mostly simple, with repetitive verses. This helped to have more of an impact as the message could be almost drilled into your head.
New Technology
-This caused a change in protest music.
-In the 1930’s, the radio and record players were very popular. This meant that protest songs were more widely in circulation. As a result, they were developed more, with more complex tunes and verses that were less repetitive. Inspiration was taken from other songs in other genres.
-Folk music was very prominent in protest music. People used the style to create protest songs, as it was very popular, and people enjoyed to listen to it.
-Concerts and live performances became more popular, meaning that the audience could become more involved in the song and be united and become part of the protest themselves.
-Soul music became popular in the 1950’s.
-“Freedom songs” were a way for people to protest about racial inequality, and the racism and prejudice that black people were facing.
-e.g. “What's Going On?” - by Marvin Gaye
-In the 80’s and 90’s, people became very interested in rock and rap music.
-Protest songs were focused more on issues in society, rather than politics and the authority.
-E.g. “Fuck Tha Police” - By N.W.A
-Feminism also inspired a plethora of protest songs, as the issues of gender inequality became more noticed.
-Now, protest music is expressed through a variety of genres.
-This is because people are interested in a wide range of music styles, and different styles are key to protesting and reflecting different issues.
-Protest songs have been around for a very long time. They are an outlet for a number of things and feelings such as angst, anger, frustration and annoyance.
-Songs have always been a method used by people to express their emotions in the hopes of changing a situation.
A progression through time:
- The very first protest songs in America were very simple and short songs that were sung as a protest against war. The tunes were mostly copied from already known songs, so that the new protest songs were easy to remember, and could be sung by more people, and thus have more of an impact.
- e.g. “Yankee Doodle” and “Free America”
- Slavery also played a big part in the creation of protest songs in the US. People were desperate for an escape, and with strict rules and an unfair society, music was a way for people to express their distress and demand change. Protest songs also worked to unite people in these situations.
During these times, the lyrics were mostly simple, with repetitive verses. This helped to have more of an impact as the message could be almost drilled into your head.
New Technology
-This caused a change in protest music.
-In the 1930’s, the radio and record players were very popular. This meant that protest songs were more widely in circulation. As a result, they were developed more, with more complex tunes and verses that were less repetitive. Inspiration was taken from other songs in other genres.
-Folk music was very prominent in protest music. People used the style to create protest songs, as it was very popular, and people enjoyed to listen to it.
-Concerts and live performances became more popular, meaning that the audience could become more involved in the song and be united and become part of the protest themselves.
-Soul music became popular in the 1950’s.
-“Freedom songs” were a way for people to protest about racial inequality, and the racism and prejudice that black people were facing.
-e.g. “What's Going On?” - by Marvin Gaye
-In the 80’s and 90’s, people became very interested in rock and rap music.
-Protest songs were focused more on issues in society, rather than politics and the authority.
-E.g. “Fuck Tha Police” - By N.W.A
-Feminism also inspired a plethora of protest songs, as the issues of gender inequality became more noticed.
-Now, protest music is expressed through a variety of genres.
-This is because people are interested in a wide range of music styles, and different styles are key to protesting and reflecting different issues.
This is a comprehensive and well organised presentation of your research! Consider what kinds of issues are being protested in music currently. Miss Cook :)
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