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Music and Politics

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The Viz:
The song American Idiot is pretty much that; all Americans - except of course for good wholesome extremists like himself - is a propaganda-eating, homophobic redneck.  It's okay to disagree with people's beliefs or whatever, hell, dissent is what causes progress, but generalizing huge groups (side note -- Mr. Armstrong was raised and California and knows shit about the people he's stereotyping) and degrading them to some ignorant stereotype is bullshit.

I think the problem is that extremists tend to make up the majority of musicians talking about politics in their work.  As an uber-moderate, I find it difficult to respect someone who adheres to either far end of the spectrum.  That's where you get intolerance and hate on both sides.  Nobody sings songs about how "this isn't great, but it's kind of okay" because nobody wants to listen to music about listening to others' opinions and being an all-around reasonable guy.

Sox:
I already explained this in the Green Day thread we had not too long ago, but I'd have to look for it. That is NOT what American Idiot is about. The "American Idiot" of the song is NOT the stereotype that you are referring to, but the 'everyman' that he relates to on a personal level. People are taking select lyrics from a song out of context and interpreting his 'clever' metaphors literally.
Did you know, White Rabbit is actually about drugs? Did you also know that Billie Joe Armstrong is not an "extremist" by any stretch of the word? The same applies to the majority of musicians talking politics in their work. Making a song about your political beliefs is by no means an "extremist" activity. Deeming anybody who says something like 'the president sucks and the war is bullshit' in a song a political extremist seems pretty ignorant to me. Green Day are no more extremist than I am.
The 'politics' in Green Day never extend beyond social observation and commentary. There is no preaching, there isn't really any 'hate' or 'intolerance'. Just disappointment. Their music, their choice. Nobody is forcing anybody to listen to opinions, so there's no point in complaining about somebody vocalising them. Whether it's Bjork, Green Day, you or me.

Politics in music are just opinions in music.
Opinions in art and music? I'm for it.
Let's all have cake.

Hat:
No way I only listen to music about cold hard, empirical facts.

FOR EVERY ACTION
AND THIS AINT NO AXIOM
MY HOMIE NEWTON SAYS THAT THERES AN EQUAL REACTION

Spluff:
If I go to see a musician and instead, they rant about politics, I will be pissed off.
Likewise, if I go to a political debate and they whip out a guitar and play music, I will be pissed off.

I'm fine with people expressing their political views in a song (if thats what gives them inspiration and passion, then all the better) - if the musics good, I don't give a fuck what they're singing about. But giving speeches about your beliefs or doing other stupid political stunts is going too far, imo. If I you want people to listen to you rant about politics, become a politician. People are listening to you for your music, not because of your political stance.

pilsner:
Most of the time, when a musician says something about politics, I wish they'd just shut up.

Of course, I could say the same thing about politicians....

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