Can Music Be Used for Social Change?

Music somehow often ends up in our lives, whether we ask for it or not.  Music is a deep and enduring part of human culture, and most people are touched by it in one way or another.

Recently the question came up of whether music really affects efforts to resolve outstanding issues of concern in the world or in specific countries.   In many cases, it seems that music is a kind of leisure activity, and so it is not so much akin to activism, at first glance.  Many people who are actively engaging to influence the situation in their community or country also listen to music, but perhaps in free time, and the two are not too connected together.

One positive effect of music is in its therapeutic and soothing role, so in situations where people have been subject to trauma it can be especially helpful.   The field of music therapy exploits the natural therapeutic potential of music to help people who seek to resolve problems in their life.  Countries which have been subject to civil war or other tragedies would be a particularly appropriate place to utilize this kind of therapy.

Another area that music can link with activism is in the content of the song, the lyrics.  The meaning of the words can have a powerful effect on people, especially when linked with a melody.      However, it does seem that the most popular music (commercial music) usually relates to the subject of love, relationships, etc.  On some occasions, songs with some sociopolitical content can make to popular success, such as Imagine by John Lennon, some Bob Marley songs, or a few songs by artists such as Manu Chao, Nina Simone, Bob Dylan and others.  However, the message is often subtle as the poetic form of lyrics limits more explicit statements.

Although the content of lyrics can be used to promote certain ideas, in my observation it seems that the dominant form of music now, commercial music, does not generally contain this kind of content.  So the utilization of music as a tool to promote various forms of social change is still limited.

Which suggests an opportunity- perhaps music could in the future be more a part of efforts to solve difficulties and obstacles that people face currently!

Well, it would be interesting ot hear if readers agree with me or if they can think of other ways music is used for social change that I didn’t think of…