Ed Vulliamy has written today in The Observer in praise of Taylor Swift for expressing explicit political views in favour of the Democrats, of LGBTQ rights, and against what she describes as ‘the systemic racism we still see in this country’. These might seem unexceptionable views to express, but Vulliamy’s points are that, firstly, she has a lot to lose with her middle America appeal, and, in particular, that such an explicit political stance from a pop star is pretty rare these days, compared to the late sixties/early seventies.
He has a go at a number of stars for their political silence. I don’t agree with that – I have never felt that musicians should be obliged to speak up politically, any more than they should be beaten up when they do so. But he has a point, doesn’t he, about the relative political tameness of major pop stars these days? Or are there in fact plenty of current examples out there? My sense is that there is plenty of political songwriting going on, but that its a different kind of politics – of gender, identity and behaviour rather than geo-political protest. Recent examples welcome.
Blue Boy says
Strikes me that a lot of the most overt protest songs and stances today are coming from Black American artists – like this obvious example
Blue Boy says
Incidentally Vulliamy is a superb writer – his Guardian website page of historic articles is a real treasure trove of pieces on politics (he was on the front line in Sarajevo and Bosnia) and music of all kinds. And I urge you to check out his recent Private Passions on Radio 3 – one of the best editions of that terrific programme I have ever heard.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0000nkb
Black Celebration says
is it a fair observation to say that in the UK if an artist doesn’t ever refer to politics, then they probably vote comservative? Cliff, Elton, Rod for example. Nothing wrong with that, but it’s curious that you only get pop songs championing issues from the left.
Mike_H says
I suspect some of those silent ones, who you suspect of being Tory, just “Don’t Do Politics”.
i.e. are completely wrapped up in their careers and are uninformed and uninterested when it comes to politics. Successful pop “stars” can be completely shielded from needing to give such matters any thought at all. It would not occur to such people to vote.
After all, there are plenty of “civilians” who avoid anything to do with politics, as election turnout figures regularly demonstrate. Pop stars are just as likely to be of the same mind.
Then there is that dimwitted tendency towards not voting “because they’re all the bloody same”, “it makes no difference, really” or “it only encourages the fuckers”.
Moose the Mooche says
Out in the real world, loads of people have no interest in/knowledge of politics whatsoever. It’s a big deal when voter turnout clears 75% anywhere – that’s at least a quarter of the people on the electoral roll, let alone a quarter of people full stop, that never vote.
Rigid Digit says
Edwyn Collins once sang “too many Protest singers, not enough Protest songs”.
And he was probably right.
However, there are some bands and artists whose career has been built on political comment (usually from the left as cited above).
Billy Bragg is a prime example (even if he seems to have mellowed somewhat in recent years).
Another band oft-noted for their political stance -tiff Little Fingers – included a track on their last album commenting upon the impending Scottish Devloution vote.
(The lyrics can also be applied to Brexit).
Apologies for bringing that one up again, but:
Stiff Little Fingers – Throwing It All Away
The album also includes a general broadside against Political Leaders (Liars Club) and a note of resignation that nothing much changes (Since Yesterday Was Here), and a comment on the abuse scandal in the Catholic Church (Guilty As Sin).
Mike_H says
I always interpreted that Edwyn Collins line as being about the pointless whinyness about trivial stuff in a lot of Indie music.
Rigid Digit says
For the purposes of my point, I took the literal version.
Your interpretation is probably closer to the tone of the text.
“pointless whyniness” – it was Bill Bailey who did a shoe-gaze indie type “oh I’m so depressed” song about how he was suffering from mobile phone service failure
Podicle says
I think the interest in Ms Swift is amplified because she was the poster girl of the far right, who had somehow convinced themselves that she was one of them.
And concerning political songs from the right, there are numerous examples in US country music.
Morrison says
Marc Ribot’s new album is full of protest songs – including this rare new outing from Tom Waits – a version of a 1930s Italian anti-fascist song. Also features tracks by Steve Earle and Tift Merritt – and a beautiful song by Meshell Ndegeocello – full album on YouTube.