Throughout the ever-changing American society, citizens have always sought out ways to express their thoughts and feelings towards the events that have taken place. One outlet that has allowed Americans to do so in a creative and non-confrontational manor is through music. We can easily go to websites or history books to find facts on what happened in the past but it is a little more difficult to understand how the events of the past made Americans feel. Thanks to music, we can understand easily. From the very beginning, people have used music as a form of both entertainment and communication. Throughout each new decade and each new event in time, the music style and overall purpose changed to highlight certain ideas. From moving west, to civil rights, to economic crises, to wars, and many more, music allowed Americans an outlet to express themselves. Since music was used in this manor, song lyrics serve as great historical evidence to analyze in order to understand the time period in a more personal way.
Even in early America, when citizens had dreams of moving out west, music allowed them to tell of their journey artistically along with give them a form of entertainment. People living out on the open range influenced others through music to join their new journey into the promised land of the west. Along with this movement, others used music as a mechanism to communicate.
Early civil rights movements, especially of Black Americans, utilized music to benefit them in their quest for equality. Throughout early America slaves were prominent since much of the South was a slave society. After the Civil War, when slaves were set free, they had to gradually fight for change. If Black Americans had tried to go straight into demanding change and speaking to Whites about what they wanted, more lives would have been carelessly ended. Through songs, newly freed slaves told of their lives while being enslaves with hopes to gain sympathy from northerners who still had animosity towards the south. This mechanism was a passive aggressive one, which enabled Black Americans to work around the strict society they lived under. As times changed, hostility between whites and blacks was still noticeable but other changes of the time opened the gates for blacks to work for greater equality and freedom.
America went through a period of massive change in which consumerism was booming, women were speaking out, Jazz was a culture, and new identities were being born daily. During this time period everyone was seeking change and trying to define who they were in society. Women took on the flapper image while dancing and singing to Jazz music, performed by both Blacks and Whites, which was a loose and free-spirited genre. Jazz musicians sang individualist styles, which caught the attention of all races, and brought them together to enjoy this form of entertainment. This type of music allowed Blacks and Whites to open their eyes to the similarities between their races and start a new mindset for future generations.
Problems in America were not always Black and Whites; there were also problems that involved both equally such as the Great Depression. During this time many citizens were down in the dumps and looking for hope. Music allowed people to not only express their disappointment in what America had become but also give hope to others that times will get easier. This type of musical ideal was also used during times of war to unite the home front. WWII and the Vietnam war were two trying times in American history that not only took bravery from soldiers but from those staying at home as well. Musicians took this event and produced music to support troops, workers, families, children, wives, and more. When Americans needed hope, they could easily turn on the radio to get a feeling of hope and assurance that the United States would prosper. Even though it might not seem like much, music also gave credit where credit was due. When citizens were feeling underappreciated or as if their role in the war effort was little, music told them otherwise.
As new movement arose, like the Women’s movement, music styles changed to fit its needs. Women have gradually been uplifted in society due to their prominent role whenever times are hard in America. Once other issues were on the back burner, like wars and economy crashes, women stood up for themselves much like early Black Americans did. Music allowed women to respectfully speak out against men in an artistic manor, in order to avoid direct conflict. Through catchy tunes and soulful lyrics, society understood what women wanted to be treated like. This gave leverage when fighting for equality because they could get their ideas across without causing direct conflict or disagreement.
The United States of America has always been a land of a promising future but every group of people had to find their way to true freedom. Not everyone was lucky enough to live a life free of discrimination, so most had to face opposition daily. Just as society is today, there needs to be gradual change or controversy will be great. Throughout history, people have utilized many forms of art to show their self worth and catch the attention of their suppressors. Music is just one of these forms, but one that should definitely be analyzed. Music allowed Americans to express their feelings and unite with listeners who sympathized with their condition or shared their problems. Without music, different groups of people would not of been able to unite so easily and we would not be able to understand history from a personal standpoint.
Even in early America, when citizens had dreams of moving out west, music allowed them to tell of their journey artistically along with give them a form of entertainment. People living out on the open range influenced others through music to join their new journey into the promised land of the west. Along with this movement, others used music as a mechanism to communicate.
Early civil rights movements, especially of Black Americans, utilized music to benefit them in their quest for equality. Throughout early America slaves were prominent since much of the South was a slave society. After the Civil War, when slaves were set free, they had to gradually fight for change. If Black Americans had tried to go straight into demanding change and speaking to Whites about what they wanted, more lives would have been carelessly ended. Through songs, newly freed slaves told of their lives while being enslaves with hopes to gain sympathy from northerners who still had animosity towards the south. This mechanism was a passive aggressive one, which enabled Black Americans to work around the strict society they lived under. As times changed, hostility between whites and blacks was still noticeable but other changes of the time opened the gates for blacks to work for greater equality and freedom.
America went through a period of massive change in which consumerism was booming, women were speaking out, Jazz was a culture, and new identities were being born daily. During this time period everyone was seeking change and trying to define who they were in society. Women took on the flapper image while dancing and singing to Jazz music, performed by both Blacks and Whites, which was a loose and free-spirited genre. Jazz musicians sang individualist styles, which caught the attention of all races, and brought them together to enjoy this form of entertainment. This type of music allowed Blacks and Whites to open their eyes to the similarities between their races and start a new mindset for future generations.
Problems in America were not always Black and Whites; there were also problems that involved both equally such as the Great Depression. During this time many citizens were down in the dumps and looking for hope. Music allowed people to not only express their disappointment in what America had become but also give hope to others that times will get easier. This type of musical ideal was also used during times of war to unite the home front. WWII and the Vietnam war were two trying times in American history that not only took bravery from soldiers but from those staying at home as well. Musicians took this event and produced music to support troops, workers, families, children, wives, and more. When Americans needed hope, they could easily turn on the radio to get a feeling of hope and assurance that the United States would prosper. Even though it might not seem like much, music also gave credit where credit was due. When citizens were feeling underappreciated or as if their role in the war effort was little, music told them otherwise.
As new movement arose, like the Women’s movement, music styles changed to fit its needs. Women have gradually been uplifted in society due to their prominent role whenever times are hard in America. Once other issues were on the back burner, like wars and economy crashes, women stood up for themselves much like early Black Americans did. Music allowed women to respectfully speak out against men in an artistic manor, in order to avoid direct conflict. Through catchy tunes and soulful lyrics, society understood what women wanted to be treated like. This gave leverage when fighting for equality because they could get their ideas across without causing direct conflict or disagreement.
The United States of America has always been a land of a promising future but every group of people had to find their way to true freedom. Not everyone was lucky enough to live a life free of discrimination, so most had to face opposition daily. Just as society is today, there needs to be gradual change or controversy will be great. Throughout history, people have utilized many forms of art to show their self worth and catch the attention of their suppressors. Music is just one of these forms, but one that should definitely be analyzed. Music allowed Americans to express their feelings and unite with listeners who sympathized with their condition or shared their problems. Without music, different groups of people would not of been able to unite so easily and we would not be able to understand history from a personal standpoint.