Music and politics

I think there is a significant difference between putting politics into your music, and taking time out during a concert to preach politics. The former doesn't bother me at all. The latter I find annoying.

With respect to putting politics into the music, it's no different than the artist putting any other sort of message into his/her music. It's what they want to say. I once read that Neil Young regards "Ohio", which is certainly political, as the best song he ever wrote while with CSN&Y.

I also once read an interview with U2 members. Even though their music can be political, the other members of the group find it annoying when Bono goes on one of his speeches during their concerts. They tolerate it but they don't really like it. If he goes on too long, they have some signals for him to put a lid on it and get back to the concert.

This was my response to a similar post back in '06, but even this needs to be modified as the political influence at live shows has gotten even worse.

"Musicians that have this need to stop during portions of their shows and shove their own political or ethical views down thier audiences throats is a huge turnoff to me and probably the vast majority of folks that paid their money to hear a show, not an infomercial- with Springsteen and U2 being the largest big ticket offenders.
Maybe these worldly problem solvers should tear a page out of the Grateful Dead playbook, for 30 years, just shutup and let the music deliver their message, then let the people do with it what they want, or don't want".

Since then, I've put CSNY on a lifelong ban, the last show I saw of theirs a few summers back was worse than a Michael Moore movie(and incidentaly, the music couldn't shine the shoes of the 2000 and 2001 tours). Never a huge Springsteen fan, I would still go to see him occasionally as I respect his longevity and raw output- I've also shelved him as his wrath of politics is to much to tolerate, and lastly, The Dead have turned the corner towards politics after 40 years also.

What gives here?
It's really dissapointing. I could care less what anybodies political views are. There are times and places to express them, but I have a fundamental issue with having them forced upon anybody after they have paid big bucks to see and hear the music.

i wish i had time to comment on this thread, but i volunteered to go paint drapes over some michelangelo nudes before the big beatle record burning.

Agree or disagree with their messages - the one thing you can say about pop stars is that they're egos are so big that they all think because they happen to be holding a mic, for some reason you should care about what they think of politics.

Shut up and sing.

Thank you very much.