Member-only story
Music is often the expression of ideas, opinions, or emotions. Therefore the culture’s ideas or views are almost always represented in the lyrics or style of their music. Music is very malleable and is affected by a countless number of factors. Music is an expressive language of culture. It often tells a story, expresses emotion, or shares ideas, and as a result, it often reflects the cultural characteristics of a society.
Through this concept, it makes it possible to gain an insight into certain defining eras, and why specific genres ruled throughout these times. Look to the early 1970s, Disco was absolutely killing it, but it wasn’t just because of the music. During this period in the 1970s, the infamous Richard Nixon was deep into his second tenure as the President of the United States (before he was impeached), and was despised by many. Music at the time was used as a form of counterculture to rebel against American political ideologies of the time. However, due to the upbeat, and jovial melodies that came with Disco, major corporations quickly began to realise the commercial value that the movement possessed. The commercialisation of Disco saw the end of the movement. The people were furious, Disco was their outlet in a time where they didn’t want to be told what to do, and were embracing their newfound freedom.
