Can Rock and Roll change the world?

[growlingsoulpup]

Hey guys. Pardon me if this is a deviation from your usual SOFT kopitiam fare, but I was thinking about the most cliched of ambitions: to change the world.

Rock and roll has never set out to be a vehicle for social or political change, but somehow, in some way or the other, it's always played a big part in those areas, hasn't it? People like Lennon, Bono, Geldof etc come to mind. And even when it doesn't involve itself directly, as art it has observed and captured the times. It's no coincidence that rock and roll has evolved and changed alongside our world.

So my question is, alright, forget the world for a moment. Who thinks rock and roll can change Singapore?

 

[soft]

But Rock and Roll is quite yester-year already?

If we say, "Can music change Singapore?" That would be more interesting.

My answer is "Yes".

It will help in the following:
1. Community bonding (that's what we are doing here in SOFT)
2. Culture
3. More expressive

 

[growlingsoulpup]

Okay, not rock and roll as in the genre. But as in the spirit of social revolution through music...I guess all rock music in general?

 

[soft]

Social revolution? hmm.. let's list out the social problems and see how music can help to solve them.

 

[edder]

Yes and no but what are you going to do to facilitate this change. (25 marks)

 

[rottenramone]

if we speak of now, its not so much of the content (music) but of the medium (ipod, podcasting etc) that has changed the world.

now even content is shaped by the medium.

but donch worry. bono will save the world.

 

[Gracia]

Live8, USA for Africa, musical events like those set out to change the world we live in.

As for Singapore, hmmm... What social issue do you want to touch on in the first place?

 

[visa]

I believe that one social issue in Singapore is that there are many in our society who have been brought up not to think for themselves, or to dare to speak up and chase their dreams.

And I certainly do believe that local music makes a difference to some of us, by giving us something to fight for. Many of us were inspired by our fellow local rock heroes to get up and get on. To dare to dream, and to act upon it and achieve. I believe we are all better people from the struggle, and it must continue.

 

[paganified]

+1
go visa!

 

[empihsrow]

I believe that one social issue in Singapore is that there are many in our society who have been brought up not to think for themselves, or to dare to speak up and chase their dreams.

I agree with you. If you wanna talk about how rock music can change the world, leave out modern rock.

 

[growlingsoulpup]

I think Visa has a great response and insight right there. Rock music has always been, if nothing else, about dreaming, and if there's one thing Singapore can be criticized for it's the apprehension whenever it comes to radical, extreme dreaming.

I don't really think people set out to do rock with the intention of wanting to save the world. But my point is that it's impossible to separate social change from relevant music. And inasmuch as rock star egos can lead to messianic complexes, the important thing to remember is that rock stars aren't messiahs; they are mere figureheads representing the people. John Lennon sang, "power to the people," and really that's what social change in rock and roll is about: catching the spirit of the times, the zeitgeist. Finding the repressed, the unspoken emotion, the massive longing and expressing it. And rottenramone, while I agree with the fact that new media is changing the face of music, the nature of rock has not changed: the core of it is still about finding the words everyone doesn't know they want to say, and singing it.

 

[soft]

When you are popular, you can say anything and your fans will say you are right. This is the fashion of music. Try not to buy into whole rock&roll dream thing. The success we see is not by shear amount of dreaming but hardwork from artiste and businessman.

The social revolution in singapore that I hope to see is that youth will take care of their parents, respect among each others and world peace.

 

[Raistmar]

If music can inspire a change in you then it can pretty much change the whole world. Music inspires you, who can inspire other people, who can inspire OTHER people and so on. Domino effect.

Also, it depends on what kind of changes we're talking about, I'm pretty sure that everyone's aware of the sudden surge of 'rock-related' fashion.

 

[Gracia]

The social revolution in singapore that I hope to see is that youth will take care of their parents, respect among each others and world peace.

Or for people to stop littering

 

[fgl]

Bono, Bob Geldorf, Willie Nelson, Steve Van Zant & countless other lumineries over the years came up with Live aid, farm aid, Artists against Apartheid etc etc ...

the world is STILL a mess

Maybe because the people and the powers that be ... who should REALLY be hearing the "Rock & Roll" message ...... are hearing but arent listening at all

 

[GUYrenCE]

i agree with VISA too!

 

[vx02]

i dont really agree with visa. although his argument has some substance per se to the individual.

but fgl is spot on with this. making a stand wont actually change anything. change comes from people who realise that your actions actually stand for something that has to be done. bono can sing his irish balls out, but if govts dont actually renounce debt payments from africa, nothing is gonna happen. the argument here is change the world. rock and roll here might be the catalyst in creating a better good, but do remember, that there are always two sides to this and negative repercussions exist, even in the greatest good.

 

[Gracia]

I believe certain issues are better solved by us, the layman, such as global warming. The government bodies can squeeze their money dry and meet and hug and talk all they want but if people like us don't give a damn the world would still be a mess.

 

[recklessnick]

The Answer To Your Question is

It Already Has

 

[AEnimic]

^
The result:
Poseurs.