New Wave Outpost Forum

Just need to rant. I really hate groups that sing about politics and world issues. As a punk fan, it makes it difficult to listen to many groups because all they do is whine and bitch about government issues. STOP!!! I wanna escape from the real world when I listen to music. I want to go to fantasy island when I listen to a tune. Bring back the shallow good times and fun music. Am I the only one who feels like this or are there others?

You're not alone. I guess that's why I still like cheesy 80s hair bands so much. All they wanted to do was have a good time, not save the world.

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[quote]Originally posted by WoodlandParkPunk
[br]Just need to rant. I really hate groups that sing about politics and world issues. As a punk fan, it makes it difficult to listen to many groups because all they do is whine and bitch about government issues. STOP!!! I wanna escape from the real world when I listen to music. I want to go to fantasy island when I listen to a tune. Bring back the shallow good times and fun music. Am I the only one who feels like this or are there others?
[/quote] I disagree. Are you a newcomer* to the punk music scene? I never was a huge punk fan, but it's my understanding that the "originals" were all about ranting. Politics and world issues are part of it's fabric, correct? Give me an example of fun music? You mean like Dead Milkmen or Ween?

{edit} *what I mean by that is post late 70's-early 80's.
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I mean like The Dickies, Ramones, Misfits, Adverts, GBH, Pistols, Suicidal Tendencies, 45 Grave, Social D.

Not the Clash, U2 and that kind of stuff.

If it's done well, strongly felt political beliefs (whether I agree or not) can add a memorable passion to a song. If it's done badly, it can be annoying.

Midnight Oil did this particularly well, even when they were singing about stuff no-one outside Austrailia had any idea about.

My favorite political song is "Stand Down Margaret" by the English Beat. Calling for the resignation of a major head of state and making you want to dance at the same time.

There are good and bad political songs. I don't musicians' political views seriously anyway.

I think politicaly charged lyrics can detract depending on the type of music. For instance the last Brian Eno release "another day on earth" has taken me quite a while to like, usually his music makes me escape and his usual light hearted or cerebral lyrics don't detract but in this case it did. Let us agree in music and not take sides in the political chraged lyrics.

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I respectfully disagree. I cut my teeth on early 80s punk that sang about politics--whether it was Reagan, Thatcher, the commies, WWIII, or people being sheep. I thought that stuff was fun and fascinating. It led me into my earliest curiosities about politics, while Reagan still had his finger on the button and dropped aural bombs such as "the bombing will begin in 5 minutes" and that sort of thing. I think that music is a valid arena for political stuff. I mean, think back to the late 60s when social protest spread into many of the excellent songs of the day--Dylan, etc.--it belongs, IMHO. But that is just my 2 cents.

So much about music is political, anyway--everything from the Art of Noise down to Yazoo. I didn't realize this until I was well into my twenties, far past the new wave era. Having realized this, I appreciate my favorite music so much more--even that music which I never gave two shits about in the first place.

However, it's the hollow sentiment and bandwagonesque political rantings by dilettantes/amateurs that make me want to lose my lunch.

[quote][i]Originally posted by WoodlandParkPunk[/i]
<br>I mean like The Dickies, Ramones, Misfits, Adverts, GBH, Pistols, Suicidal Tendencies, 45 Grave, Social D.

Not the Clash, U2 and that kind of stuff.
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The Sex Pistols weren't political?

I don't mind political if there's also subversion in it and not immediately clear to everyone what they're talking about. We were talking about the great Magazine track "Shot By Both Sides" awhile ago...the perfect example IMHO. If it gets too obvious and preachy? You can keep it...just a lame opinion/asshole that anyone can spew. It's probably why bands like Echo & the Bunnymen and British Sea Power are among my favorties. They often speak in metaphor and inspire imagery rather than spew about obvious or mundane things. Beyond just politics, I prefer the covert rather than overt.

It depends how it's done. Don't know about now, but early Depeche Mode songs were political, although not so in-your-face. Style Council ... Band Aid [:)].