Why You Hear Very Few Protest Songs On The Radio

Jahfin · Post by **Jahfin** » May 12, 2004 11:12 am

From msnbc.com:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4946516

The age of oblivion

Despite volatile times, protest music hard to find on airwaves

COMMENTARY
By James Sullivan
MSNBC contributor
Updated: 5:02 p.m. ET May 11, 2004

On her new album, “Trampin’,” the rock poet Patti Smith leads her veteran band through a squalling diatribe against the war in Iraq. The devastated Iraqi capital, she laments on “Radio Baghdad,” was once the cradle of civilization, the world center of scholarship.

“We created the zero, and we mean nothing to you!” Smith thunders, putting herself in the historic shoes of her own country’s latest mortal enemy.

You won’t hear this song on commercial radio anytime soon, and not simply because it’s a 12-minute noise mantra. War in Iraq and other policies of the current presidential administration are effectively off-limits on the popular airwaves.

It’s perhaps not surprising that one of the top songs in America right now is called “I Don’t Wanna Know.” Despite mounting evidence that the war is dividing the nation, our pop music — at least on the surface — seems oblivious. We’re clearly living in a much different social climate than the era that made No. 1 songs of Edwin Starr’s “War” and Barry McGuire’s “Eve of Destruction.”

In the triangle of pop-music consumption — artist, medium, audience — who is to blame for this utter lack of topicality?

When the time comes to write an obituary for Clear Channel, it will lead with the notorious list of verboten songs the radio powerhouse distributed to hundreds of affiliates in the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Is it the audience? At first glance it would seem, like the song says, that people just don’t wanna know. But uncompromising political views never hurt the sales of the now-defunct hard rock group Rage Against the Machine, and the Dixie Chicks actually gained admirers when singer Natalie Maines uttered her infamous anti-Bush sentiment.

Is it the radio? Undoubtedly, in today’s big media, corporate ownership is determined to stamp out any hint of controversy. When the time comes to write an obituary for Clear Channel, it will lead with the notorious list of verboten songs the radio powerhouse distributed to hundreds of affiliates in the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Songs about airplanes (“Leavin’ on a Jet Plane”), tall places (“Free Fallin’”) and, most bizarrely, compassion (“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”) were all deemed too sensitive for the apparently infantile masses of American radio listeners.

Could it be that the artists are to blame for the scarcity of serious issues in contemporary pop? If that’s the case, then we all might as well just pack up our toys and go home. Without our dissenting voices — the modern-day heirs to Woody Guthrie and Curtis Mayfield and the MC5 — we have no true democracy.

But there is little indication that artists are actually shying away from the headlines and the hard subjects. If the vast majority of commercial hip hop is caught up “In Da Club” and “Tipsy,” there is an entire brooding underground making modern protest music. Public Enemy, members of Oakland radicals the Coup and an ad hoc turntable collective calling itself the DJs of Mass Destruction are among the acts featured on the new protest compilation “War (If It Feels Good, Do It!).” And the Beastie Boys’ long-awaited new album is said to contain some pointed criticisms of the Bush administration.

Punk, too, is reconnecting with its traditional voice of dissent. The long-running Southern California band Bad Religion sounds revitalized on its forthcoming album, “The Empire Strikes First,” which features bitter rants such as “Let Them Eat War.” The group will also appear with No Doubt, Foo Fighters, Green Day and other notables on an upcoming sequel to “Rock Against Bush Vol. 1,” a new compilation that includes tracks by Sum 41 and New Found Glory.

Even in country music, where patriotic songs by stars such as Toby Keith and Darryl Worley have established a commanding presence since 9/11, the big John Michael Montgomery hit “Letters from Home” has left some room for ambiguity. The soldier receiving one of those letters admits he and his band of brothers are struggling: “I hold it up and show my buddies/ Like we ain’t scared and our boots ain’t muddy.”

But they are scared, and their boots are muddy. That’s one of the uncomfortable truths of wartime, and someone needs to say so.

James Sullivan writes about pop culture and music and is a regular contributor to MSNBC.com.

© 2004 MSNBC Interactive

MojosMama · Post by **MojosMama** » May 12, 2004 11:16 am

I'm glad I don't have to listen to that on the radio. Truthfully, I'm getting a bit tired of even having to hear musicians' negative stance on Iraq and Bush. I support my president, I support my country, and most importantly I stand behind our soldiers and what they're doing for us over there while I sleep in my own bed night after night.

Off the soapbox now.

Jahfin · Post by **Jahfin** » May 12, 2004 11:22 am

Just because some of us are against the war doesn't mean we don't support our troops and for Clear Channel to control the airwaves is out and out censorship. One of my favorite quotes from recent months is this one from Steve Earle:

"My definition of patriotism is remembering that, that for - remembering as an American - that it's never, ever unpatriotic to question anything in a democracy, no matter what and no matter what's going on in the world. "

Key Lime Lee · Post by **Key Lime Lee** » May 12, 2004 11:36 am

I don't support my president when I think he's making major mistakes, I question my country when I think it's wrong, but I certainly support the men and women of the armed forces who unfailingly do what they're asked.

The reason we don't hear more diverse opinions on the radio is because people are so lacking in their own belief systems these days that they can't stand to hear a different opinion without wanting to smash CDs and boycott artists. Dixie Chicks anyone?

As long as we have to tolerate overly simplistic jingoistic ballads wrapped in the guise of Patriotism by idiots like Toby Keith, it would be nice to hear from folks smart enough to know that true patriotism is more than putting a bumper sticker on your car or reciting whatever opinions your president's spokesman suggested you have on the previous night's news.

ph4ever · Post by **ph4ever** » May 12, 2004 11:41 am

Thank you Lee!!!!! Although I do like Toby Keith.

And I could go on and on about our president - not an effective governor or president IMHO

MojosMama · Post by **MojosMama** » May 12, 2004 12:08 pm

Key Lime Lee wrote:folks smart enough to know that true patriotism is more than putting a bumper sticker on your car or reciting whatever opinions your president's spokesman suggested you have on the previous night's news.

The only bumper sticker I have on my car says KW on it

And the opinions I have are not those that I have been suggested to have. They've been formed by me, after being raised in a family that has fought for this country in every war since WWI, and having friends and family serving in Iraq as we speak or just coming back recently.

We're never going to see eye to eye on this one, but perhaps we should agree to disagree.

Key Lime Lee · Post by **Key Lime Lee** » May 12, 2004 12:23 pm

My comments weren't directed at you - it would be wrong of me to assume I know your opinions or motivations.

My problem is with the masses of ignorant americans on both sides of the issue who are too lazy or stupid to actually take the time to develop informed opinions and, as a result, can't stand real discussion. It's an embarassment for this country that in the most idealistic democratic experiment in history, its citizens can't engage in meaningful debate.

Makes me think the founding fathers' general distrust of the "average" american wasn't entirely unfounded.

ph4ever · Post by **ph4ever** » May 12, 2004 12:23 pm

We have a board member that's facing going to Iraq in the near future and has already served in Afganistan. Lee and her are good friends. I consider her a good friend as well.

While I agree that opinions are formed by our own value systems. It pays to be informed and not just blindly led. The United States Government as good as it is has a history of not being completely honest to the citizens during times of war.

diamonddan · Post by **diamonddan** » May 12, 2004 12:32 pm

Maybe patti Smiths song is not heard on the radio because it sucks

Key Lime Lee · Post by **Key Lime Lee** » May 12, 2004 12:50 pm

diamonddan wrote:Maybe patti Smiths song is not heard on the radio because it sucks

Nah, there's plenty of songs on the radio that s***.

tommcat327 · Post by **tommcat327** » May 12, 2004 12:58 pm

Key Lime Lee wrote:I don't support my president when I think he's making major mistakes, I question my country when I think it's wrong, but I certainly support the men and women of the armed forces who unfailingly do what they're asked.

The reason we don't hear more diverse opinions on the radio is because people are so lacking in their own belief systems these days that they can't stand to hear a different opinion without wanting to smash CDs and boycott artists. Dixie Chicks anyone?

As long as we have to tolerate overly simplistic jingoistic ballads wrapped in the guise of Patriotism by idiots like Toby Keith, it would be nice to hear from folks smart enough to know that true patriotism is more than putting a bumper sticker on your car or reciting whatever opinions your president's spokesman suggested you have on the previous night's news.

I DONT SUPPORT POLITICIANS IN GENERAL,I HAVE MY OWN BELIEF SYSTEM EVEN THOUGH IT IS GENERALLY UNPOPULAR,AND THE DIXIE CHICKS JUST s***.

Caribbean Soul Man · Post by **Caribbean Soul Man** » May 12, 2004 1:27 pm

Jahfin wrote:Just because some of us are against the war doesn't mean we don't support our troops and for Clear Channel to control the airwaves is out and out censorship. One of my favorite quotes from recent months is this one from Steve Earle:

"My definition of patriotism is remembering that, that for - remembering as an American - that it's never, ever unpatriotic to question anything in a democracy, no matter what and no matter what's going on in the world. "

The beauty of it is that people in America are free to voice their opinions, whatever they are. We also have the freedom to listen to any radio station or cd we want to or watch any tv channel we like.

What I think is totally misunderstood is that while we have the right to express our opinions, we are not entitled to an audience. If people don't want to listen, they don't have to. If a celebrity voices their opinion, they are within their rights, but if I don't like it, I don't have to listen to it and I certainly don't have to buy their album, books, movies (or whatever they're selling). That's my right too. When free-thinking Americans choose not to listen, that's not denying anyone their free speech, that's simply another way to express opinions. That's MY FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION.

We have more freedom in the U.S. than any other nation I'm aware of but what Americans don't seem to get anymore is that with personal freedom comes personal responsibility. True we are all free to make decisions, but if we want to preserve the ability to make decisions for ourselves and our families, then we must also accept responsibility for the consequences of those decisions. If I choose to express myself by telling my boss that I think he's an a$$hole, I have the right to do so. If the consequence of that expression is that I got fired, I have to live with that and I don't think I could get my job back by accusing my boss of denying my freedom of expression.

When Natalie Maines made her statements, she experienced a backlash of criticism from people who disagreed with her. This is not "censorship," nor is it a situation where people were trying to deny anyone's free speech, as it was mistakenly reported by many sources in the media. Quite the contrary, the backlash was the "free expression" of others who thought it was inappropriate for her to make that statement (especially overseas). They have as much a right to disagree with her statement as she had to make it in the first place.

As far as being informed, I seek out information first hand and form my own opinions. I don't look to ANY talking head to tell me how I should think.

People who don't like Clear Channel's business practices should turn the dial. There are plenty of other stations to listen to (RM for one

). I also don't think it helps anyone's cause to simply label those who disagree with their opinion as an idiot or misinformed ignorant masses (not to say that you did that Jahfin, but it is a common occurrence).

Freedom of expression is a 2-way street and I can respect anyone's opinion, as long as they can clearly and reasonably articulate why they take that particular position.

Key Lime Lee · Post by **Key Lime Lee** » May 12, 2004 1:35 pm

i would agree with most of what you say except that, with the continued deregulation of media outlets in exchange for campaign contributions, the opinions we have to choose between are being dictated by the government.

It used to be that one company couldn't have the power to control to any reasonable degree what got heard. That's changed as station ownership rules get relaxed, and CC is a good example. Frankly I don't believe its in the best interests of the Amercian people to let a few hand-picked corporations control the bulk of the public airwaves and, by default, decide what our options for listening are.

The Dixie Chicks backlash was not a grassroots movement of people deciding not to listen - it was an organized attempt by ClearChannel to punish the Dixie Chicks for speaking out against an administration that CC supports. That's a scary precedent for a corporation with as much power in the media as CC has.

Technically CC and every other station granted a license to use our airwaves is obligated to serve the public interest in exchange for the airwaves. When they serve only their own political agendas, our interests are not served.

Certainly I think that if you don't like a song, change the station. But when every station is owned by the same government-picked company you reach a situation that is more Orwellian than American.

NYCPORT · Post by **NYCPORT** » May 12, 2004 1:46 pm

Amen...Oh s***! I just mixed politics with religion.

AlbatrossFlyer · Post by **AlbatrossFlyer** » May 12, 2004 1:47 pm

just yesterday, NPR was talking to a spokewoman for some organization (i missed the name of) that had received 1.3 million "grassroot" emails protesting her organization. problem was they all had the same basic wording which was supplied as "talking points" by the republican national party.

somehow i don't think that consitutes forming your own opinion....

and just last week CC banned the epsiode of nightline on their tv stations, which aired the names of the soldiers killed in action.

AlbatrossFlyer · Post by **AlbatrossFlyer** » May 12, 2004 1:52 pm

really can't turn the dial in phoenix, CC owns all the radio stations except NPR and the spanish language ones....

rednekkPH · Post by **rednekkPH** » May 12, 2004 1:52 pm

AlbatrossFlyer wrote:just yesterday, NPR was talking to a spokewoman for some organization (i missed the name of) that had received 1.3 million "grassroot" emails protesting her organization. problem was they all had the same basic wording which was supplied as "talking points" by the republican national party.

somehow i don't think that consitutes forming your own opinion....

I see that all the time here at work. It's funny, we'll get 500 copies of the same letter in the mail, each with a different signature. Damn lemmings don't even bother to submit it in their own handwriting

AlbatrossFlyer · Post by **AlbatrossFlyer** » May 12, 2004 1:58 pm

but back to the thread topic....

the reason i think you don't hear many protest songs today is, i don't think there are very many artists with the intellectual capability to write one..

(lee excluded of course)

Key Lime Lee · Post by **Key Lime Lee** » May 12, 2004 2:04 pm

its tough to write a modern sounding protestsong with a good hook....

AlbatrossFlyer · Post by **AlbatrossFlyer** » May 12, 2004 2:05 pm

Key Lime Lee wrote:its tough to write a modern sounding protestsong with a good hook....

especially in between the lines about f**** your b**** and killing cops.....