Is music an entertainment or art - Essay Example

?Is music an entertainm?ent or art Music is generally perceived as the most popular form of art which practice sound and silence as the medium. The formation, significance, content, performance and even the definition of music are extremely important as they have clear connection with social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. ‘Is music an art form or entertainment?’ is a difficult question for one to answer. Art is related with self expression which reveals the creativity of a person while entertainment is based on public enjoyment. In case of music, it needs artistic qualities as well the elements of entertainment. Considering the popular music culture during 1960s and 1970s in English speaking world, one can find a brilliant amalgamation of art and entertainment. Historians have documented that the event of Civil Right Movement and the associated civil disturbance and the Vietnam War greatly influenced the youth culture. Formation of life style, values, and economic growth of youth marked the influence of these two happenings. Newly originated popular culture in which rock/soul music was the dominant one which changed lives. People from the English speaking world receive this cultural division of sex, race and began to see each one having different perceptive. Here, one can see that popular acceptance of rock/soul music underlines the presence of both artistic features and some characteristics of entertainment. The new popular culture during 1960s and 1970s marked the emergence of rock/soul music which provides some features of entertainment as well the characteristics of art. As a medium of entertainment, music requires a perfect content which describes the social and cultural heritage of the nation, brilliant instrumentation, and effective visual presentation. The song entitled, “Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" by Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell gives a particular beat style which promote a faster track than rock. Motown uses little bits of melody in its songs. Similarly, the frequent use of electric keyboards in Soul music gives a different experience for the listener. Social and cultural backgrounds The content of Motown music is matured and diversified which performed great artistic value. Research professionals mention that Motown became the centre of popular music in sixties and one can easily find its strong influence of African American or gospel backgrounds. Here, the lyrics of the songs need both artistic quality and some features of entertainment. The song “I heard it through Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye gives higher level of artistic performance as well entertainment quality. Michael Campbell and James Brody observe; “It is beautifully integrated: every elements blends shamelessly to convey the sense of the text which gradually unfolds the story of love gone wrong” (Campbell & Brody 185). In case of popular music in the English world, one cannot find the crisis between the features of art and entertainment in music. Music of Motown and Soul underscore the contribution of Black people or African Americans. Various use of instrumentation affects public acceptance and popularity. It is significant for a reader to notice that the songs of Bob Dylan and Motown give considerable status in lyrics. Considering the song entitled "The Times They Are A-Changin' (1964) by Bob Dylan, one can find that the Dylan gives more emphasis on its lyrics than music. The song is based on political movements of that period. The sufferings of and protest of working class people is revealed through his words. Even without a band and or any other instrument listener/viewer can get the feel of an anthem. Therefore, popular music culture in 1960s and 70s concentrated artistic features than entertainment. In case of music, songs of Motown and Soul acquired great popularity among the public because of its music and instrumentation. Artists have controlled the use of the elements of entertainment in their songs. Visual presentation and class identification are is not a significant matter among the public in creating perception on is art or entertainment. Unlike the Supremes, famous American female singing group Bob Dylan’s songs gave less importance in visual presentation. Artists of Supremes were appeared on high fashioned gowns and make-up. Many Motown artists were black people and the White people often unnoticed this and enjoyed music. Here, the development of social system is visible and reader can comprehend that class identification is not a serious factor in accepting music. Similarly, Bob Dylan’s song "Subterranean Homesick Blues" endow with harmonious instrumentation which is widely accepted by white musicians. Bob Dylan’s songs describe the plight of working class people which is widely accepted without considering artistic features. Songs of The Beatles generally describes the lives of working class people in Britain and reveal greater performance of vocalists and songwriters including Funk Brothers. History of rock music and its impact Rock music is widely considered as a genre of popular music that developed during 1960s and 70s in Britain and the United States. Research professionals have noticed the fact that rock music has some relations to rock and roll which popularized in 1940s and 50s. The influence of rhythm and blues, country music blues and folk and jazz is significant the formation of rock music. The title of first rock’n’roll song begins with The Fat Man was coined by Fats Domino, a New Orleans performer. The term rock’n’roll was invented by Alan Freed in 1951 (Scaruffi 9). Analyzing the lyrics in rock music often illustrate topics interrelated with romantic love and also other up to date social or political issues. Enormous popularity and scope rock music has a powerful impact on society. It influences lifestyle, language, economic growth, and social development of the nation. Various topics like financial isolation, social events, religion, refusal of organized social institution and organized religion in rock music formed a new social system. Analysis of the novel ‘Great Jones Street’ Don Delillo’s novel Great Jones Street describes the story of a rock star named Bucky Wunderlick. The novel permits the reader to comprehend the social and cultural lives of popular music in 1960s and 1970s. Don Delillo published his novel in 1973 which facilitated rich use of surreal imagery. Author develops the story through various events that happened in the life of Wunderlick, who led a stressful life. His friendship with Skippy, a spokesperson, enabled Wunderlick to get attracted to the movements of a domestic terrorist organization named Happy Valley Farm Commune. The novel exposes the lives of other characters that lived in the Great Jones’ street. Wunderlick’s girl friend Opel and the suffering mother reveal the social life of the 1970s. Don Delillo’s novel gives sufficient knowledge about the popularity of rock music and its social and cultural impact on the life of young people. American culture and its celebrity, violence and obsession are expressed through the background of rock culture. David Seed observes; “In a surrealist way, Great Jones Street described the failed attempt of a rock star named Bucky Wunderlick to disappear into a run-down area of the city” (Seed 32). The life of middleclass and working-class people were pictured through their attitude towards the new popular music. The story also reveals the popularity and artistic qualities of rock music which exposed social and culture context. In conclusion, it is evident that music is widely accepted form of art which facilitates the elements of entertainment. Popular music culture in 1960s and 70s explores the amalgamation of artistic qualities and entertainment features. Songs of Motown and Soul always kept artistic quality as well the elements of enjoyment. Popular music culture in 1970s and 70s never considered visual presentation as a significant one. Bob Dylan’s songs underlines that music is universal and it is beyond all kinds of class distinction. Work Cited Campbell, M. Brody, J. Rock and roll: an introduction. Cengage Learning, 2007. Print. Scaruffi. P. A history of rock music 1951-2000. iUniverse, 2003. Print. Seed, D. A Companion to Twentieth-Century United States Fiction. John Wiley and Sons, 2009. Print. Read More