Welcome back my friends and readers! We bloggers here at the JTI are no strangers to censorship. How can we forget our fiasco with the Journal Times? This week, I want to discuss censorship in music. Over the years, music has been censored and banned. Yet, the envelope has pushed further and further. I recall stories of Elvis Preasley's gyrating hips and The Rolling Stones having to change their lyrics. I even remember the PMRC.
This blog features Guns n' Roses's song One in a Million, from their G n R Lies album. Guns n' Roses created a huge controversy over the lyrics in this song. The lyrics blast Afro-Americans, the police, immigrants, and homosexuals. Lead singer Axl Rose defends this song be telling his story. Instrumentally, I love this song, but I DON"T agree with the lyrics. I think they should be changed. But to me, it's merely just a point of view.
Well, my friends, I understand that are many songs out there more controversial than this one. The use of language and other pitfalls that have fallen on them. I have many questions to ask. Should this song be banned? Should music be censored? If so, how? What are your thoughts?
BTW, I apologize if I offended anybody by posting this video.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
15 comments:
Excellent topic! Its interesting to watch the changes that have happened since the days of Elvis and today. Now his dance style would be considered very conservative compared to some!
I have to listen to the GnR song later (I can't remember it very well at the moment). It sounds offensive, but we can't pick and choose what to censor if we allow freedom of speech. Its a fine line, I'm glad its not up to me :)
Drew, can you bring some cd's to my house...I have none in WI...no music, no fun!
Thanks.
Barb, it's interesting how we progressed from Elvis to now. What's even more interesting is how much more we are going to progress. How much are more we going to allow? It's one of many angles I'm looking at.
Beejay-do you have any requests? I have a huge collection to choose from :)
I've always like Get In The Ring :)
I had a bartender turn that off a jukebox when I played it! Now that's censorship! Why have it if you let people pay to listen to it, yet turn it off?
Strange how the anger comes out in some songs, yet songs like Patience, Don't Cry, November Rain are so .. I dunno.. heartfelt? Which is really heartfelt?
Drew. I vote Def Leppard, Any SRV A little blues, some R&R but please. no country. ;)
Okay, I'll let you ignore the country....but I do like Brad Paisley!
Surprise me, Drew!
Thanks.
Music is art. Do you censor nude paintings? There *is* a line though. What should and should not be on public radio where kids can hear it by chance? I think it is fine to delete words or make a "clean" version for playing on public airwaves. However, some songs just aren't the same without the language. I think making both versions and marking it on the record label so the buyer can decide which they prefer is the best solution.
Oh yeah, and I agree, please drew, no country.
No country? Talk about censorship!
I have absolutely no idea of what is right. Should these guys be allowed to use the n-word despairingly but not a hate group? And what the hell is with the new Burger King ads with the square shaped "booties" and the kids' meals?
Ok, Jimmy Buffett is as country as I get. Might make beejay feel a little more at home.
DA-You have point, but what not offend you, may offend others. I think Patience is a very heartfelt song.
kk-I've thought of this. My son has been exposed to this through other means than by me. I try to teach him the meanings of songs and the what not do's about it. And yes, I agree to what you're saying. It's extremely hard to shield a child from all the "evils" of the world.
Orbs-Just for you, I'll bring country. If I have any:)
HELL NO U CANT CENSOR IT!
I would not ask anyone to turn his or her music off. Everyone enjoys something different, but play a bunch of Rap and watch how fast I leave.
If there is a line to be drawn, that’s it for me!
AXL-thanks for your opinion.
SER-I love all kinds of music, especially rock and roll. Music is the expression of the soul. I do draw the line with rap. Not because of the vulgarity, but because the lack of talent!
awesome video, and great great song, makes me wish they had one for it.
Nice to see comments from new people.
The more I think about it, the more important that the original lyrics stay intact. Times change, viewpoints change. By not stating things as they are, I think we are attempting to only hide the truth and reality.
I remember the panic in my parents when they heard the Eric Clapton lyrics to "Cocaine." Just because we listened to it, didn't mean we took part. Remember the little ditty, "I Shot The Sherrif"? How scary could that be to a parent?
Also, the lyrics to Steppenwolf's, "The Pusher" was an eye opener. The message needed to be stated though.
I still believe that clean versions are appropriate for radio and younger children. Children are not ready to comprehend the complexities, maybe the intended irony of some of these lyrics. Parents should have some control over how much their children are exposed to and what level is age appropriate.
Great topic and blog drew!
Post a Comment