Wolfmammy in another thread said something very thought-provoking:



I accept the fact that a lot of the people I listen to, watch or read have notions at sharp variance to my own. THAT, in itself, does not bother me at all.

What CAN--and HAS--bothered me, is artists who make ideas that I regard as stupid, ill-informed, wrong or offensive the centerpiece of their art. If, say, a band gets in my face over and over and over again with what I regard as idiotic views and bastardizes its art so far as to use it as a mere medium for their propaganda, it's not long before I stop listening to them altogether.

That's why I had to stop listening to Springsteen 20 years ago. That's why I stopped listening to Megadeath. That's why there are some Sisters of Mercy songs i just have to avoid. That's why most punk is now off-limits to me. I don't need the 'agita' [as they say in the Sopranos] of trying to mentally discount dopey lyrics while I attempt to enjoy the song. I simply can't do it.

Animals aren't people, but people are animals. So really she wasn't too far off base.

If i find a band to really upset me with their subject matter- my solution is simple. I either do not listen to them or ( if i love the band) the songs that really piss me off. I think that many bands could have songs that piss peopleoff, but not everyone you like will share the same views as you, so if you really like the band i feel a compromise is in order. Listen to all but the songs you dislike.

Usually for me, i will only know the name of the band and the songs they sing, albums they make. Their history names, etc... i don't give a shit about because i do not want to form opinions about them as people. I like to make their music personal, while keeping my distance from the artist so i do not learn something so upsetting i could not possibly listen again. Only on some occasions (like Peter Steele0 will I make an exception).

Again, though it is about compromise. if you like them enough either put up with it, or skip the songs that you truly cannot stand.

I always thought Springsteen was pretty bang on the money politically, campaigning for gay marriage and against Bush and all that, songs like American Skin making statements against racism. What've I missed?

You've missed annwn being a Bush fan :p

I just decided a long time ago to avoid ever learning about bands. It saves headaches in the long run.

Apart from the 'against racism' part [a cheap and easy 'gimme' for libs], that's EXACTLY why i can no longer listen to this pompous, self-important dick.

-- Wed May 05, 2010 2:11 pm --



'Fan' would be going a bridge too far, perhaps.

Suffice it to say 'not a Bush-hater' and not a sufferer from BDS [Bush Derangenment Syndrome].

-- Wed May 05, 2010 2:16 pm --



You know, that might just be the most sensible thing I've heard you say yet!

Being from a country where English is a language you learn in school, it usually takes me some effort to find out what the lyrics are about, especially if they are really poetic or associatively written instead of "in your face". And, honestly, I most often don't even bother to spell out the lyrics. That is because on political, philosophical, religious and other levels I often not (completely) agree to others. When I am particularly annoyed by some lyrics, I somehow just can't seem to forget that - then I know when they will sing it again in the song. It takes over. And I do not want my enjoyment of the music be lessened by being reminded that. The effort it takes me and the fact I sometimes get so annoyed by lyrics are the reasons why I don't listen to lyrics that often.

If I read in interviews that artists I like hold views I cannot agree with, I get not so much disturbed when listening to their songs. That is because it is not in the songs in the same words.

What does upset me, is when band x holds stupid, radical view y and people think that - because I like x - I also must agree with y. I can form my own opinions on things, and I do not need some bands (or others) to tell me what to think or do.

Ah, fair enough. So it's nothing to do with the fact he sings like a foghorn then?

Well, his voice is suitable for the songs he sings, it can be soulful and expressive enough. But it never makes me forget that he's a pompous, self-important dick.

My own tolerance of Springsteen extends mainly to Nebraska, The River and Darkness on The Edge Of Town where his voice is at its best. I agree with many of his political views but then again Bush wasn't exactly Hitler, was he?



That's an interesting point. A lot of people assume I'm deeply racist/border on Nazidom because I like a lot of industrial music, and the sound of a loud German bark ringing out over a martial beat barking out terse orders doesn't really say "libertarian" does it?

I like to know about the artists I'm listening to, to a point. I could never buy a Gary Glitter album and I can never hear that horrible song without wondering if he was wankering to kiddie porn or thinking about naked babies while writing it. I would rather be relatively comfortable in the knowledge that I'm not supporting pedophiles with my money.

If it's something as simple as politics, I'm not really bothered. Although I will always disagree with AV's statement. She should apologize for that.

Crass. Not, perhaps, their politics in themselves, but the way in which everything they ever did was a "statement".

Oh, and the fact they were crap musically, too.

I like Imprint, live they blew me away, but their politics are anti-American. I listen to them but won't support them by buying stuff as having a go at some nebulous large group of people is just wrong to me. Say why, be specific, then I can consider.

-LS

I listen to music because i like the music. I do not care if their lead singer is a vicious nazi, brain eatting liliputain or some bleeding heart liberal. As long as I like their music i do not care.

but one thing that i hate i music about politics but still press next and life goes on.

I try to separate the politics from the person, I enjoy their work whether it is the actors/directors of movies, literature, or artwork. The only times I have issues is if they bring their politics into things. One thing I enjoy so much about Stephen King is that he seldom drags his politics into his work, at most there may be a comment or two and he leaves it at that.

For me just because I disagree with someone politically doesn't mean I dislike them as a person. It is something that I wish we'd see more of in the political arena, for example I'm not a Barack Obama fan, but I respect him as a person, just disagree with his politics.