Protest/propaganda/social — Defining our terms

1/12/2018

In our first class, we had an exercise individually and together — an attempt to write down our initial conceptions of what a few foundational terms mean:

protest song
propaganda song
socially conscious song

What's similar about those terms? What's different? Are they applied within certain contexts?

A chief goal of this seminar will be to carry forward these preconceived notions and begin applying them to the music and theory we will encounter — and to see what changes, if anything, about them. Will they work the way we think they will? Will they require updating?

Participation! Assist in creating that record by posting the definitions you wrote down during class, in the comments here.

14 Comments

Dana Kan

1/13/2018 07:50:57 pm

protest song - song written that is looking to challenge/bring up social issues and movements in order enact a change

propaganda song - not the same as a protest song because it has means to influence and bring across a specific point or biased message/idea it wants one to hear

socially conscious song - a song that we should be self-aware of and also with others around us who share the same social conscience

Matthew Cusolito

1/15/2018 03:49:39 pm

Protest song- a piece of music that rejects or counters a set ideology, event, or person. They have a clear message against the subject

Propaganda song- a piece of music that aims to convert listeners to a certain ideology, event, or person. They differ from protest songs because they try to persuade for a cause rather than reject.

Socially Conscious song- music that addresses a movement or discourse in society, dependent on the stance. Propaganda/protest songs fall into this label, but not all social conscious songs are those two.

Karla Badilla

1/15/2018 07:04:07 pm

Protest Song: A piece of music that has the intention to spread a certain message as a call to action on a social issue or a concept at large.

Propaganda Song: A piece of music that intends to persuade a certain social issue through a one sided perspective.

Socially Conscious Song: A piece of music that has awareness of its message so that it does not impose a certain view on a social issue/group.

Andrew Johnson

1/15/2018 09:02:43 pm

Protest Song: A protest song directly responds to a societal aspect or norm (be that cultural, political, economical, etc.). It has a central goal of bringing about change by awareness. It tunnels out.

Propaganda Song: Similar to a protest song in that it focuses on a desired shift (or stagnation) in societal norms, but its intention is fundamentally different as it attempts to freeze a norm, not grow one. It funnels in.

Socially Conscious Song: A song that takes into consideration current societal climates in order to raise awareness or acceptance for specific norms to change. I would say a protest song is socially conscious, but not a propaganda song. A propaganda song is, however, a social song.

Kendra McLeish

1/16/2018 11:13:24 am

Protest song: brings up social issues, challenges the audience to think and question acts prevalant in our society, can push for change, presents a side to a social issue, differentiates between right and wrong. It is a lyrical statement that wants listeners to hear a message in order to opt for change.

Propaganda song: States what is "true", what is and what should be, doesnt challenge listeners instead puts ideas and certain view into their heads.

Socially conscious song: discusses current social events, things happening in that era, presents no side, no good vs. bad or right vs. wrong, direct experience, not trying to change something. Presents a personal experience bringing up social ideas.

Jesse Edelman

1/16/2018 01:20:13 pm

Protest Song: A piece of music that is communicating through conveying implicit political messages that rejects or counters a social issue.

Propaganda Song: A propaganda song attempts to exert a psychological effect on people in reinforcing the status quo of a particular societal norm.

Social conscious song: Songs that speak on important issues and address problems in society by examining the social conditions around us. A protest song contains socially conscious properties and a propaganda song is a social song without appearing socially conscious.

Edward Han

1/16/2018 11:28:35 pm

Protest song- a song written with a message of protest, performed by a protesting artist for protesting audiences/listeners.

Propaganda song- a song with an agenda to persuade listeners of a certain ideology.

"Socially conscious" song- a song representative of the current social beliefs, feelings, and consciousness of society.

Jaselin Drown

1/17/2018 12:43:07 pm

Protest Song - A song that tries to create a conversation about an issue typically serving to counter a social norm or underlying, unconscious practice in society.

Propaganda Song - A song that seeks to exert control over an audience or silence other opinions, to maintain power.

Socially Conscious Song: A song that isn't out right addressing politics but does have underlying social meaning. Possibly an artist talking specifically about their own experience that serves as an example of a larger social problem.

Jae Hyung Lee

1/17/2018 03:38:27 pm

Protest Song: It is a song that conveys a message of protest against social factor. It directly associates with the social issue that should be changed.

Propaganda Song: It’s similar to protest song in a sense that it directly urges the audience, but its goal is to take control over the listeners and implant an idea.

Socially Conscious Song: This type of song tackles a social issue, but in a more subtle tone. Its goal isn’t to change anything, but just raise awareness of what is happening in the society.

Paige DiMaggio

1/18/2018 07:02:43 pm

Protest Song: A song that tends to be in compliance with a social movement. The lyrics of most protest songs convey a message that is directed toward a social change whether the writer is for or against the matter at hand.

Propaganda Song: A song that conveys a persuasive message to the listener in hopes to sway their beliefs toward a hegemonic discourse.

Socially Conscious Song: A song that focuses on the social issues that one has experienced. This type of music tends to go in depth about a certain experience or ones emotions that is intended to move, heal, or inspire its listeners.

Alyssa Quintero

1/19/2018 08:05:24 am

Protest Song: A song that calls for people to take action for a specific social movement. Wants to bring awareness and change towards the social movement through its lyrics and sound.

Propaganda Song: A song that persuades listeners to follow or believe in an issue, but in a more forceful and biased way.

Socially Conscious Song: It brings up issues that may not be normally discussed in mainstream society. However, it doesn't necessarily want to change that issue but simply bring awareness to it.

Jun Liu

2/10/2018 11:39:54 am

Protest Song: used to not only shed light to a problem but also offer a solution

Propaganda Song: to instill a common belief/message in people; towards a movement

Socially Conscious Song: to shed light on an issue (political, social, cultural) through a person's point of view

Marc Dover

2/27/2018 11:54:22 am

What is a Protest Song
- A protest song is a lyrical statement that addresses an underlying issue that is prevalent to society; and wants the listeners to hear the message in order to enact a change among society.

What is a Propaganda Song?
- A song that is used to manipulate the listeners (Audience) that sways them in one direction with little information about the other side (or opposition).

What is a 'Socially Conscious' Song?
A song that addresses issues that is prevalent toward society and their current issues, and understanding the problem and having a possible solution.

Evon Hung

3/23/2018 12:31:46 am

Protest song: A song that has a societal, cultural, or political message that is communicated with the intention of making a statement while/and confronting a separate and often times opposing statement. W

Propaganda song: A song that has a carefully crafted message meant to influence its listeners and intentionally be communicated on a mass level. The message could be political, cultural, or social . Meant to spur action.

'socially conscious' song: A song in which its contexts fit in the societal norms and approvals, current cultural and societal issues direct personal issues, experience: less bias more of an awareness

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