Pussy Riot

    This week we watched a documentary on the group "Pussy Riot". I was shocked to see how seriously the Russian court took this case. There seemed to be an assumption by the three members arrested, Nadya, Yekaterina, and Masha, that prison time would come upon them. There was a powerful respect from myself, to the members for the courage and determination it took to stand up and not be sorry. For being in their 20's, they didn't seem scared throughout the documentary, and were seen smiling in court and not showing remorse for their actions. 
    Outside the court people were shown protesting or supporting Pussy Riot. At one point, a man gets physical with another for different beliefs and the man is seen as "possessed" this stood out to me because fighting over opinions is pretty common around us, but there it was seen as something must be wrong with you if you are acting that way. I also felt the court and people tried to demonize Pussy Riot more than they should've been. They wore neon masks and those colors were described as "acidic colors". How could something like that be used against them so harshly? 
    Overall the documentary was very eye opening to see different perspectives. Rebellions like this happen around us everyday, but the people don't nearly face as harsh punishments as the members of Pussy Riot. I do feel the group is dedicated to what they believe, and I respect that strongly after watching this documentary. 

     

Pussy Riot

This week, learning about the pussy Riot was a very interesting experience. Seeing that this was something that happened recently, it was very interesting to learn that Russia still constricted their peoples freedom of speech that much.

What I enjoyed most about this group is that the truly spoke what was in their heart. They even spoke out against Putin, which was a very VERY bold thing. Even when they faced trial for their actions, they had no remorse. They knew what they had in store for them and they did not care. What they cared about was spreading their message and telling the world THEIR truth. Even after jail time they still continue with their message. These women emulate feminism in it's finest.

Fighting injustice With Pussy Riot

This week we watched a documentary about the Russian girl group, Pussy Riot. Many emotions went through my mind while watching because it blew my mind in so many ways. Here was a group of girls who formed a group in almost 6 months and had followers in the short amount of time. They were very smart in how they did things and it shows how even in a country that proclaims freedom like ours, how similar we see injustices with countries like Russia who are stricter. 

When the documentary first showed the video of what happened, I was personally confused as to why they couldn’t pick a better place to perform the song. Going into a sacred place and singing the song that they sung, did go a little to far. They could have done this outside of the church instead. However, the 3 bandmembers should have not gotten punished the way they did.

Even though I saw what they did offensive, the way witnesses or other Orthodox followers blew what had happened way out of proportion. They were saying that they ruined the building and acted as if they burned the cathedral down. Having a whole day of prayer against the Pussy Riot girls also made me think. 

While watching the documentary my mind went to trials like Emmett Till and more currently the me-too movement. The documentary made me think about how even in America something like this could happen and it does. People every day get sent to jail for crimes they either did not commit or commit misdemeanors and get sentenced like a felony. They have bias witnesses who aren’t fully telling the truth, and everything is feeling based instead of facts. This is what happened for the Pussy Riot trial. 

The members of Pussy Riot did not deserve to get 2 years more in jail. There was no clear evidence on what they were convicted of. There was just witnesses who were offended and things they brought up from the past to make them look worse. The judicial system does the same thing in America. If a minority is at trial, prosecutors will find every little bad thing that person has done in the past to make them look bad. 

Overall, the documentary really opened my eyes on what is going on in the world outside of our country, however it showed how our judicial branch needs work. The more documentaries that are made the more we can see the inside of these problems. 

Pussy Riot

Prior to this weeks class, I had no idea of who the group Pussy Riot was.  As a fan of American Hip-hop and R&B, this is not a group that I would commonly know.  If I was to hear the name, I would've probably just thought it was an explicit pop groups new song, or something of that nature.  However, as I discovered who they were through the documentary, I gained much respect for their craft.  Although I really dislike the sound of the music that they performed, I really respect them as artists.  They really used their voices to speak out on things going on in Russia that they were not in support of, and they went about it very smart and strategically.  I praise them on their idea of popping up in random places, wearing unorthodox costumes to draw attention, and performing their revolt type music.  That idea is genius!  Convince people little by little, and encourage them to also speak out.  I really praise them on this idea, and also on how they took their jail time like champions.  While watching the videos of them about to be sentenced and seeing how calm they were was crazy for me. If I was in a situation in which I was about to get locked up, I could not be that calm.  From what I know, they were really calm also in receiving their sentences.  That's incredible, because for me, even if the judge gives me something minimal as a month to serve, I am hitting the floor!  Although I don't really like the musical aspect, it does kinda remind me of rap music in its sense that it is commonly used as a tool to voice political views.  While I will never listen to their music, I have the upmost respect for Pussy Riot, and their dedication to speaking their minds!

Pussy Riot

Pussy Riot Documentary 

By: Simone Araujo 

In class this week we watched the documentary about Pussy Riot. Pussy Riot is a Russian feminist band founded on August 2011. This documentary is about how Pussy Riot performed at different locations and spread the message for activism. Three Russian women Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina, and Yekaterina Samutsevich were sent to jail for two years because of their performance in a Moscow Cathedral. This documentary was cool to watch because you see three woman who go against all rules to spread a message through music. What's really crazy is how different other countries are from us we have the power to speak freely while some countries like Russia don't. 

I do believe that eventually this can happen to America, one day I think that our rights will get provoked from us and that we will slowly turn into a mini Russia. I've seen it in the school system when students starting kneeling during the anthem, or refused to stand their was disciplinary actions involved. I think that with Pussy Riot around even if it's a Russian band that some sort of awareness can be spread and allow us to openly speak our thoughts. 

Pussy Riot

This week we watched a really informative documentary on a situation involving the Pussy Riot band that will go down in history. Pussy Riot is known for their political messages sent through their song lyrics and performances which pretty much put them in jail. After performing in a Christ Church they were arrested for there risqué outfits and disruptive singing in an inappropriate place.  This girl group is unapologetic for their actions because they feel strongly about their opinions and feel like they should be spread to share awareness amongst their people. They are from Moscow, Russia where they are not a fan of their president Putni. The day he was elected into office was the day Pussy Riot formed.

Throughout their court hearings you could see it in their eyes that they were not regretful of their decisions. They walked into court smiling and waving to people and cameras. Two of the three have spouses and kids so you would think they would be upset that they are taken away from their families. You can tell they feel strongly about this because normally you would say to set a good example for your kids but their lessons to their kids is to stand up for what you believe in and don't let anyone tell you it's wrong.

There were people on the streets who were fighting for their freedom and didn't think they deserved to be put in jail, but there were others who were fighting for them to be put away for years. There are two sides to this situation and it's hard to pick a side. It was disrespectful for them to go into a church were people pray and that is a very special place to some innocent people who didn't ask for this but on the flip side, they are allowed to express themselves however they want and they are standing up for what they believe in. If this happened at a regular concert or performance, things would have been different but it's really just about where they chose to do this.

Overall, the group did something they're allowed to do but they should have done it somewhere else and not disrespected the people of the church who didn't ask for this. They are unapologetic for their actions and due to what they did, they did two years in jail. They are still around today and doing what they do best without a regret!

The Power of Protest

       After watching the documentary on the Russian band Pussy Riot, I took a liking to the band, their message, and how they portrayed their message. For the band members themselves, you must appreciate their confidence and ability to go against such a strong and strict government in Russia, a country known for their harsh ruling and questionably corrupt police force. To stand against such a powerful figure and to hold you ground requires incredible mental strength and willpower. The mental strength of these band members if the first reason in why I quickly took a liking to them.
       The next reason I took a liking to the band was their message. Their message aimed to give women more chances inside a country that for much of history has always favored male power and male rulers. They also conveyed a message that separated the church from the state. Although these views are not unanimous across every person, I found both these messages to be very important, especially for where they were in a country that had always leaned the other way. That being said, I think this message could still be very effective in many other places internationally other than Russia.
       The third and final reason I took a liking to Pussy Riot was the way that they portrayed their message. For most of their performances, the songs were run legally without issue. For me, it was important to peacefully and legally protest certain things because it leads to the inability for any figures of authority to hold anything against you. On the other hand, their final and most performance was performed in an illegal setting, inside a very popular church. However, I believe this was also a very important way of spreading their message. This act spread past the national level and reached places all around the globe. It globalized the message they were trying to spread and put their name in news headlines for months and even years to come. While a peaceful protest is always an efficient way to start, I believe that their final performance was necessary to spreading their message to a wider and more broad audience.
     

A Raging Riot

In class this week we watched the documentary on Pussy Riot. In their "peaceful" protests, they engaged in rioting in the Cathedral. What they did I believe was totally shocking, and out of social norms for their location. I also believe it was not against the law, but was unethical. Most religious sanctuaries are supposed to be kept peaceful, clean, and respectful, etc. They did not do so in participating in their acts. The culture shock I can imagine from the religious people surrounding the Cathedral must have been brutal. I find it really disrespectful that Pussy Riot chose to do their riots in such a location, knowing there would be backlash. I wish that they would have chose a different location such as the center of town or maybe a busy street.

It was really interesting though, to learn about how other places handle incidents like this. I feel like if this were to happen in Massachusetts today, the punishment would not have been as serious. The most likely would have just gotten a trespassing fine at the least. Most of these incidents are often overlooked today because of its controversial effects to us.

Pussy Riot

This week in class we got an inside look on the band Pussy Riot- a band consisting of three young women risking it all to stand up what they believe in. We watched a documentary capturing the bands morals, background, and their famous story of being arrested, jailed and critisized for a performance that will go down in history- some argue for good reason, others for bad. The band is a Russian female protest rock group based in Moscow, Russia. They compose music with unapologetic lyrics, capturing their political beliefs and voice of change. The female punk group consists of three members- Nayda Tolokno, Masha    

Alsokhina, and Yekaterina 

Samutsevich. These women are in their 20s and are risking it all to get their voices heard. They are known in Russia to perform in random locations, unexpected ones where many people will hear their protest music these women classify more as art. Their most famous performance however took place February 21, 2012. The band decided to perform at a location they were sure would spark attention, and they were defineetly right. Pussy Riot stormed Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior and launched into what they would later call a “punk prayer.” Screaming, “Shit! Shit! The Lord’s shit!”. The band defended their performance to not have been disrespecting the church and religion in entirety, but rather the state, President Putin and their feelings of injustice in the political system. However, many took offense to the Pussy Riot performance, and the three members were put on trial. The trail resulted in all three members sentenced to prison for 3 years, and the women took their sentencing with pride. They stood up for what they believed in and were willing to pay the consequences in order to send a powerful message world wide.

Watching the documentary on Pussy Riot in class Tuesday made me realize how much of an impact they really had. We have talked about them and their arrest in class, but I never knew the reason for it. The band lit pictures of Vladimir Putin on fire and performed their protest music in a chapel while wearing ski masks. This led to their arrest and gained a lot of good and bad attention for pussy riot. People get offended by their lyrics and especially screaming them in a place of worship. Others supported their stand and made protests and songs demanding their release from prison. The group was denied bail and were incarcerated though or their trial and eventually sentenced to two years in prison for a crime that didn’t necessarily exist. The all female group finished their sentence and continue to make their controversial music and fight for women’s rights.

The Arrest of Pussy Riot

This week in class we watched a documentary on the band Pussy Riot. I found the documentary extremely interesting and I learned a lot about a band that I had never heard of before. While watching, I was interested to learn that the band was arrested for performing in a church. Although I did know that they were arrested, I did not know why. Before their arrest, the band had performed in other places as a form of protest against the government, and before the band was formed a few of the members were actively involved in other protests. Their acts certainly gained a lot of attention, both good and bad, from the government and public. While many were disgusted by the lyrics and ways that the group performed, there were also people who were in full support and even went as far to have their own protest performances.

            After the arrest of the band, the trail gained a lot of attention from the press and fueled a movement to release them not only in Russia but many other western countries. There were riots and songs written about the trial and the unfairness of it. The initial bail hearing denied the girls of bail and the trail to follow would sentence them for two years in jail for committing a crime that was never proven to be a true crime. 

            One thing that I thought to myself while watching the documentary was how lucky we are to have a justice system that is based on more than just the government’s opinion. In the United States the things that happened during the trail for the members of Pussy Riot would be considered unjust and unlawful. Once they were released from jail the band continued to make music that can be considered controversial and they are still performing today. 

Pussy Riot and Protests

Having watched the documentary Tuesday, I was made aware of just how radical their group sought out to be. Lighting pictures of Putin on fire, performing punk songs in a plethora of public places while screaming at the top of their lungs, even if its in that of a chapel. At first I was a bit skeptical of the approach they made when voicing their concerns, as the protests shown that they have participated in are more upfront than what I am used to seeing in places other than America. However, it seems as even though they have the right to free speech in Russia, it is also highly regulated and censored by that of the government and citizens that wish to keep the general air of peace. Being as oppressed as they are made out to be, I was a little less surprised that the band as well as other people have no problem with letting opinions be heard, even if that means putting on performances that go to the extreme. Although the messages they put out are more resistant than the usual in their society, I understand why they are in observing how much they have been ignored for the most part in their country and what they have to do to break through a significantly tougher crowd.  I agree with some of their messages and I think they are very courageous in what they do, but I would be a little more open if they were to tone down future protests in comparison to what they've done in the past. Yes, shocking protests grab the attention of its viewers, but its another thing if they can barely get past the shock value to try and find some insight into the situation currently unfolding in front of them that they were to never expect in the first place.

1980s

The 1980's were infamous for music and some of the most infamous songs were produced during this time. The greatest Rock n' Roll songs were produced like Livin' on a Prayer, Jump, Pour Some Sugar on Me, Don't Stop Believin', Another One Bites the Dust, Eye of the Tiger, Free Fallin', along with many others. There were also other great hits like I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Man in the Mirror, and Africa by Toto.

When we were listening to music from the 80's in class, most of the music was familiar to me because my parents always played it when I was younger. My mom is a huge fan of Boy George who was in the band Culture Club which were a huge group in the 80's. I think he is an extremely interesting person because he has always been so different and not afraid to do certain things, even if they are so simple, like wearing makeup. In my opinion, I think that people like him during the time in which my parents were growing up changed the music industry forever. Music was becoming more mainstream and more people were watching channels like MTV, creating more originality and uniqueness amongst people. Music videos allowed artists to share their music in a way they never had before, and the influence artists had over listeners was huge. Music was and is able to produce so much change and is still so influential over many aspects of life today. 

The never ending decade

The 80's is a decade that just won't die. Its still very prevalent in todays society whether it be through music, film, or fashion. I want to talk about how the 80's success just seems to never go away and how its still prevalent in our society.

First I want to talk about music. While the generation is gone, its music isn't. People everywhere are still listening to music from the 80's and feel as though its some of the best music that has ever been made. The amount of songs from the 80's that we still hear in everyday life is amazing. People probably don't realize how much its still on, and just sing to it like its any other tune, but in reality, it plays more than we think. Some of the songs that we still hear a lot today are "I wanna dance with somebody", "Don't stop believing", "living on a prayer", and "push it".

Next I want to talk about the movies. While obviously technology, filming, animation, and SFX, have improved and todays films are generally better filmed, people still love old classics. Not only are the 80's films still viewed today but they are often taken and remade with a modern twist on them. Some of these movies include "Back to the future", "ET","Ghost Busters", and "The Shining".

Finally I want to bring up the fashion. Im sure there are many styles from the 80's that some wished had come, gone, and stayed away, but that isn't the case. Many styles from the 80's are making a comeback and people either love or hate it. Some of these trends that we see very commonly today, which are actually from the 80's include high waisted jeans, power suits, acid washed denim, bomber jackets, and large logos.

Overall the 80's has not only had a huge impact on our lives today but its original glory still lives on. We see so much of it still today and frankly the 80's is truly the decade that will never die.

80's

    While growing up I have always been surrounded by 80's music in my house and on car rides with my dad. So when we had started to get into this topic I was very intrigued and excited to learn more. I am one who loves listening to music from a more modern and up to date stance, but don't get me wrong when 80's music comes on, I am not one to complain.

It is eyeopening to see how much of an impact that music can have in the world, and how far it really goes. Years later and the music from that decade is still being played all the time. Hearing Jessies Girl in class was definitely one of my favorites we have listened to in the class, with it being one of my favorite 80's songs. 

Seeing how big MTV was back then was cool to see that it has made it this far, although it is most definitely not the same. Over this was one of my favorite topics we discussed all semester.  

1980's

When I think of the 1980's, I immediately think movies and music. I will argue that the 1980's produced the greatest movies thus far in American history. It was also filled with great music.

Some of the best movies of every genre were produced in the 1980's including, "The Breakfast Club," "Heathers," "Sixteen Candles," "Footloose," "The Princess Bride," "The Shining," "Die Hard," and "Empire Strikes Back."

Even the movies that did not do well in their time, have now been coined as "Cult Classics" by movie lovers of today.

Alongside movies, music was thriving in the 80's. Artists like Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Rick Springfield, and Queen were all making great music. While you are doing homework, or just have some free time, click the song titles, and listen:

"Crazy Little Thing Called Love" - Queen
"Another Brick in the Wall pt. II" - Pink Floyd
"Still Rock and Roll to Me" - Billy Joel
"Jack and Diane" - John Mellencamp
"Billy Jean" - Michael Jackson
"Come on Eileen" - Dexys Midnight Runners

80s Forever

The 80s will forever go down in history. As we sat in class Thursday November 15th, if not all, most of the songs we listened to I was familiar with. I had my foot tapping to the beat and I was singing the lyrics in my head as if I were in my car. Songs such as money for nothing, I love Rock and Roll, Another One Bites the Dust, I Want To Know What Love Is, Jump and so many other songs have made their mark. I thoroughly enjoy a lot of 80s music. I find it to be genuine and fun. A student said in class this past week that he or she felt that singers in the 80s had more of a raw, authentic talent whereas in todays world, autotune is an artists best friend! I couldn't have agreed more. I feel that artists back in the day had more of a raw talent and songs that people could just sing along to like no one was looking and thoroughly enjoy themselves. I hope my kids and the younger generation are able to appreciate 80s music as we do. 
. 

80'S THRILLER

            there is no denying that Michael Jackson is one of the most controversial celebrities of all time. he had so much controversy in his private life and his music. today I would like to focus on his music and albums the one album I would like to focus on is thriller because that album was huge back then.
           the album sold over 66 million copies worldwide in a year and still holds the title of the worlds best selling album. It is the second best selling album in the united states and was the first album to reach 30 times platinum having 33 million copies sold. in 1984 the album won eight Grammys including album of the year all of these wins were record-breaking. it produced seven hit single that reached the top ten on the billboard hot 100 united states charts the girl is mine, Billie Jean, beat it, wannabe startin' somethin', human nature, P.Y.T. pretty young thing, and thriller. post thriller success Micheal Jackson was on MTV regularly, met president Ronald Reagan at the white house.  
           Pre thriller success Jackson was not gaining airtime on MTV and radio the way he should have been because he was a black man. Many agreed with him including CBS Records president Walter Yetnikoff fought with MTV over the phone for him and said: "I'm not going to give you any more videos and I'm going to go public and fucking tell them about the fact you don't want to play music by a black guy". MTV aired Billie Jean and beat it for mainstream recognition also denied racism claims.




citation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_(Michael_Jackson_album)

Hair, Makeup, Guitar Solos , and the 80's

This week we got an intro in the start of Rock and Roll. I think it is cool how not only rock, but all of the genres of musical have originated from blues and jazz music. When we first started to listen to the early rock music it sounded jazzier than the rock music we know now. 

I feel like Rock music is a very significant genre because it is so broad and has so many mini genres in it. 

            From soft rock, to hard core screamo, there is rock music for everyone. In each decade there was a different type of rock style. The early rock was mainly pianos and other instruments like trumpets and saxophones. In class on Thursday, we read an article about the 80’s. It said how throughout the decade, the sound of rock changed, but the sound of the 80’s still remains today.

            Whether it’s a party, or a karaoke session with your friends, you will most likely come across a song from the 80’s being played as a bunch of teenagers scream the lyrics. Our generation was nowhere near born during the 80’s, but music travels, especially the 80’s. The rock movement in the 80’s seemed to be led by Europeans. When reading the article and watching the documentary, many of the popular bands who raised to power in the 80’s was mostly from European countries. From having bands from another region, could have also been a reason on the change of sound in Rock Music. 

During class we also talked about the start of MTV. This also might have played a role in the change in rock music from where it started to where it is now. With MTV, artists were able to look at other artists and jump off of their ideas. It made artists see what they liked and what they did not like about the upcoming wave of new music. 

The 80’s showed a lot and was a big part of the foundation of the music today. If you listen to certain artists, you can hear in some of their music that the 80’s have influenced them. One band that does this is the 1975. They are a British band that uses a lot of the same techniques and sounds as bands in the 80’s had. In music today, you can hear the heavy use of guitar and guitar solos, and also the electronic sounds featured in the songs. Like the article said, the 80’s will never leave us. 

80s Forever

There are so many songs from the 80s that people still listen to all the time. I know growing up my parents listened to a lot of songs from the 80s, so a lot of them are very familiar to me. These songs are just so different from what people listen to today, but they had a lot of influence on it. These artists created a platform for pop stars today. Different movies, tv shows, and other songs reference songs from the 80s. This is why people tend to call the 80s the decade that won't die. For example, the opening of Walk the Moon's, "Shut Up and Dance" starts with a riff that is found similar to that of a song from U2. Another song reference that could also be seen as a movie reference is when the Black Eyed Peas used "Time of Our Life" from Dirty Dancing as the chorus of their song "The Time (Dirty Bit)." Many other references can be seen throughout recent pop culture of people mimicking the popular tunes of the 80s. Even in popular shows, they use 80s culture and popular references to make the show seems like it took place then even though it is filmed currently. For example, the popular show "Stranger Things" takes place in a small town in the 80s. So many things relate back to the 80s because it was such a good time and everyone loved it. They enjoyed the culture and the music and way life went.

The Visual 80's

   This week we learned about the 80's and the impact it had on society. I didn't realize the importance that MTV had on the decade. For artists, it was a way to spread they're music and gain popularity with music videos. Musicians would have interesting music videos or outfits to attract fans. For viewers, it was waiting for MTV to come on TV to get your new music. Now, our music can be streamed instantly, in the 80's there was an anticipated wait. You could see artist, and know what they looked like rather than listening on the radio. 
      We watched a countdown of songs and music videos in the 80's. I was shocked on how many of the songs I knew. I love how the songs still have a popularity or importance today. I often find myself listening to oldies like the ones on the countdown over some of the modern songs. I wonder if the music our generation listens to , will still be listened to after a few decades.

The 1980's in the 21st Century

       

       In class this week we visited music and artists from the 1980's, and read into what kind of power and effect these songs and artists ad on the public at that time. Now I must admit that I am not the biggest fan of older music, but when I do listen to I have to admit that some songs are much better than songs that are considered hits today. Out of the songs we visited in class, some bigger ones were "Another One Bites The Dust", "Jessie's Girl", and "I Love Rock and Roll". These three stood out to me for various reasons.

       For "Another One Bites the Dust", I was not as familiar with this song, but I knew it was still a popular hit. However in class I was thoroughly embarrassed to see that the band Queen produced it, not Michael Jackson. Why I thought he produced it, I cannot tell you, please don't judge me for this mistake. 

        "I Love Rock and Roll" was a notable track for me due to the fact that it was reproduced by Britney Spears in the year 2001. This just provides further proof that the 80's generation of music will always continue to be remastered.

       The third song, "Jessie's Girl" was a notable song for me because I still often hear this song on the radio while driving, not on the old hits stations, but even in current popular music stations. Now this I have to agree with, on the basis that this song is indeed an absolute banger and should be popular for the rest of humanity.

       One song that I was surprised to not see among the popular songs was "Africa" by Toto. I know this song was at one point popular but it's apparent that it was not enough so during the 1980's. However, furthermore cementing the 1980's as one of the best decades of music, "Africa" was reproduced by Wheezer in 2018 and was instantly a top hit. These reoccurring rise to fame simply cements the music from the 1980's as timeless art that will be remade and remastered for decades to come.

1980s

The 1980s is the decade that is known to never die.  In class, we were shown a video of the top 10 songs from the decade and they were all familiar songs.  While I personally did not know all of the songs due to growing up around R&B, oldies, and hip hop, I still recognized a few.  This is due to how catchy each song is.  They were also all songs that are repeatedly played on different sorts of media, causing them to be known nationwide.  I believe that the catchiness of these songs allows them to be played over and over, and will simply allow the 80s to never die.  While I was not raised around people who listen to this music by choice, nor do I, I have no problem with this age living on. I always like to sing along with the little bits and pieces of these songs that I know, and I slightly enjoy it.  I believe that some of these songs will live on for longer than others, but with our world, they will all inevitably die out one day, causing the 80s to die.

The 1980s Still Lives On

The 1980s Still Lives On 

By: Simone Araujo 

This week in class we spent going over the 1980s especially going over the top hits that are still known and popular today. We learned about when MTV made it's debut in 1981 and how it has went through such a journey and it is still popular today. 

One song that is probably my favorite song from the 1980s is Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne I like this song because it's a feel good song and it's the anthem for the New England Patriots. 

I liked hearing all of the popular songs from the 1980s because you still hear them today especially in movies. The evolution of rock and roll still continues. Long live the rock n' roll!

The decade that just won't die

This week in class we spent class looking at the 1980s and just how remarkable the generation really was. We looked at a very interesting documentary taking us through the most popular trends of the 80s and the songs that still get stuck in our heads 40 years later. I was truly surprised to see that all top ten songs of the 1980s were songs I quickly recognized, and still enjoy to this day. One of my personal favorite songs from the 80s is Cindi Lauper's "Time after Time". I think this is a perfect song representing the 80s and just how extra they really were. The hair, makeup, outfits and beat of the song capture the decade perfectly.

Music really came to be what it is today in all thanks to what we know and love as MTV. In 1981 MTV made its debut. Many people at first were doubtful of MTV and thought it would be unsuccessful, but as we know it is extremely popular even today. It helped spike the popularity of so many bands and helped their albums sell. The first song and video to premiere was "Video Killed The Radio Star" by the Buggles. MTV was very different in the 80s than it is today. Instead of cheesy reality TV, it was only a station that constantly aired varying music performances of artists from the 80s. This created a new evolution of music and made artists so much more than just a voice, but rather a performer as well.

The 80's

Today in class, we talked about the 80's and how they are so much different from today. In the article we read, the author discussed the different things artist would sing about. For example, they sang about how they hoped to live up to their goals and make a big name for themselves. This is completely different from today whereas people sing about their fortune, cars and their luxurious lifestyles. Another difference is that there weren't many protest songs, rather than some songs that mentioned the Cold War, also unlike today. Now artists are constantly using their talents and fanbases as a platform to get their messages out and trying to make a change in the matter. As the person in the video put it, the 80's were all about just having fun.

The 80's was also a very influential time in music with the creation on MTV, where music videos were played. This helped to bring different bands careers farther than they would have without music videos. This was a creative outlet for some of them. I could never imagine life without music videos when I was younger, however, I do not necessarily watch them as frequently as I used to. Regardless, they still help to show a main message of a song and what artists want their audiences to envision when listening to their songs.

Overall, the 80's seemed to be a fun time where there was less judgement and people were able to express themselves however they wanted to. This is shown specifically with the gender swapping as men showed some femininity and women showed some masculinity. A prime example of this would be Boy George. I think he helped to make those somewhat like him feel like they weren't alone and making everyone know that it's okay to express yourself however you want to. The 80s were an eventful time and gave me a whole new look on music.

Video Killed The Radio Star

While we were watching the documentary of how MTV and it's music videos broke the boundaries for the music industry, demanding artists for visuals just as good as their songs, I was reminded of a tune that encapsulates the entire message we heard of in class today. With its incredibly peppy synth beats, "Video Killed The Radio Star" by The Buggles mourns for the old technology being replaced with the new, specifically that of radio slowly being replaced by   the captivating new tool, television. The lead singer even begins the song with this verse, "I heard you on the wireless back in fifty two/Lying awake intent at tuning in on you/If I was young it didn't stop you coming through", reminiscing back to 1952, when he used to tune into and listen to stars on the radio meant for everyone to listen to.

Along with television, the second verse acknowledges machine or computers programs now being able to create instrumentals artificially, "They took the credit for your second symphony/Rewritten by machine on new technology/And now I understand the problems you can see" however this inauthentic recreation doesn't sound as good as the same instruments played live would. 

Leading up to the chorus, are a few lines asking what parents told their children about the days of radio, "Oh a oh/I met your children/Oh a oh/What did you tell them?", which to the ever repeating chorus responds "Video killed the radio star" which hits home the big message of how the emergence of television put radio out of fashion. A line that also typically follows the chorus, "In my mind and in my car, we can't rewind we've gone too far/Pictures came and broke your heart Put down the blame on VCR" tells of how it is too late to go back in this sudden progression of technology, as it has already created videos that overshadowed the radio and its stars.

In the only other verse of the song, "And now we meet in an abandoned studio/We hear the playback and it seems so long ago/And you remember the jingles used to go", it is described of how possibly the lead singers and the band members hear the playback of the radio and its jingles, in a studio that is now abandoned, just as their career has been in the midst of television arising. 

Work Cited:

“Buggles (Ft. Debi Doss & Linda Jardim) – Video Killed the Radio Star.” Genius, Genius Media Group Inc., 7 Sept. 1979, genius.com/Buggles-video-killed-the-radio-star-lyrics.

Katrina

         For class, I read an interesting article on the effects that hurricane Katrina had on local rappers in New Orleans.  The reading talked about the effect it had on the music coming out of the area, from local artists to greats like Lil Wayne.  The "Dirty South" was breaking stereotypes and making some politically influenced music, based on what was going on.  However, the music still held southern norms, such as giving shout outs to their personal hoods, and rapping about usual content.
         The events following Katrina really showed how much the country really cares for its Black citizens.  The severity of that storm is nothing that could ever be argues, and to see how so many people suffered was awful.  While evacuations were in place, a lot of people of low-incomes could not afford to leave; some had no place to go.  This caused people to stay in their house, which proved to be very deadly!  I remember watching heartbreaking videos of people sitting on the roofs of their house just waiting for help; help that barely was given to people in inner-city New Orleans.  The United States gave minimal assistance to the people affected by the storm in New Orleans! Why is that the case is something that one might ask.  The answer was because the United States did not really care, because this was in an African-American dominated city.  Most of the post Katrina affects  effected Black, and everybody knows that if this happened in a place with more white people, the United States would've intervened so much more.  That is why Kanye West's statement that George Bush did not care about Black people was so felt and valid.  It was proven during this awful storm!

Real Men Kill and a Woman Never Talks Back

This week I wrote an article summary on “Real Men Kill and a Lady Never Talks Back: Gender Goes to War in Country Music” by Lesley Pruitt. I was initially intrigued by the title, but the content of the article was extremely interesting. Pruitt talks about the controversial comments made by the Dixie Chicks and Willie Nelson about their anti-war position. Pruitt explains that the backlash that the Dixie Chicks faced was much worse than that of Nelson solely based on their gender and the expectation the country music scene has for them. 

The Dixie Chicks were isolated and practically forced out of the spotlight while Nelson was simply called an “outlaw” and celebrated. The comments made towards the trio were sexist and diminished their credibility as not only musicians, but also United States citizens. The lead vocalist Maines, the one who made the anti-war comments, spent her time defending herself as a patriot and her position instead of supporting the cause she stood for. Pruitt talks a lot about the manly image that male country stars are so desperate to protect and how this cause Nelson’s anti-war song to be considered part of this act. Political figures and other people in the music industry commented on the Dixie Chicks actions and referred to them as problematic and disloyal as well as irrational and childlike. While the Dixie Chicks music was banned from many country music stations, Nelson’s anti-war song was his only work not receiving air time. This distinction was what made this article so interesting to me and how there is such a major difference in the treatment of men and women based solely on gender. 

A List of Female Anthems

1. Nancy Sinatra - These Boots Are Made For Walking

    Nancy Sinatra delivers a killer track filled with confidence and conviction amid the thought that her man is being dishonest. Any man in his right mind would be concerned to learn that such a song was about him. From finding “a brand new box of matches” to “walk[ing] all over” someone, Sinatra makes it clear that she won’t just stand by and let herself be disrespected.

2. Sara Bareilles - Love Song

Sara Bareilles’ “Love Song” is an absolute bop that covers the concept of the singer telling her significant other that she will not write them a love song just because they want one. Not only does it take away the beauty and value of a love song by asking, but when the S.O. threatens to leave her for it, she claims that the relationship isn’t worth keeping anyway. Not to mention that this song led to a very lively cover by Massachusetts based, melodic hardcore band Four Year Strong.

3. Sløtface - Shave My Head

    Norwegian punk group, Sløtface’s (Slutface’s) “Shave My Head” is a more modern jam that involves female autonomy and the refusal to rely on the support and approval of a boyfriend. The idea that the singer would rather build her “IKEA chairs with glasses of red wine” than him “explaining their design” emphasizes the notion that she is perfectly capable of surviving on her own.

4. The Runaways - Cherry Bomb

    Dropping back in time to an earlier, but not by far the earliest song included in this list, we have The Runaways’ “Cherry Bomb.” The track, performed by the all female punk outfit including Joan Jett and Lita Ford, certainly packs a powerful punch. The song itself is truly a cherry bomb.

5. Bad Cop/Bad Cop - Womanarchist

    Following closely in the femme-punk footsteps of The Runaways, Bad Cop/Bad Cop gun straight for the patriarchy with “Womanarchist.” The band cover multiple issues and ideas within the song, ultimately claiming that it’s the right of women to choose how to live their lives and accordingly, everyone else’s “fight to lose” when addressing them and their treatment. They express definitively that equality is not an option.

6. Against Me! - Transgender Dysphoria Blues

    One could argue as to whether or not this song should be included in a list such as this, since technically it tackles issues faced from being transgender. What is neglected in those arguments, however, is that it’s specifically written about being a trans-woman. Whether someone is assigned female at birth or not, they are no less female than anyone who was assigned it at birth. We nonetheless follow the experience of a woman being looked down upon on the basis of her gender. Not to mention that both types of conflicts sprout from a flawed gender system anyway. Also, while not necessarily anthemic, it’s a truly powerful song about failure to be accepted as a woman and fellow human being.

7. Joan Jett and The Blackhearts - Bad Reputation

    This track has been a staple of female empowerment for years. Making its way onto both the Shrek soundtrack, and more recently the entrance music for professional fighter and world renowned female icon, Ronda Rousey. I could go on but we covered it in class.

8. Beyoncé - Run The World (Girls)

    Once again I could go on about this track, but it’s one of the biggest hits of our time that fits this list. If you need a reminder as to who runs the world, give it a listen.

9. The Interrupters - She Got Arrested

    The Interrupters have been making waves in the ska scene as of late, with their most recent single “She’s Kerosene” dominating radio play among stations within the genre last summer. With “She Got Arrested,” lead singer Aimee Interrupter delivers a truly unapologetic song about a woman who gets convicted for murdering an abusive partner and would “do it again.”

10. Aretha Franklin - RESPECT

    Another piece covered in class earlier this semester. Aretha Franklin speaks for just about all women when she soulfully demands the respect that she deserves as both a human being, and a provider for herself and others.

I could go on forever with this list. While each song certainly deserves its own bio/introduction, I would never be able to publish this to the class because I would never complete it. New songs are written every day, and there are countless options already in store. Here are several extras that I hope if you haven’t heard before, you will certainly give a try now.

The Eurythmics feat. Aretha Franklin - Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves

Donna Summer - She Works Hard For The Money

Lily Allen - Hard Out There

Christina Aguilera - Can’t Hold Us Down

No Doubt - Just A Girl

Fifth Harmony - BO$$

Little Mix - Salute

Jenny Lewis - Just One of The Guys

Bikini Kill - Rebel Girl Kelly Clarkson - Miss Independent

Again there are many, many more songs that deserve to be here. Feel free to comment any ones that stick out to you as songs that were missed.