Do politics keep you from liking certain artists?

[skvorisdeadsorta]

I would like to say a here here to Mary on this........I went to Le Tigre and while I totally like their political stances on alot of things, man do they suck! SUCK! SUCK! It really made me appreciate Bikini Kill so much more.

[Rit]

The only reason this is even a concern is because of the consensus that artists lean to the left, and as it stands this is another talking point for the right to use in a simplistic debate.

this was a perfectly succinct summary of what i think of the question. wicked.

[ken]

No doubt, Rit. You and I, totally eye to eye on everything.

[shin]

Go back within the history of recorded thought and you'll find artists making political statements. The world is a better place for it, if for no other reason than the inherent beauty of free speech, rebellion and individuality.

No man is qualified to tell others whether their views are acceptable for public consumption. And no person's occupation should dictate the seriousness of how we entertain their thoughts.

What does a janitor know anyway?
What does a trash collector know anyway?
What gives a meter maid the right to think she knows anything about politics?
Where does a singer get off thinking he can tell us what he thinks?

[ScottsyII]

Thats all I was saying too. If a band sucks ass, they suck, politics or no. I largely overlook politics spouted by artists, unless they produce some really firey music with it. I couldn't care less what a celeb has to say, unless he has some sort truth to tell... with sincerity. You can tell it when you hear it.

Most political music isn't insincere anyways.

Rit thinks I have an inflexible view of life?! This dude probably needs to get to know me better. Sorry Rit. I think you're cool, but I don't think you have a clue about who I am or what I'm like. You read my post way wrong.

[ken]

"Imagine", by John Lennon, has leftist leanings, and is a complete classic.

[ken]

Best political band today? Britney Spears. Support the President, y'all.

[Galactus]

Modern R&B based music...yes it's all still R&B/gospel based...began as means for expression. Often times by slaves who had hide the real meaning of song for fear thier owner might find out they wrote a song about how they planned to escape. Once they were free they still didn't have nothin' and wrote songs about that...well that and ballin'. Who doesn't like ballin'? So it's always been political and it's always been about throwin' a leg over. It's very basic thing. It's also a given those with a stage will have a louder voice....I agree some abuse that but it's hard for me to ever fault someone for for speaking their mind...except Toby Keith. I fucking hate Toby Keith.

[Thorngrub]

jackory said:

An example of contemptible political views:

Bruce Springsteen..."Drive All Night": "I swear I'd drive all night again just to buy you some shoes..." Doesn't the Boss know there's a supply-and-demand imbalance in our fuel consumption that has contributed to the high cost of gasoline? A bit wasteful to make such a long distance journey for the sake of purchasing footwear, don't you think? And he says he'd do it AGAIN, so this implies that he's done it before. No wonder gas is over 2 bucks a gallon...Why doesn't he just buy 'em online and have 'em delivered overnight?

I'll never listen to Springsteen again.

This is a funny example ("drive all night to buy some shoes")

But you're not serious about never listening to the Boss again, are ya JAC -? Sometimes I just don't know when you're being sarcastic or not.

[Thorngrub]

And I can vouch for Scottsy being way cool, Rit. NO need to be harshin on him like you did.

[JACkory]

thorny said:

jackory said:

An example of contemptible political views:

Bruce Springsteen..."Drive All Night": "I swear I'd drive all night again just to buy you some shoes..." Doesn't the Boss know there's a supply-and-demand imbalance in our fuel consumption that has contributed to the high cost of gasoline? A bit wasteful to make such a long distance journey for the sake of purchasing footwear, don't you think? And he says he'd do it AGAIN, so this implies that he's done it before. No wonder gas is over 2 bucks a gallon...Why doesn't he just buy 'em online and have 'em delivered overnight?

I'll never listen to Springsteen again.

This is a funny example ("drive all night to buy some shoes")

But you're not serious about never listening to the Boss again, are ya JAC -? Sometimes I just don't know when you're being sarcastic or not.

Of course I was not being serious.
In fact, I just now listened to Tunnel Of Love.
What an awesome album that is.
I've always considered it one of his best.
At the end of the day I could care less about which presidential candidate Springsteen supported or what he thinks of the war in Iraq. These songs are a part of my life and they touch me in a way that is much too deep to be tossed aside just because I disagree with the man's politics.

[skvorisdeadsorta]

Nebraska is still probably one of the best records I have ever heard.

[Rit]

And I can vouch for Scottsy being way cool, Rit. NO need to be harshin on him like you did.

no no, i have no beef with Scottsy at all.
i know, for example, that he has good tastes musically...

[Artknocker]

"Imagine" is utter utopian wanking.

shin said:

No man is qualified to tell others whether their views are acceptable for public consumption.

Then perhaps you should take your own advice, shin, and get off my ass.

[Artknocker]

mary said:

now - that's not to say i don't cringe when i hear some clueless musician or actor start loudly and arrogantly mouthing off about some political issue in a fashion that betrays their complete cluelessness.