Popular music can change political stance by motivating and bringing awareness to the people. Some musical forms with their effects have had to be banned by the government as they were so powerful. Protest Songs for instance Red Wedge with The Red Flag, supporting the Labour Party in the 89 Elections, were used to enforce political movement. But their fail of winning shows how popular music isn’t always a force for political change. Even National Anthems which show a symbol of the country has political residence, being the reason why England v Ireland at Croke Park, Ireland didn’t want England’s anthem sung as last time both played at Croke Park, Ireland supporters were shoot. While Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday pushed barriers of segregation. However there is no factual evidence that such music has changed anything. This music is seen more as a soundtrack to the life at the time and its happenings, rather than making any political change. ‘Awareness’ campaigns (or as Shuker calls ‘conscious rock’) such as Band Aid can be seen as helping situations in third world countries by raising money, but there has been no long term solving of the problem, and on the other hand it helps the careers of the artists more so.
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Red Wedge were not a band and they didn't record The Red Flag. Oe of the founders of the movement, Billy Bragg did however perform a version of it on his EP The Internationale. You have touched on some relevant and interesting points but overall this post feels a little rambling.
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