Music changes depending on whether Democrats or Republicans?

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1

I have a theory that music is more guitar-driven and genuine during Democratic presidential rule. Oppositely, Republican presidents bring more superficial and studio-rich music.

Now, I’ve only noticed it during the Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and Bush administrations because these were the only ones I was alive for.

First, during the Reagan and Bush years: Flock of Seagulls, Hairbands, Culture Club, and other types of keyboard or synthesizer studio over-processing took place. In the case of hair bands, their music took alot of studio magic to come out clean, and their music had a very superficial message.

Second, during the Clinton years (1992): Tool releases their first album, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden arrive. Hairbands and synthesizers die and give way to the resurgence of legends like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Wildflowers). Weezer releases the Blue album. Woodstock makes its first appearance since the 60’s! Overall, music takes more of a guitar-driven, acoustic stance that can be performed without the aid of studio effects.

Third, during the new Bush era: Emo takes hold, but not before modern rock turns into a mush of Rap-Rock, Staind, Nickelback, and Lincoln Park. Now modern rockers are whining about their childhoods and dissing their friends. Little did we know that Emo would become larger than we could ever imagine, making Sugar Ray’s bubblegum drivel seem like a legitimate successor to Led Zeppelin.

Finally, Today: A new decision awaits our country and,maybe,record executives. I may be wrong about this political/musical correlation, but only time will tell if we elect a democrat. Sure, there are exceptions to all of these time periods, but I think there’s no denying the general trends of the day. If Obama/Biden win and Emo dies within a year of two, more credibility will be lent to this theory. Until the musical climate changes, I cannot play the type of music I respect and expect a warm reception.


Please do not crucify me… This is only a theory and I’m curious to know if anyone else has had these same kinds of thoughts or agrees/disagrees.

I just want music to go back to how it used to be in 60s/70s, when even the pop stars wrote good songs and musicians were the ones writing these good songs. I know that day will come again and I would do anything to help it happen.



**TJ of Doppler
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“I know when I started I would have been happy to sound like the Beatles or Joe Tex or whoever. You want to sound like most bands, you want to sound like their records and that’s how you learn your chops.”
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2

I saw this post over at Gibson, now removed, but here is what I was going to respond with…

I see your point there, and it’s an interesting parallel…

However…

  • Synth’s must be clarified for me at least, since they have been around music and used in just about every genre regardless of time, or government party in power - even blues!

  • Every progression in music is a product of its successor. This is true within each band, genre, and the world as a whole. If you look on the surface you will see trends come and go, but look under it and you find this wave of momentum pushing new creativity out and up from REAL people, not the ones in it for fame glory or a spot on billboard for a few weeks. Many musician’s also respond to government powers, and thus the sound produced to make a point are used. Then of course, others copy it and use it to flame others, and that sells these days since it is quite an ignorant and superficial society - generally speaking of course.

  • Music reflects the media, music is media, and it takes media to make music big quickly. You don’t hear about Saul Williams and the Gibson guitars he uses in his band, you hear about Slash using a Les Paul in a Wii game. They don’t have a MOOG playable joystick for Wii yet either…

Superficially, I agree… but deep down I don’t
:laughing:

In order to “make it happen” the only thing you can do is stick to your values and not sell out to make it big. Selling an already popular song to make some extra cash from an advertising blitz isn’t a bad thing - if it serves the purpose. However selling what you sell in order for something as superficial as fame would not get to your goal. I say make the music you like, and put it out there. The only power we have as musicians is to do what we want to, and write good music, we don’t have say over what the masses will follow… Tool for example is successful, and they do what they want for them, and not specifically to make sales.

3

then bring on Jack White!

4

I think it depends on the record company executives.

Probably we can all agree that the 80’s was a black hole for music. Its like the biggest artists were Heavy metal bands and people like Sting and Phil Collins, and even Jazz went by the wayside. Lets not forget about the death of Menudo and the Rise of the New Kids. Also its worthy to mention the rise of gangster rap (also heavy synth laden).

THen Nirvana came out and the record execs tried to can and celophane that formula creating all the copycat bands that they tried to capitalize on.

THen Korn came out (and Creed my timeline might be off) and the execs take the combination of Creeds “Ruh Ruh Ruh” vocal style with Korn’s vocal growls and beats (which I termed the new heavy metal beat as opposed to the pantera/metallica style from earlier) and bands like the deftones started emerging. Now were left with a lot of whiny singers and suicide music. Lets not forget about Nickelback and Nickel Creek and all of the other bands who they tried to freeze dry and shrinkwrap to the age demographic of 14-26.

I think that its the record companies to blame rather than the presidents.

Now what are we faced with? An onslaught of Synth-Vocal pop singers starting from Cher to Brittney SPears, THe JOnas Brothers who carry the torch of the whiny vocal style and Hannah Montana tickets going for over 1200 on ebay.



I know this is a narrow view and im not dissing on any genre or band but this is how i percieved it because it sounds like the OP and I are about the same age.

Respectfully,
Eric

5

Saul Williams selling Nike is like Rage against the Machine on a GAP commercial.

6

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

Nice one!

Overall I think the trends match, the more superficial the party, the more superficial the music - it always starts at the top, but that has everything to do with money.

The next trend (soon to be exploited) is focused on consciousness, and evolution of our species… and judging simply from these two opinions, based on the theory Obama will get elected… and I personally think we need it!!

Lead with emptiness, end up a shell.

7

I bet they’ve sold “Che” shirts at The Gap…

8

Heres something we can tell some of the younger people…

I remember back in my day…no we didn’t walk to school in the snow…but listen up young whippersnappers…I remember back when the word “Alternative” meant the opposite of commercial…Alternative meant underground. When it became a genre on Columbia House CD catalogs it was already dead. Now alternative means pop and Nirvana Songs are on Guitar Hero games.
THey sure don’t make them like they used to…(Falls into sporadic nap wakes up from nightmare about Courtney Love)

Eric

9

Was it? The reality may be missed here! The 80’s produced great music which ultimately influenced the great popular music of the 90’s!

I won’t bother to name bands because there has been too much good shit in every decade from bands/musicians whom have never made money/fame but have influenced musicians who have made it work for the style influenced by pop culture in their time!

Hence the whole idea of a cover that sounds better than the original! :confused:

Cheers,
theglyph

10

every era in music has its disasterous side and its incredible side, its just certain parts get emphasised more during different periods. the 80s were a great time in music history i think. you had bands like sonic youth, my bloody valentine, dinosaur jr all making a name for themselves. industrial music was going strong in the underground. and pop music was still pretty good (would thomas dolby been as big in any other decade?) , until the boy bands took over. the 90s had their share of utter crap, like all the “grunge” cookie cutter bands with flanel and ripped jeans, that were spewed all over the place, and when it became cool not to know how to sing well. then the boy band/girl singer thing exploded even more. and everyone complains about music now but theres still alot of good stuff to be had. Nine inch nails not only putting out more than one album in a year, or with in 4 years for that matter, but FREE albums along with Radiohead (they did it 1st i know) and Saul Williams. and there is alot of really good electronic music brewing, just look at all the bands/projects on this forum.

but going back to the original statement i dont really know if its pollitics that fuels the music industry but it sure helps

11

Hey thats just 1 perspective. Granted Im from Arkansas, so we got everything about 5 years late too. I didn’t even know who Nirvana was until he allegedly blew his head off. (I was up to me pupils in in Hendrix during that time period.)

There was some great stuff to come out of the 80’s, namely Metallica Pantera, Beastie Boys Branford Marsalis Prince and many more…im certianly not trying to speak the definitive speech here either..just reflecting a niche I noticed.

I do have to disagree with you though, I think there has only been a teeny teeny tiny bit of covers that do any justice to the originals. (Dare I mention Aerosmith’s Come Togeher or G&R’s Knockin on Heavens door [only to open it and puke] or Alanis’s god forsaken humps?) :laughing: Hats off to Clapton shooting the Sherrif but not to the Cure’s Purple Haze!

I do think though that there is something to be said about the music business suddenly being a slave to the internet where artists produce themselves for a change (I think Prince started that?) WIth the Viral VIdeos and instant Internet stars like Chocholate Rain (all respect to him) there is a new frontier ahead.

Respectfully,
Eric

12

deemix is a great platform for exploring how music evolves with time and culture. Whether it’s during Democratic or Republican eras, music always mirrors society’s emotions and changes. Artists adapt their sound to express what people are feeling, showing how politics and music stay deeply connected.

1 Like
13

Art has a rhythm of going from rules to no rules and back again in these large sweeps. Think, the Middle Ages, they were a time of rules and the Renaissance was a time for breaking them, musicologically speaking. A time of standards followed by a time of experimentation. Historically, these periods occur over rather large arcs of time, but perhaps with society and communication moving at an exponentially faster rate, it could be that the pendulum is swinging faster, or perhaps they are micro-trends in popular music. Which begs a bigger question, do these large trends of rules-to-no-rules still apply to the modern world? Interesting observation. What say you 17 years later?