Do your views on feminism influence your musical listening choices?
And if so, how?
I've thought about this issue in relation to my Jewishness. For a long time, performance of Wagner was forbidden in Israel, due to Hitler's enthusiasm for Wagner, Wagner's own anti-Semitism, and fascist and racialist themes in Wagner's music. Many to this day object to Wagner performances.
(Certain concentration camp commandants often listened to Wagner and it could be heard in the camps, so for many survivors this had horrible associations.)
Nevertheless, I appreciate the greatness of Wagner's music.
I am also a huge fan of Handel's Messiah and other music with Christian themes, despite being a Jew.
But in both cases, I can see why someone else might avoid the music in either case. As some of my own family would.
Do issues like this arise for you in the case of music.
Inspired by http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100527131216AAPFQD6
Anonymous2010-05-27T16:40:40Z
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I only listen to Christian music. I have two albums that aren't Christian in my collection. I suppose because Christianity is the basis of my life, it just doesn't make sense to me to listen to music that would be displeasing to God.
There are fascist and racist themes in classical music that has no lyrics?? I've not listened to much Wagner, and I know nothing about the man. I've always been more of a Mozart/Bach/Vivaldi/Chopin kind of gal. Now I'm all intrigued....I'll have to go read about him.
My views shape my music habits, but only to a point. I avoid music that is all about sex or that contains vulgar language (needless to say I never listen to rap!), or stuff that blasphemes God or Jesus. I may as well shovel a pile of poop into my ears. But if the music isn't something that goes against my views, I'll listen to it even if the writer or artist is a pig or a jerk. I see no reason not to, if their values aren't being injected into their music.
Although, I guess I am not at all a fan of feminist "girl power" groups or their music. **yawn**
But I cannot listen to Shaking The Tree by Peter Gabriel any more because it's just so...pandering male feminist. Although I do think the song is awesome if it weren't for those lyrics.
Also, I remember that the Pete Townsend song English Boy really inspired me. Because he wrote that before I became an anti and it was sort of comforting to know that they attitude I had (and at the time I was quite passionate about it) was already being expressed in pop culture so I wasn't "the only one". I think many antis probably had the feeling "am I the ONLY one?" when they started to sour on the women's movement.
I am a non feminist, and there are very few female artists that I actually like. I don't know if its connected, or if it simply is because I prefer a mans vocals.
Unless its opera, and then I love the female vocals.
And I love Handels Messiah too. When I went to see it, and The Hallelujah Chorus was performed, the female vocals there brought tears to my eyes!
Not at all. I don't think a musician's ideological view has any bearing on how good their music is. My musical tastes are all over the map. Indie rock, rap, pop, classical, instrumental- it's very random. My favourite band is Death Cab For Cutie, and I don't think they have any feminist message in them. Furthermore, my ideological views encompass more than just feminism.
Actually, many bands that could be considered "feminist" I'm not a fan of. I just don't like that style of music.