Can music be a vehicle for social change?

Can music be a vehicle for social change?

Music can be a powerful conduit for raw emotion when words just do not seem to be enough. The melodies of a guitar, the beating of a drum, the gentle hum of a violin and vocal harmonies, all possess the power to sweep us with emotion. However, combine music with great lyrics, and suddenly there emerges a vessel, with the unique ability to move souls to a river of emotion and social change.

Music can be a powerful vehicle steering towards social change which can be most significantly exemplified in the 1960s counterculture movement which shook the world. Music and the lyrics within them, became more politically charged and played a substantial role in the anti-establishment and anti-Vietnam movement.

Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and John Lennon used their lyrical prowess to drive social change. Who can forget Lennon preaching to the world to ‘give peace a chance,´ or Marvin Gaye’s plead that ‘war is not the answer, for only love can conquer hate’.  The famous Woodstock festival of 1969 demonstrates the very power of music to bring people together in an atmosphere of love, acceptance and unity, whilst raising social awareness.

Apart from the Vietnam War, a number of contemporary musicians continue to awaken souls to the prevalent issues plaguing the world. Remarkable musicians include Midnight Oil, Michael Jackson, Queen, R.E.M.

Music not only as the power to convey emotion and unite others, but it is a powerful tool to provoke and challenge societal norms.