Music and the English language go hand in hand. Most people today claim to have a passion for music and some even comment as if connoisseurs. It is quite clear to see that music plays a prominent role in the lives of the masses, the art seems to form almost an identity for individuals. What has always left me confused is why English continues to dominate the music industry. Considering music is appreciated all over the world, why is it that the biggest American (and sometimes British) musicians are the most recognised. Do English speakers make the best music? Probably not. Is language even involved in music? It seems only logical that music should be judged on the skill and originality of the musician and their instrument.
Some would argue that music is more than a series of notes on different instruments, but now includes a message that listeners all relate to. If true, this would explain why English speakers would only listen to songs written in English. But why then does the entire world listen to songs that most do not even understand? Also how much can be expressed in the lyrics of a song? Sex, love, hate, happiness and sadness. Anything else?
It seems to me the reason for English being the universal language in global popular music is obvious. Money. Huge record companies that operate in the United States allow for American musicians to be heard all over the world, whereas a Spanish singer may only have resources available to be promoted in Spain. These Pop icons may not even be talented; Britney Spears comes to mind and also Avril Lavinge (I know what you're thinking! Kavi she's Canadian! but she is signed with an American company.) Neither of these women has talent, listen to them live, even i could sing better than that. Yet because of the money provided to these "sexy" young women, they have become internationally renowned. I think its time for music to become cosmopolitan.
Music in other languages appeals to me, only of course if the music is decent enough. Even though i can't understand a word of it, the different language is so different it provides originality that popular music has failed to provide recently. Here are 3 Artists i would encourage to look at:
1) Yael Naim - A French Jew who sings in English and Hebrew. She experienced a slight glimmer of fame when one of her songs was played in an iMac advert.
2) Disiz la Peste - A French Rapper who has an album name "le Poisson Rouge" or the Goldfish, how could you resist?
3) Asala - An Egyptian, who experiments with Arabic jazz and pop, a scary and crazy mix yet surprisingly appealing.
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4 comments:
I completely agree, there are many foreign musicians that don't get enough press. Roger Cicero is a good example, an amazing jazz singer (I know it's jazz, but it's good!) but he doesn't appear over here at all. However, people of other nationalities do listen to our music, if not for the words then for the music itself. However, many countries across Europe and undoubtedly the rest of the world do have their own stars local to home, who are virtually unkown over here. Turn on a radio station there and you'll be hard pressed to find English speaking songs a lot of the time.
varies from place to place. as josh, he's doing a cw on the americanization (note my americanized spellage) of spain. including music and shiz.
You have got the wrong idea of when to use the "unsuitable content warning".
This blog here uses it in a more direct manner:
http://skoooozle.blogspot.com
DUDE!!! not funny! :p lol yukk!
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