Music With Political Messages More Influential Than Political Punditry

By DeeDee Garcia Blase

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once penned: “Music is the universal language of mankind — poetry their universal pastime and delight.”

Many of us have fond memories when it comes to lyrics we identify with in songs sung by the likes of Bob Marley, Guns N’ Roses, Led Zeppelin, Rage Against the Machine, Pink Floyd and so forth.  How is it that a John Lennon or Marvin Gaye song has everlasting global and sustaining reach when they sing of peace or war?

Why is a lyricist/musician more influential than a political pundit?  People remember songs moreso than a political column.

Political pundits and writers seem to be losing their edge these days, and the columns and opinions they write seem to be worth their salt for only a day or two.  The goal is to keep the masses more informed about our surroundings and the direction of our Nation, but pundit writers are having a difficult time with making politics sexy and/or because of their negative non-addicting views.  Mundane topics equate to loss of interest which leads to a lack of knowledge.

More importantly, mere political pundits forget the “unity” message when they increase divisiveness in our “United” States.  Many of them add fuel to the fire when stubborn lines are drawn between Democrats and Republicans.  Shouldn’t resolutions be based on issues – not necessarily the team you are on when toeing the Party line?  Shouldn’t the United States in essence be one big team?

As a former hard core political activist searching high and low for penetrating messages that will leave a long-lasting impression within people’s minds – I have come to the absolute conclusion that musicians and great writers are the ones who come up with memorable coined phrases and quotes leaving a lasting global ripple effect.  I believe words should be like a type of hot branding iron being seared onto leather.  Writers want our words to be branded and forever remembered in the minds of people.

Dopamine is an addicting feel-good chemical, and according to researchers reported in the journal Nature Neuroscience  our brains can pump out dopamine both during the phase of musical anticipation and at the moment when chills hit in full force.  And since people love music, I believe there is a need for more positive political expression by way of music right now in an effort to tap into the masses, increasing knowledge and good energy.

Some of the most brilliant minds in history have relied on soothing music as a venue to open up creative ideas, or to simply be soothed and relaxed during times of trials and tribulations.

During my teens I learnt how King Saul tapped into music, in order to be soothed and for negative energy to flee him.

1 Samuel 16:23 states:

“So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well…”

It doesn’t surprise me to learn King David (in essence) sold millions of copies of his lyrics in print, and performances of his work all over the world earning him the title of the best selling musician of all time.  Books and literary works continue to be sold referencing the Song of Psalms, not to mention the countless musicians who have created music based on his lyrical expression.  King David poured out his soul, his love and agony – offering the sweetest poetry of Israel.

Does anyone remember what Jane Fonda said when she spoke against war?  Yet everyone seems to remember John Lennon’s message about Peace.  Music taps into emotions of the human spirit and it also connects it to a memory.

The world is ready for new and emerging talented lyricists and musicians who are able to express ideas that embrace love, life, and positive political messages.  Musicians who have a sincere concern for the direction of our Nation ought to rise up – because the time is now for their message to be received by others in the most memorable medium possible.

They say Spanish is the language of Love and it is wonderful to hear the fusion of English and Spanish music challenging hate and bigotry.

Confetti Drop on Axl Rose in his last Las Vegas show on 11-24-2012

Happy Birthday to one of the greatest musicians of all time — Axl Rose. He turns 51 today.  He has an extremely unique voice and you can learn more about his colossal vocal range here.

Guns n’ Roses Mexico FB fan page writes:

Hoy en el cumpleaños número 51 de nuestro vocalista, muchos se hacen la pregunta, ¿por qué Axl Rose es considerado el frontman más versátil de la historia y uno de los mejores dentro de la misma? bien, este video lo explica a la perfección, desde los agudos clásicos en él, hasta los graves que tanto nos deleitan. Enjoy.

I will never ever forget watching that Welcome to the Jungle video back when MTV had their top music video countdown I’d  watch religiously.

Back in the day, my mom used to think Heavy Metal and Hard Rock was “devil” music and she would forbid me to see Axl in his tight black leather pants moving sensuously to his own music. (I know TMI, right?) Ha!  In fact,  I used to hide my rock cassette tapes from her after she found one of my Alice Cooper tapes and threw it in the trash. I had a limited budget with my part-time job back then so I would have  to hide my

Music Icon and Legend Axl Rose

music in my car or in my high school locker because it sucked having to replace them.

One day … my mom left the house to pay bills and/or run errands, and when I heard her car leave … I switched the channel to MTV.  I sat right smack in front of the tele and watched rocker Axl in his Welcome to the Jungle music video with his crazy ratted out hair, that crucifix around his neck with bad boy tattoos on his arms.   My mom then walks into the living room (says she forgot something) and goes ballistic on me.  She freakin’ called the cable company and had MTV removed and I couldn’t watch MTV anymore!  Can you believe that shit?!

No worries…where there was a will, there was a way.  I had to skip on over to my neighbor’s house and watch the MTV countdown there.  It just took a little adjusting to my after school schedule where I would hurry up and do my chores and then go watch the countdown across the street.

Yeah…I’m a bit of a Rocker girl –  ¿Y Que?

Here’s to Axl….a forever favorite:

First of all, a vote for Gary Johnson is a vote for Gary Johnson, but nativists and birthers are scared to death of the “L” Libertarian factor and how it will affect GOP races across the nation.  What is it with people who are concerned about how others CHOOSE to vote?  We each have the free will born right to vote however the hell we feel, and those who say otherwise are merely afraid that their candidate of choice is not strong enough to win on their own merit and accord.  There is NO SUCH THING AS A WASTED VOTE as long as the individual believes in the candidate’s platform!

More importantly, if Gary Johnson receives at least 5% of the popular vote, the Libertarian Party will be eligible for Presidential funding in 2016.

I wrote about that here:

2016 Matching Funds an incentive for Libertarian – Republican voters to vote for Gary Johnson this year

More importantly, I am all about punishing the 2 major party system since both major parties have failed the American people with their partisanship. Tea Party people are the worst with their obstructionism in my view, and it is high time we work on methods that will bring our nation together and instead of the divisiveness the 2 major parties bring along with their fringe groups.  Our Nation has already experienced a Civil War, and we don’t need another one. 

Personally, I’m an independent voter for life, and plan on staying an independent voter who will cast my vote based on the person who is running for office — and not necessarily a Party.

Below is the paranoid tweet from Donald Trump who wants to bring our Nation back to the Ice Ages and archaic belief systems: