In the best of times or the worst of times, music has influenced our culture. Music can impact new trends or be a conduit to send a positive message to society in times of disunity.
In the 1950's a new music style emerged onto the scene that literally "rocked" the Baby Boomer generation known as rock and roll, or more specific, Rockabilly. A key figure in this cultural movement was none other than The King, Elvis Presley. Elvis changed the status quo in music and shaped the youth culture. The way he dressed, spoke, and not to mention his hip-shaking dance moves provoked a new energy in teenagers while driving parents up the wall. While the youth culture loved this new music, many adults found it repulsive and offensive.
A counterculture movement then occurred during the early 1960's. People were protesting the Vietnam War, and the civil rights movement was in full stride. Bob Dylan and Joan Baez led this movement with their peace-loving folk style music. Music itself was not getting political per say, but because of what was happening in the world, it left people frustrated and it impacted music with songs like “Gimme Shelter” by the Rolling Stones and “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival.
The counterculture movement continued into the 1970's, but something else that is noteworthy about the ‘70s was the new advances in technology. Portable synthesizers and electric pianos were more widely available. Not to mention The Walkman (portable cassette player) and the CD both originated in the '70s.
The 1980's brought another cultural shift with music. The music pop culture for Generation X in the ‘80s was similar to the Baby Boomers in the ‘50s. New sounds and trendy fashions. The 1980’s became known as the decade of materialism and consumerism. People were immolating trends from music and movie stars. I know it's just a movie, but watch "The Wedding Singer."
Music Television (MTV) played a pivotal role in music. In addition to listening to our favorite bands on record or cassette, we could now watch them in music videos. The music culture during the ‘80s was primarily about image.
The importance of image carried on into the 1990's with the “hip” movement. People were looking to be “hip” and “cool.” Another “counter” culture cropped up. Some musicians, such as in the Seattle area, weren’t interested in fashion nor the superficial image. It was more about music that provided a real message and that was grunge music. To paraphrase Kurt Cobain from Nirvana he said, “being famous was one of the last things” he desired.
When cultural differences developed heading into the 1990’s, it was grunge music that captured people’s attention. Grunge bands were writing about topics that truly affected people, such as alienation, addiction, and a plethora of emotions people were dealing with. It was music that people could relate to.
In the 2000's the Indie movement has become a driving force in music. Paving the way to new cultural trends. We don't know what's in store in the future, but we can learn from the past. Time will tell how music affects cultural and countercultural shifts the way it has since the 1950's.