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We often take for granted the fact that music is deeply tied to our daily lives – whether it’s on the radio in the office, the ambience in our shopping centres, or on TV advertisements. But it’s hard to imagine a life without music; radio stations like chillout radio connect humanity like nothing else.
- It captures the zeitgeist
- It helps us celebrate
- It influences what we wear
- It connects us
- It challenges us
- It entertains us
- It highlights nationalism
- It shapes our identity
Here are 8 ways that music relates to our cultural identity:
A well-made song can capture the spirit of the times, forever memorialising it as a snapshot of what was happening in our culture at the time it was made. Whether it’s the specific slang (“groovy” probably suggests the ‘70s), a celebrity (Spice Girls screams ‘90s) or trend (rose-tinted sunglasses belong in the noughties), it’s easy to figure out when it was set and where.
Can you imagine a birthday party without an out of key rendition of “Happy Birthday”, or a wedding dance without music? Music is innately tied to our celebrations – our festivals, marches, parties and parades. The type of music we listen to also suggests a certain mood and place; if it’s classical, it’s we’re likely at a wedding or a funeral; if it’s EDM, we’re probably at a rave.
While the music itself doesn’t necessarily make us want to wear pigtails, Britney Spears does. Musicians are often known for setting the latest fashion trends, whether they’re regrettable – hello, Avril Lavigne’s necktie – or positively iconic, like Kurt Cobain’s flannel and jeans.
Today, music videos and fashion shows set the standard for what to wear for the next 1-10 years. It’s unlikely Nike would be where it is today without the help of celebrity product placement, for example. And of course, what we wear is often a reflection of the music genre(s) we listen to – heavy metal fans tend to have a distinct look from hip hop fans, for instance.
While trends come and go, there are many elements of the human experience that are universal and lasting. Whether it’s struggling to find yourself as a young person or enjoying the thrills of a new romance, themes in music can unite us as a species. Music can also help us find likeminded people; jazz fans can visit a jazz club to meet new friends, whilst indie rockers can head to an indie concert to find their tribe.
That being said, music can also provoke controversy and challenge what some consider outdated modes of being. Whether it’s punk, rock, hip hop or folk, music is capable of expressing injustices and frustrations and suggesting a better way forward. Even rock ‘n’ roll was considered scandalous once upon a time; a reminder that culture is constantly evolving. Of course, what is ‘scandalous’ depends on the specific culture – in North America swearing and sexual explicitness are considered relatively acceptable, whereas in a country like Iran this would be considered highly inappropriate.
Whether we’re watching a concert in a football stadium, a street performer in Berlin or a live gig at the local pub, music always finds a way to keep us entertained. Some of the most memorable moments of our lives are spent with friends and strangers watching an incredible musician perform. There’s nothing quite like swaying to the music like Mary Anne Hobbs alongside thousands of other music lovers.
Like it or not, music contributes to nationalism in the form of national anthems. Each country’s national anthem is distinct and acts as a declaration of what they stand for, as well as their history and culture. The national anthem is taught to schoolchildren from their very first year, and it continues throughout their schooling lives.
There generally comes a time in our youth when we stop listening to the music our parents play and start making our own music choices. Whether we listen to heavy metal or punk to rebel against authority or enjoy pop because it helps us connect to our peers, what we decide to listen to affects how we view ourselves as an individual.
