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Riley A. Zuccarello
15 November, 2016
ENC2125

MEN IN THE MIRROR: CAN AMERICAN POP-MUSIC SERVE AS AN OUTLET TO

SOCIETAL CHANGE?

There has yet to be a culture discovered which lacks music, states Sarah E. Worth
Ph.D. Irrespective of race, gender, or religion, almost all humans are exposed to music in some
shape, way or form. Thus, music is inherently powerful, and more importantly, an effective tool
of communication. In time of globalization, conflict, inequality and struggle, modern music has
served the community by communicating messages otherwise muffled by societal ignorance. As
an increasing number of cultures interact, society begins to cultivate a greatly expanded network;
however, the reverberations from such expanded networks have the power to either help, or
hinder the progress made towards peace and prosperity. Regardless of outcome, it is extremely
imperative to analyze all variables that aid in promoting positive change as well as the negative
obstacles that pose adverse effects. In contemporary society, music has established itself as its
own form of communication, conveying statements that may not be communicated through other
channels. Popular music must be recognized for its use in as a communication instrument, and
therefore must utilized for its influence in contributing to social progress within communities.
In the 1780s, the United States (U.S.) was referred to as the melting pot. Later, society
coined the terms salad bowl and kaleidoscope to acknowledge metaphors that more
appropriately represent the preservation of cultural diversity in America. Yet, regardless of

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which metaphor represents society more precisely in ongoing affairs, each of the comparisons
recognize the United States as a united society of mixed ethnicity, language, and background that
upholds shared principles and experiences. Moreover, it is in every society that culture exists,
and within every culture exists art, music, and literature. As exemplified in Western culture,
music is identified as an art and an arrangement of creative expression. In an article published by
the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society, at Stanford University, Eric FriedenwaldFishman states,
There is no discipline that nurtures and sparks the cognitive ability to
Imagine, and unleashes creativity and innovation, more than arts and
culture. There is no approach that breaks barriers, connects across cultural
differences, and engages our shared values more than arts and culture.
There is no investment that connects us to each other, moves us to action,
and strengthens our ability to make collective choices more than arts and
culture.
Among the many conflicting factors, music and culture are found to be common variables
that serve to unite diverse groups of people and causes. The publication proceeds to acknowledge
the potential for creativity and musical art forms as strategy to identify and foster real
collaboration- a perspective that many institutes fail to identify. Additionally, the quote directly
relates to the discussion of nations becoming societies of shared value, while still respecting
cultural differences. The art of music in this sense, fosters the tolerance needed for peace and the
communication needed for unity.

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Musics impact is not only made possible through common understanding and discourse,
but also through shared experience. The conjoint involvement of auditory and physical
experience fosters a pre-communicative bond between composers, performers, and listeners
(William Roy). One can memorize song lyrics still without ever knowing the true purpose of
each word. However, pop-music is representative of culture and context, therefore giving music
the capability to convince, manipulate, and even educate, listeners to acknowledge a certain
cause.
Todays pop-music is entertaining yes, but more importantly, we must recognize that it is
effective in the pursuit of much more than just amusement. Using musical lyricists as social
drivers is a communication method that is rarely discussed. Yet, everyday, listeners tune-in and
are constantly exposed to messages from these influential musician figures. Popular music
targets the widespread population, regardless of straightforward or indirect. Popular music
speaks to the mass. It is because of this large influence in America, that musical lyricists emerge
as social drivers.
A prime example of a musical statement encouraging social change is Michael Jacksons
record titled, Man in The Mirror, released in 1987. Not only did Jacksons composition
contribute to his musical success and reputation at the time, but it created and delivered a
message to the public. Jackson sings the introductions of the song, setting the stage for listeners,
and identifying the need for more positivity in society.
I'm Gonna Make A Change, /
For Once In My Life /
It's Gonna Feel Real Good, /

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Gonna Make A Difference /

Gonna Make It Right . . .

After producing such empowering lyrics, Michael Jackson served to inspire and encourage a
social change though popular means, and also communicating a call-to-action proposed to
listeners everywhere. Jackson did not only accomplish this goal through his words though,
despite their powerful message. The underlying difference between prose and song is the
experience of sound elements that do not need words to express tone, emotion, or passion. The
functions in pairing of audio and language to produce unique arrangements, creates a form of
interaction unlike linguistic translation in the English language (Patel). Jackson had a unique ear
that allowed him to sing an entire arrangement without ever knowing how to formally read or
write music. His informal songwriting process revealed the argument that music does not rely on
prescribed dialogue or a specific way of articulation, music is conveyed naturally and with
emotion. Michael Jackson was a man that put much emphasis on the chords and beat behind the
words, sometimes composing the instrumentals before crafting the lyrical structure. In Men in
the Mirror, softer and purer instrumentals created setting, allowing the lyrics to take the
foreground. By pairing the correct chords and pitches, Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones
produced a message that did not just speak to the people, but sang to them.
In an orchestra, each instrument has a specific timbre, sound, tone and purpose imbedded
into a symphony that can play in unison. Just like a symphony, society has different voices:
voices that represent temper and culture, and voices that come together in either in harmony or
discord (Kun). For decades, music has been represented as form of expression across the world.

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Regardless if people understand the words of the song, they connect with the musical
arrangement that tells the same story. Although music is not a universal language necessarily, it
has the ability to manipulate emotion and human experience nevertheless (Urbain). Hundreds of
international organizations have implemented music throughout their functions by inviting
popular musicians to preform for large, diverse crowds. Such efforts of unity, and peace through
musical figures was exemplified on August 10, 2012 during Beyoncs moving performance for
the United Nations World Humanitarian Day event. Preforming her song, I Was Here, the
American artist sang the words,
I wanna leave my footprint on the sands of time /
Know there was something that, meant something that I left behind /
When I leave this world, I'll leave no regrets, /
Leave something to remember, so they won't forget /
I was here.
As the audience processed the lyrics, a video montage of philanthropic efforts around the
world streamed on the screens in the General Assembly. The global campaign served as a
communication method to emphasize the importance of humanitarian work and inspire all
citizens to get involved by making a difference for the betterment of humanity. We all see the
headlines and we think, what can I really do to help? said the international pop-star. World
Humanitarian Day is an opportunity for all of us to work together to make a difference. This is
our time to leave our mark on the world and show that we were here and we care. Through the
uses of music and a popular artist, the humanitarian campaigns message reached over 1 billion
people in hundreds of different countries. Following the performance, thousands of inspired

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individuals spent World Humanitarian Day Volunteering within their communities to make their
mark (UNOCHA).
The influence of popular music reaches far beyond members of a live audience. Recent
data indicates a strong correlation between mainstream music and social trends, a relatively new
focus of analysis. In 20015, Mikaela Dori, the founder of MusiMapp, and researcher of Trend
Forecast Mapping through Pop Music Analysis, presented the TEDx talk titled Why We Should
Follow Pop Music. Throughout the presentation, Dori stresses the importance of analyzing
popular music in order to predict trends in attitude, consumption, and ideology. From a non-artist
perspective, quantitative evidence is gathered, reassuring the strength of pop music as an
influential tool of interaction and communication.
However, before assessing pop music as only a call to action, individuals must also
acknowledge music as a call of concern. While musicians such as Michael Jackson and Beyonc
promote large social involvement through inspiring performances, other artists portray the issues
of society through the limelight of experience and lyrics. While Jackson and Beyonc sing about
changing the world, other popular musicians highlight the lack of progress and the issues still
facing society through the use of music. Artists such as Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole and Killer
Mike, are admirable examples of artists making claims within their songs, revealing the realities
of social injustice and struggle, ultimately highlighting the fusion of art and protest (Singleton).
Police brutality and racial inequality are not new topics in the hip-hop genre, yet the way they are
portrayed is ever evolving, finding new creative outlets to tell the story of hardship. Apart of the
Album Pimp is a Butterfly, rapper, Kendrick Lamar wrote the song titled, Alright.

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Nigga, and we hate po-po /

Wanna kill us dead in the street fo sho /
Nigga, I'm at the preacher's door /
My knees gettin' weak, and my gun might blow /
But we gun' be alright.
The best selling single quickly became identified as the semi-official anthem to Black Live
Matter, an activist movement against violence and racial discrimination. In similarity to the Civil
Rights movement or Anti-Vietnam War movement, the Black Lives Matter campaign is now
demanding for voices to be heard by utilizing the arts and songs of the popular to provide a
message (Molina). In an interview with the New York Times, Kendrick Lamar provided his
knowledge on the power of popular music in social context, Id go in certain parts of the world,
and they were singing it in the streets, he said of Alright, which became an unofficial anthem
for the movement. When its outside of the concerts, then you know its a little bit more deeprooted than just a song. Its more than just a piece of a record. Its something that people live by
your words.
On October 11, 2016 the Chicago Teachers Union published transcripts of chants planned
to be used during a planned strike. Although the strikes were averted due to a compromise with
the Board of Education, chants were drafter, and pickets were ready for a peaceful protest. One
of the chants published read,
If Rahm Emanuel /
tries to stop me /

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he'll see union members /

in his lobby!

Despite minimal media recognition, University of Central Florida undergraduate, Kyle Morris
brought up the interesting observation that the content of the chant shows a strong similarity with
Chicago born rappers lyrics,

If one more label /

try to stop me /
its gon be some dreadhead niggas /
in ya lobby.

Even instances such as local strikes and protests, illustrate the very indirect nature in
which music is incorporated into societal function. Despite the growing amount of artists being
recognized for the substance promoted in their work, the utilization of music in social
movements is not just a recent trend. Around the world music has developed a collective identity
amongst communities. The use of music to represent the various political, economic, and social
transformations has fostered the process of societal change through mechanisms of solidarity and
shared culture. Through the interpretation of lyrical transcript, a common emotional language
allows such aforementioned processes to take place (Danaher). Upon establishing a collective
identity, collective action follows in the introduction of social movements and societal trends.
Moreover, music is interconnected to the progression of civilization, associating different the
beats of different times, and different generations. Within his publishing, World Music, Politics

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and Social Change, Simon Frith explains the social context association through external
manifestations. Throughout the book, Frith supports the power of music as a progressive,
empowering, democratic force. Yet in contrast, music can also be seen as a driver or revolt,
protest, or rebellion. Regardless of the interpretation of musical lyrics, it becomes apparent that
popular music is an undisputable force within human culture. A tool can be used in a way in
which its user intends to use it. The effectiveness and benefits of popular music can only be
indebted to the artists whom intend for positive change.
Many artists recognize their role as social drivers, however, not all artists successfully
voice that advantage within their music. Many popular songs today imply some type of
discovered hidden message, some implying messages subtler than others. The remarkable thing
is the way popular art can convey something that otherwise may go ignored; it may acknowledge
the need to resolve something that currently lacks awareness or support, or even express the
importance of a particular cause. Todays pop-music is entertaining yes, but more importantly,
we must recognize that it is effective in the pursuit of much more than just amusement.

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Works Cited
Amnesty International. "10 Songs for Social Change." Amnesty International Australia. 22 Sept.
2016. Web. 5 Oct. 2016. <https://www.amnesty.org.au/10-songs-for-social-change/>. /.
latest_citation_text
Danaher, William F. "Music and Social Movements." Sociology Compass. College of
Charleston, 1 Sept. 2010. Web. 12 Oct. 2016.
<http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1751-9020.2010.00310.x/epdf>.
Friedenwald-Fishman, Eric. "No Art? No Social Change. No Innovation Economy. (SSIR)." No
Art? No Social Change. No Innovation Economy. Stanford Center on Philanthropy and
Civil Society, at Stanford University, 26 May 2011. Web. 19 Sept. 2016.
Frith, Simon. World Music, Politics and Social Change: Papers from the International
Association for the Study of Popular Music. Manchester: Manchester UP, 1991. Print.
Gurekanst, Norine. "Chicago Teachers Union Strike Chant." Chicago Teachers Union Net. 10
Oct. 2016. Web. 12 Oct. 2016. <http://www.ctunet.com/blog>.
Kun, Josh. Audiotopia: Music, Race, and America. Berkeley: University of California, 2005.
Print.
Michael Jackson. Man in The Mirror. Quincy Jones, 1987. CD.
Patel, Aniruddh D. Music, Language, and the Brain. USA: Oxford University Press, 2010. Print.

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Roy, William G. "Social Movements, Music, and Race." Reds, Whites, and Blues: Social
Movements, Folk Music, and Race in the United States. Princeton University, 1 July
2010. Web. 2 Oct. 2016. <http://press.princeton.edu/chapters>.
Singleton, Micah. "To Pimp a Butterfly: Kendrick Lamar's New Album Is Perfect." The Verge.
19 Mar. 2015. Web. 15 Oct. 2016.
<http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/19/8257319/kendrick-lamar-album-review-to-pimp-abutterfly>.
UNOCHA. "World Humanitarian Day 2012." UNOCHA. United Nations, 2 Aug. 2012. Web. 12
Oct. 2016. <http://www.unocha.org/top-stories/all-stories/world-humanitarian-day2012>.
Urbain, Olivier. Music and Conflict Transformation: Harmonies and Dissonances in
Geopolitics. London: I.B Tauris in Association with the Toda Institute for Global Peace
and Policy Research, 2008. Print.
Why We Should Follow Pop Music. TEDx Talks. Perf. Mikaela Ben Dori. TEDxWhiteCity,
19 Nov. 2015. Video. Youtube. Web. 01 Oct. 2016.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UbPH69T-bw>.

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Men in The Mirror: Project 2 Self Reflection

As a humanitarian, I have taught myself to be open-minded when considering solutions to
some of our worlds most pressing issues. As an international affairs major, I have been exposed
to the barriers that stand in the way of social and developmental progress throughout the globe.
As an English student, I was informed that my initial research question could be narrowed.
During my senior year in high school, I attended a conference about international development
and the program began with a video of Beyoncs World Humanitarian Day performance at the
U.N. I was in awe of how one performance and one song could speak to the hundreds of foreign
representatives sitting in the audience.
I began the research process in hopes of condensing my interest of popular music and its
social effects into one research paper with a limited word count. I initially attempted to describe
music as a universal tool of communication, trying to stay true to my roots in viewing the
international community as a collective society. However, I later came to realize that my focus
related more towards the effects of American popular music, so I began to narrow my focus on
American artists and culture. With the United States diverse population, instruments of unity
dont have an official language, religion, or ethnicity. Likewise, my paper discusses the use of
music as a communication tool and notes the influence of American artists in promoting social
change within their work. Although I expected my research journey would take a few slight
turns, I was surprised that my perspective also changed along the way.
While I feel that my Project 2 is effective in communicating and supporting my thesis,
the form of a research paper can only provide so much explanation and may hinder the ability to

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express what I argue can only be expressed through the music. Taking a more relatable approach,
I included examples to provide the opportunity for readers to listen and connect to popular songs
and recent patterns in American pop-music. In my research paper, I additionally mention the
importance of the audio arrangement behind lyrics, and reference the use of visual performance
as well. Although my paper focused on lyrical examples I made it a goal to present music as a
multifaceted tool, deriving its power from different elements.
Following Project 2, I will be expanding upon the different elements of music through the
genres I will combine in Project 3. I did not believe that delving into the complex science of
musical structure, or the long history of music in protest would have facilitated the argument
within my paper; however, I do believe that presenting the audience with the opportunity to view
the subject in a different lens would be beneficial. My Project 3 will first present a timeline of
social movements, connected with the musical influence during the specific time. The goal of the
timeline will be to provide a more effective way of explaining the relevancy of historical
examples and recent demonstrations. I plan on providing diverse opportunity to my readers
through creating a playlist, including songs that either promote social progress or communicate
social injustices. I will also present artwork and powerful visual representation to symbolize the
power of music in society. It may be difficult composing in three different genres, but I believe
that it will ultimately reinforce the strength of my claims. Regardless of the level of difficulty, I
am looking forward to remixing the message of my Project 2 into a more creative, and enjoyable
experience for readers. Ideally, the three different genres will convey the powerful role music
holds in society.
American singer and songwriter, Billy Joel, once stated, I think music in itself is

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healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter
what culture we're from, everyone loves music. The expression of humanity, the healing nature,
and the ability to touch large groups of people irrespective of their background, are the reasons
why music must be respected as an art and tool within society. Although music can not be
distinguished as a universal language, the elements of song connect individuals through shared,
common experience. Hence, music is effective in conveying messages and statements that other
forms cannot. As I writer, I struggled communicating this notion, but as a music listener I
understood. Since music is imbedded into so many aspects of society, I believe that my audience
will not only connect as readers, but listeners as well.

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