Music and Society

 

 

        September 11, 2001 was a day the United States witnessed a devastating attack on our soil. Many lives were lost, panic, sorrow, confusion, and shock were just some of the many emotions that went through the American people. A great deal of pride for our first responders that went running to danger without a second thought. Unfortunately not all that entered were not able to come back out, they made the ultimate sacrifice. 

        After the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2021, Americans were not broken individuals. We actually became more united as a big American family versus individuals. Everyone forgot about themselves and reached out to help any way possible. The Stars and Stripes of our great Nation was flown everywhere proudly. Showing that you messed with the wrong Country and now it is time for you to answer for what you did! As a young Army Sergeant, I remember that day vividly and preparing to do my part for my country.

        Every genre of music has its tributes to the September 11th attacks, the first responders, military, and the communities. I chose to use the country music genre for this one. The piece I chose by Toby Keith, Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American), was a motivational song that everyone could get behind because it involved kicking the enemies ass. My other choice is the song Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning, by Alan Jackson. This song is the complete opposite of the Toby Keith song because it wants you to remember what you were doing when you found out what happened on September 11, 2001.

        Alan Jackson's song was very emotional, slow, and asked questions that you could relate to, where were you. Even if you don't watch the video and just listen to the song you can feel the hurt of that day and it is 20 years later. The instruments used were all acoustic, guitar, fiddle, mandolin, piano, bass, with a very light hint of drum. It was a very simple song with his voice as the lead never being overpowered by instruments, but you could really hear the fiddles bringing the somber or tragic tone to the song. 

        The Toby Keith song is hard charging in your face motivational. His title says it all, we were angry this happened and it was time to stand up and do something about it. His song starts out with just him and his guitar singing about our pride and freedoms. At the thirty second mark the beat picks up with all of the instruments coming in and getting very excited and made you feel patriotism. 

        My personal journey in this class was eye opening. I learned the names of certain types of music I found interesting, but never knew what it was call for example the throat singers. Doing the comments at the end of the blogs for other students forced me to listen to music I probably never would have. I am not saying that I am a fan, but was intrigued. Ultimately the blog assignments allowed me to travel down my memory lane and learn more about the music I like.

References:

"Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)". Wikipedia, 16 September 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_Were_You_(When_the_World_Stopped_Turning)

Wide Open Country. (n.d.) The Story Behind Alan Jackson's 'Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)'.  https://www.wideopencountry.com/where-were-you-when-the-world-stopped-turning/ 

"Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)". Wikipedia, 13, September 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtesy_of_the_Red,_White_and_Blue_(The_Angry_American)        

Pop Culture. 2021 May, 04, Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue. https://kyrabowe.weebly.com/song-analysis.html