One artist I see who gets a lot of undeserved shit for his progressive opinions is Jason Isbell. I love seeing him put MAGAts in their place when they crawl out from under their rocks to spew hate and vitriol. It’s a beautiful thing to witness.
I had no idea (have not kept up with him on social). The article talks about some of the men who speak their minds. But Jason is the first name that popped up for current top artists. Thanks for sharing!
You've got so many good examples here, some of my favorite songs from anyone are their commentary on socioeconomic or political issues, even vague notions about violence and peace. If you want people to "shut up and sing" they'll still not make you happy. They're singing the same thing more often than not.
My favorite singer who went completely "rogue" and political, and you know her too, is Carsie Blanton. ❤️
"That was funny for a night or two, and then it was a little over the top for me. I’m not that mean.” (Toby Keith)
This "that's not really who I am" defense is absolutely not acceptable. You are what you pretend to be, Toby, and even if it was an act, that IS who you are.
And I don't see any evidence that he tried to make amends or un-burn any bridges.
You're right - I am facing time with older-generation family members this coming week, and there are certain behavior/argument patterns (like this one) that I am bracing for.
I will try to give the dead the benefit of the doubt, and work on holding the living accountable while also offering a pathway to better behavior.
Oh, Honey! Do I ever have a list of daredevil, outspoken women in music.
• Lady Gaga - Outspoken on LGBTQ+ rights, mental health, and sexual assault awareness. Her activism has drawn severe criticism from those who feel she should focus solely on music and shut up.
• Lizzo - As a plus-size Black woman, she frequently addresses body positivity and racial issues, which has led to pushback from those who feel she should just focus on her music.
• Billie Eilish - Despite her young age, she has been vocal about climate change, body image, and politics. This has resulted in MSM telling her to stick to singing.
• Halsey - She has spoken out on bisexuality, endometriosis, and racial justice issues. Her outspokenness has been met with hate-filled criticism.
• FKA twigs - She has addressed issues of domestic violence and racial discrimination, leading critics to suggest she should focus more on her art than activism.
• Nina Simone - A powerful voice in the Civil Rights Movement, Simone wrote and performed songs like "Mississippi Goddam" and "To Be Young, Gifted and Black." She faced significant criticism and career repercussions for her outspokenness on racial issues.
• Joan Baez - A folk singer and activist, Baez was heavily involved in the Civil Rights Movement and anti-war protests. Her political stance often times overshadowed her music in the public eye.
• Buffy Sainte-Marie - An Indigenous Canadian-American singer-songwriter, she addressed Native American rights and anti-war themes in her music, leading to unofficial blacklisting from radio stations.
• Helen Reddy - Her song "I Am Woman" became an anthem for the women's rights movement, but also drew criticism from those opposed to feminism.
• Loretta Lynn - While known for country music, Lynn also tackled controversial topics like birth control and women's rights in songs like "The Pill," which was banned by many country radio stations.
• Dolly Parton - While often told to avoid politics, Parton has addressed women's issues and LGBTQ+ rights through her music and public statements.
• Ani DiFranco - An indie folk singer-songwriter known for her feminist and political lyrics, DiFranco has faced criticism for her outspoken views on various social issues.
“The talkativeness of women has been gauged in comparison not with men but with silence. Women have not been judged on the grounds of whether they talk more than men, but of whether they talk more than silent women.” —Dale Spender, Australian feminist scholar
When it comes to women artists, so often they seem to get the brunt of the "I don't care what you think, I just want you to entertain me" retorts. No one is required to listen to anyone they don't like, but to insist that any artist remain silent and passive is both ridiculous and missing the point of what art is intended to do. I applaud any woman willing to put her voice out there. We need more of them, not less!
Shut up and sing! is but a slight variation on the response when African American athletes (like LeBron James) say what they think, “shut up and dribble!”
The right wing media response is very different when MAGA athletes speak out.
It’s all white supremacy propaganda, little changed since the Civil War.
That is exactly why I brought up LeBron in the article! Laura Ingraham said that about LeBron, and The Chicks named their documentary because of her book of the same name. I think that most audiences are okay with speaking on artists/athletes speaking on such topics if it's in line with their own views. Did you take the poll?
Many songs from the 1960's/70's were politically inspired, and historically the same worldwide. In pondering the women's comment directed to a female artist, could it be her cultural belief or just "politically" motivated? Great post!
Thanks! Yes, the Vietnam war inspired so much political commentary in stage and in song. It was the height of music and politics leading social and cultural focus.
GREAT post!! I'm all about this with one caveat, which is that every artist, but especially those with a national or global platform, needs to weigh carefully their fidelity to their own politics with the massive impact they can have on culture, and by extension, civic life. But overall I want artists to engage deeply in politics, and to be vocal about the lessons they learn along the way. The arts, especially performing arts, are sometimes viewed with disdain as "anti-intellectual" by factions who are threatened by free expression, and by the power that global artists have. The more we push back on that, the better.
Artists are the front line of free speech. They craft delivery in a way that expresses what fans find hard to put into words. They reflect the trends and culture of the times. They tend to be fearless, and come out swinging harder when faced with adversity— like Madonna and the others mentioned in the post. They scare “the man” and that is usually (not always, but usually) a step toward higher ground.
Madonna's speech was truly inspiring. It's great when artists speak their mind, especially when they've taken the time to truly find out about an issue, or have a personal connection to it. It helps artists and fans find their people, and most of the time, creates positive change.
I concur! “Finding your people” means having the same values as well as loving the music. You don’t have to have all the same values, but it tends to be the case.
One artist I see who gets a lot of undeserved shit for his progressive opinions is Jason Isbell. I love seeing him put MAGAts in their place when they crawl out from under their rocks to spew hate and vitriol. It’s a beautiful thing to witness.
I had no idea (have not kept up with him on social). The article talks about some of the men who speak their minds. But Jason is the first name that popped up for current top artists. Thanks for sharing!
I believe he left Twitter/X and now mostly posts on Threads. I’d say he’s definitely a good follow.
A man of action!!
Big subject with me, and the answer is no. They should be out there SCREAMING. As Patti Smith says when she ends every show..."Use...your...voice!"
Thanks for sharing. I’m a big fan of Patti’s substack. Are you subscribed?
Sure am!
You've got so many good examples here, some of my favorite songs from anyone are their commentary on socioeconomic or political issues, even vague notions about violence and peace. If you want people to "shut up and sing" they'll still not make you happy. They're singing the same thing more often than not.
My favorite singer who went completely "rogue" and political, and you know her too, is Carsie Blanton. ❤️
OMG, Carsie is coming out swinging this year! I do love her.
"That was funny for a night or two, and then it was a little over the top for me. I’m not that mean.” (Toby Keith)
This "that's not really who I am" defense is absolutely not acceptable. You are what you pretend to be, Toby, and even if it was an act, that IS who you are.
And I don't see any evidence that he tried to make amends or un-burn any bridges.
Maybe in his last days he had a few regrets. Maybe “who I am” means he wasn’t the same persons anymore. I’d like to give him the benefit of the doubt.
You're right - I am facing time with older-generation family members this coming week, and there are certain behavior/argument patterns (like this one) that I am bracing for.
I will try to give the dead the benefit of the doubt, and work on holding the living accountable while also offering a pathway to better behavior.
The struggle is real!!
I’m with you! Let’s see that playlist the first person I thought of was Loretta Lynn, as mentioned above. And then Patti Smith.
Yes and yes! Look at Helen Reddy!
Oh, Honey! Do I ever have a list of daredevil, outspoken women in music.
• Lady Gaga - Outspoken on LGBTQ+ rights, mental health, and sexual assault awareness. Her activism has drawn severe criticism from those who feel she should focus solely on music and shut up.
• Lizzo - As a plus-size Black woman, she frequently addresses body positivity and racial issues, which has led to pushback from those who feel she should just focus on her music.
• Billie Eilish - Despite her young age, she has been vocal about climate change, body image, and politics. This has resulted in MSM telling her to stick to singing.
• Halsey - She has spoken out on bisexuality, endometriosis, and racial justice issues. Her outspokenness has been met with hate-filled criticism.
• FKA twigs - She has addressed issues of domestic violence and racial discrimination, leading critics to suggest she should focus more on her art than activism.
• Nina Simone - A powerful voice in the Civil Rights Movement, Simone wrote and performed songs like "Mississippi Goddam" and "To Be Young, Gifted and Black." She faced significant criticism and career repercussions for her outspokenness on racial issues.
• Joan Baez - A folk singer and activist, Baez was heavily involved in the Civil Rights Movement and anti-war protests. Her political stance often times overshadowed her music in the public eye.
• Buffy Sainte-Marie - An Indigenous Canadian-American singer-songwriter, she addressed Native American rights and anti-war themes in her music, leading to unofficial blacklisting from radio stations.
• Helen Reddy - Her song "I Am Woman" became an anthem for the women's rights movement, but also drew criticism from those opposed to feminism.
• Loretta Lynn - While known for country music, Lynn also tackled controversial topics like birth control and women's rights in songs like "The Pill," which was banned by many country radio stations.
• Dolly Parton - While often told to avoid politics, Parton has addressed women's issues and LGBTQ+ rights through her music and public statements.
• Ani DiFranco - An indie folk singer-songwriter known for her feminist and political lyrics, DiFranco has faced criticism for her outspoken views on various social issues.
I love all of these! I feel a playlist coming on!!! It may be the perfect accessory for the discussion!
A playlist would certainly magnify your powerful piece.
“The talkativeness of women has been gauged in comparison not with men but with silence. Women have not been judged on the grounds of whether they talk more than men, but of whether they talk more than silent women.” —Dale Spender, Australian feminist scholar
When it comes to women artists, so often they seem to get the brunt of the "I don't care what you think, I just want you to entertain me" retorts. No one is required to listen to anyone they don't like, but to insist that any artist remain silent and passive is both ridiculous and missing the point of what art is intended to do. I applaud any woman willing to put her voice out there. We need more of them, not less!
I am maniacally applauding this comment. The quote about women’s speech compared to silence is golden!
Shut up and sing! is but a slight variation on the response when African American athletes (like LeBron James) say what they think, “shut up and dribble!”
The right wing media response is very different when MAGA athletes speak out.
It’s all white supremacy propaganda, little changed since the Civil War.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/chiefs-kicker-treated-criminal-controversial-commencement-speech-happens
That is exactly why I brought up LeBron in the article! Laura Ingraham said that about LeBron, and The Chicks named their documentary because of her book of the same name. I think that most audiences are okay with speaking on artists/athletes speaking on such topics if it's in line with their own views. Did you take the poll?
Great article, spot on and in a time we need to remind ourselves what’s at stake. Thank you!!
Thanks for reading and commenting. I hope you took the poll 🙂
Many songs from the 1960's/70's were politically inspired, and historically the same worldwide. In pondering the women's comment directed to a female artist, could it be her cultural belief or just "politically" motivated? Great post!
Thanks! Yes, the Vietnam war inspired so much political commentary in stage and in song. It was the height of music and politics leading social and cultural focus.
GREAT post!! I'm all about this with one caveat, which is that every artist, but especially those with a national or global platform, needs to weigh carefully their fidelity to their own politics with the massive impact they can have on culture, and by extension, civic life. But overall I want artists to engage deeply in politics, and to be vocal about the lessons they learn along the way. The arts, especially performing arts, are sometimes viewed with disdain as "anti-intellectual" by factions who are threatened by free expression, and by the power that global artists have. The more we push back on that, the better.
Artists are the front line of free speech. They craft delivery in a way that expresses what fans find hard to put into words. They reflect the trends and culture of the times. They tend to be fearless, and come out swinging harder when faced with adversity— like Madonna and the others mentioned in the post. They scare “the man” and that is usually (not always, but usually) a step toward higher ground.
Madonna's speech was truly inspiring. It's great when artists speak their mind, especially when they've taken the time to truly find out about an issue, or have a personal connection to it. It helps artists and fans find their people, and most of the time, creates positive change.
I concur! “Finding your people” means having the same values as well as loving the music. You don’t have to have all the same values, but it tends to be the case.