Kate Garmer

March 21, 2016

AP Language and Composition
Evans PD 8
Striking the Right Chord
Music plays a crucial role in civilizations. In ancient times, it was used to communicate
legends and important histories; nowadays, it communicates not legends, but the current state of
and set of values held by society. It acts as a megaphone in which the traits society emphasizes
the most, such as feminine sexuality and conformity, are broadcasted to the next generation
globally. Additionally, artists have a connection and influence on their followers. This influence
can be used in both a productive manner to improve society by advocating for important causes,
or be consumed in gluttonous self-interest in which one only seeks profit for personal pleasure.
Musicians should analyze their purpose for creating music: is this choice determined by
economic benefits and societal demands? Artists should seek to create music that is not
determined by the values held by society that provide economic incentives, and label politics
should play a minor role, being little more than the platform on which to produce and release
music, in the songwriting process.
Artists should first and foremost focus on how their music was influenced by society, and
how the choice to produce this brand of music is swayed by the economics of the music industry.
Unfortunately, the majority of recordings by generic, big-name musicians are greatly influenced
by profit. In the case of the music industry, demand dictates the output by artists and labels. It is
not uncommon to see works such as Taylor Swifts 1989, which represent a society that seeks

constant validation through social media and portrays a sense of conformity to the demand for
specific anthems to resonate to societal values (source A). As a community, we seek validation in
our feelings, which often come in the sense of belonging. Along with belonging comes
overwhelming conformity to the rulebook society has published to ensure that the reward for
conventionality is having a place in the world. While these albums make large amounts of
money, preying off of these human emotions, they lack a sufficient purpose. Their messages are
often hollow, and the artists can often feel a disconnect between their soul and their work.
Fulfillment should be sought while bearing ones soul in music, in art, fostering an intimate
connection to their work. Artists such as Lin-Manuel Miranda seek to disengage themselves from
the claw-like grip of societal approval, with Miranda claiming that it was always the voices that
were guiding [him] to make the music that would eventually become award-winning (source B).
The most successful artists, not only in terms of economic gain but in self-fulfillment, are those
that listen to what they are feeling and creating in their own mind, rather than being dictated by
what is right or wrong; those are simply societal constructs based on those with the loudest
voice and most money. It is crucial that musicians not allow themselves to be influenced by
money or popular opinion, as it taints the quality and message of their work.
Record labels should be merely a platform upon which artists can launch original opuses
that reflect their person and purpose. They should in no way hinder the creative process, from
inklings of lyrics in rhythms in ones head, to chords and melodies, to the finished product, to the
production of an album. However, record labels do more than just provide improvements to the
music; they drastically change how albums are put together and overall hold a monopoly over
the artist and their lives. These labels [have] final say on what songs make the album
regardless of input from the artist (source C). Regardless of what the creator wants, these record

labels hold so much power over not only the rights to produce this artist but the artist themselves
that many musicians have compared it to slavery, in which youve sold your soul for however
many albums they demand, regardless of actual time that has passed. The operation is incredibly
industrial, more mechanized line production of generic hits that will bring in the most revenue,
and almost no organic production and sale. This is dangerous as it encourages the boom of these
large-scale corporations that provide no room for artists who do not comply and have the power
to ruin a career. Due to this unfortunate, but rather overpowering force in the music industry, it is
important that artists either enter into contracts that allow room for personal choice, or by
sidestepping a record label and offering their music through streaming services, as artists such
as Prince have done to avoid the indentured servitude aspect of record labels (source D). By
bypassing the traditional system of recording and producing, musicians have greater control over
their own works and do not have as great a pressure to rise to the wants of a larger person who
will ultimately make the changes regardless of the musicians opinion. An unprocessed work has
the ability to communicate the artists message more clearly than one which has gone through the
refining processes used at many record labels to yield the most profit. It is crucial that artists seek
a label that does not hamper the conception of art, or to evade record labels entirely and selfproduce music.
Compositions should accurately reflect the person that was the divine inspiration, rather
than be the byproduct of a mass industry seeking to sell the values society seeks most. The
production of music need be as organic and unpolluted by the demands of a conformist world
pressuring one with economic benefits to allow a full portrayal the thoughts and ideas of the
musician. Society and record labels should not hold the minds of artists hostage in their iron
grips, clenching until the creativity has left them entirely. Music represents the originality of

oneself, the artistry of ones mind, and the seeds of creativity growing within. Original thought
and organic nature in music is crucial to its appeal; the natural tap of your foot while you do the
dishes to the whistling in the trees: pure, raw, and unaltered.