This is in response to Rick & comparing whaling to religious songs.

I did not really agree your analogy either, but did not feel particularly strongly about it. I'm inclined to put songs & their situations into different categories when it comes to my expectations of what's on a singer's mind.

If I hear a solo performer singing a religious or political song I guess I have a certain expectation that they agree with the sentiments expressed. I have no problem with people joining into a group situation & holding personal reservations. I guess the difference is that a religious or political song performed by it's nature has a sort of proselitizing aspect to it, even if very general. I guess I also like to think the person singing a relationship song, either love, or get out of here, has had that experience. I think there's just an assumption that everyone has been there at some time.

The reason I think whaling songs are different is because they don't seem to be encouraging anyone to join in. Aren't they mostly about how rough the life is or the songs acutally used on whaling ships? It seems like even the whalers didn't think it was such a wonderful thing to do, more just an awfully miserable way to make a living. The songs are also about past events & don't seem to say we should do this now. I know whaling continues now, but the songs are more of the old days.

I think songs of past political movements would also not require any kind of agreement because the issue is gone.