Singing Songs You Don't Agree With

Subject: RE: Singing Songs You Don't Agree With
From: theleveller
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 07:11 AM

I remember, way back in the 60s, Mike Waterson saying, as an introduction to Dido, Bendigo, that they didn't support fox hunting but it was a good song nonetheless and part of a tradition. I tend to agree with that and have written a number of songs about the Hull whaling industry because some of my ancestors were involved in it. None of these glamorise it because it was a brutal, hard and dangerous trade that few endured for long and in which many lost their lives. I certainly do not support whaling today.

With regard to political songs, or those dealing with current issues, if you don't take that standpoint, don't sing the songs. I think it's a fairly simple decision.

Subject: RE: Singing Songs You Don't Agree With
From: Tigger the Tiger
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 06:42 AM

I have never been hungry enough to sing a song I did not believe in; too old to start now.

Subject: RE: Singing Songs You Don't Agree With
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 06:29 AM

If you find you are doing a gig for a gang of wifebeating, racist, dog murdering, grannybashers.

Do all the dogmurdering, granny bashing, wife beating, racist songs you know - take the money, and on reflection if you've enjoyed the gig - do it again.

Onetime I got booked into CB radio club in Derby (when CB radio was popular).

After the gig, one of them said to me - its a tall wipeout man. I never did find out what he meant, although I doubt if it meant anything good.

Don't think about it too much, DrugCrazed - just try to avoid tall wipeouts.

Subject: RE: Singing Songs You Don't Agree With
From: Deckman
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 06:28 AM

This is a very good subject. I'm going to post a couple of thoughts ... both sincere. I hope I don't start another "range war", as that is NOT my intent ...

After my U.S. Army service time, in the mid fifties, I entered college as a freshman. Because of my early studies, I was on a quick path to get a degree as a director of choir music. I had the talent, skills, etc. But after the intense study of sacred music, I realized that I did not agree with the message. I dropped out of college for 7 years because I could longer "sing songs I didn't agree with."

People who know me well also know that I am death on unlawful drugs. Songs like "Cocaine Lill" ... "Take a Whiff ON Me" have always caused me to leave the room.

So, in answer to your question ... no ... I can't sing songs I don;t agree with. bob(deckman)nelson

Subject: RE: Singing Songs You Don't Agree With
From: DrugCrazed
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 05:58 AM

"Why did you go to see Roy Bailey ? he has been singing left wing and socialist songs for many many years, this is what he is known for, why did you go and see him if you don't like what he sings?"

I saw him do 2 songs when I saw Sam Carter last month, and I liked his method of delivery. Although I don't agree with the message of his songs, he doesn't slap you in the face with it in his introduction (much). I don't agree with the lyrics, but I do still appreciate the song for what it is. Plus Martin Simpson was there, and I enjoy getting angry over the fact he's better than me.

Old Git: It seems to me that it's a song that is calling for a change, and hopes it will happen. I can't write out my thoughts in a coherent fashion, I need more caffeine before I attempt it.

Diva: The problem is that I like a lot of the songs, but the message isn't one I agree with.

I'm not right wing (as I understand the notion of right wing). I'm not miles away from the socialist perspective, but I'm not close either.

Subject: RE: Singing Songs You Don't Agree With
From: GUEST,Don Wise
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 05:56 AM

What the guest singer includes in his sets for the evening is his/her affair. Nobody is asking YOU to sing the songs. If you don't like the sentiments expressed you can always put your fingers in your ears.

I'm a Greenpeace supporter and I sing songs about whaling and sealing. Why? It's the working conditions that the songs describe-conditions which in 2011 are, certainly in Europe and North America, barely conceivable. Oh, and counter-balance things, I've rewritten 'Davy Lowston' as an anti-sealing song- just in case I encounter a PC audience.

Subject: RE: Singing Songs You Don't Agree With
From: Diva
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 05:42 AM

Life is far too short to sing songs you don't agree with or songs that you don't like.....

Subject: RE: Singing Songs You Don't Agree With
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 05:37 AM

In practice, I don't think anybody really does sing songs they don't agree with.

There's a big difference between songs that tell a story, or which are from the perspective of a historical or fictional character; and songs that are hectoring, rallying, getting a message across.

In the case of the former, it's not a question of whether you "agree" with the message of the song, because there isn't a message. You can, however, decide that the undercurrents, mood, atmosphere of the song and context of the performance are just plain inappropriate of course.

I sing first-person murder ballads, not because I condone murder, but because the singer of the song is not me.

That might appear to contradict what I first said in this thread. It doesn't.

And it's very difference, from, say, a right-winger deciding to sing a Socialist song. I would say to that person that they probably are a closet Socialist! Just as I can't imagine ever wanting to sing a flag-waving song (unless perhaps as a piss-take).

I love Roy Bailey's voice and delivery; his politics are close to mine, but I can't enjoy Roy Bailey's music because of its earnestness, it's way too worthy-sounding for me. (Though I've enjoyed seeing him live in small clubs a few times: beer & a good live atmosphere always helps)

Subject: RE: Singing Songs You Don't Agree With
From: GUEST,old git
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 05:22 AM

"Palaces of Gold seems like a song of hope"...for whom?

Subject: RE: Singing Songs You Don't Agree With
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 05:19 AM

Why did you go to see Roy Bailey ? he has been singing left wing and socialist songs for many many years, this is what he is known for, why did you go and see him if you don't like what he sings ?

Dave H

Subject: RE: Singing Songs You Don't Agree With
From: DrugCrazed
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 05:07 AM

That's my problem with Boxing Day. It's a great song to sing, but in a performance you've got to throw so much venom into it, and I feel like I'm faking it. Palace's Of Gold seems like a song of hope so I can get away with that, but Boxing Day is unashamedly "You upper classes have it coming to you, and I want to be the one to give it to you"

Subject: RE: Singing Songs You Don't Agree With
From: Linda Goodman Zebooker
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 04:49 AM

Singing is play-acting. If it's a song you really like, you can pull it off. It might even add to the drama. But since I consider the songs I choose to do as reflections of me, almost all of 'em are ones I agree with. It's one reason singing Blues songs is still so hard for me, I can't often get into the character properly. A song from the perspective of a wife-beater? Nope.

Subject: Singing Songs You Don't Agree With
From: DrugCrazed
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 04:38 AM

So Roy Bailey's gig at Bright Phoebus on Wednesday was fun as usual, with the blend of wit and songs that we're all used to by now. There's a lot of songs that he sang which I loved to pieces (Boxing Day and Go To Work On Monday to name a few). Problem is that I don't think I agree with a lot of the songs: Boxing Day has a far too aggressive standpoint for my liking, and the general feel of Socialism I don't agree with. It's the same reason I don't sing fox hunting songs.

So, how do people feel about singing songs from a viewpoint they don't agree with. Am I just making up fears that people will shout back "You don't believe what you're singing is right!"?