Scholarly Article Reflection: Analysis Of Music As Rhetoric

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Communications & Media
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Analysis of Music as Rhetoric
David and Jonathan, the authors of Music as Rhetoric; highlight the importance of music in political campaigns. Different motivational songs have been used in various political campaigns to boost the candidate’s popularity. Such songs include Born in U.S.A used by President Ronald Regan in his re-election, Don't worry be Happy employed by President George .H .W. Bush and Don't stop used by President Bill Clinton. These songs have been selected not because of their superb lyrics but because of the tone of the voice in them. The tone used seemingly motivates people and shows patriotism to the nation. In addition to that, it creates unity among the people and a feeling of euphoria which is a desirable characteristic in a political campaign.
Music proves to be very effective in communication. The meaning of each song is constructed by the audience who are in interaction with the performer. What it means is that the meaning communicated varies with the audience. What brings the difference is the tone and the performance itself. Our emotions are involved while singing. This is the reason why an individual can airplay a guitar and sing while crying. Most known politicians have been noted to use popular music in their political campaigns to emphasize on their policies. This has not only given them fame but has also won them the love of the people.
In music, the song’s meaning is expressed in the chorus and the verse, but the chorus carries the heavy meaning. This is because the chorus is repeatable hence it is easily learnt and remembered. The songs chosen, Born in U.S.A, Don't Stop and Don't worry Be Happy are in consideration of their choruses in disregard of verses in them .This means that the verses’ lyrics were ironical but this was missed out by the presidential campaign who only concentrated on the chorus.The lyrics of the choruses show progress, resiliency, and patriotism hence an advantage in a political campaign.
Popular music has its own contradictory meaning apart from its lyrical meaning which is ignored by the political aspirants as they seek for various positions. In consideration of the song Don’t stop, used by President Bill Clinton. This song was dedicated to a divorced couple that is Christine Mc Vie a keyboardist singing to her bassist John Mc Vie. Despite its contradictory meaning of a romance going sour, the vying President chose it. This ...