So maybe this isn’t politics, per se, but in the absence of a long blog this week (time just got away from me) here is a fantastic song by Mandolin Orange addressing an issue that’s been in the news a lot lately:
A poignant story of a love deemed sinful , Hey Adam explores the drawn out pain of a closeted gay relationship and the hateful treatment such a relationship often brings about.
“Hey Adam, our secret’s safe, but I hope the world will learn…”
Me too, Mandolin Orange, me too…
Through biblical imagery and a piece of lyrical ambiguity, the song delivers a pretty important dual message to those who have been pushed out of their religious communities for their sexual orientation:
“Our Father loves you all ways”
which can also be heard as:
“Our Father loves you always”
Either way, a powerful message from a powerful group of musicians.
See you after the break.
Very correct and well stated understanding of how music serves as a political force. I am glad to see you embracing music as an emancipatory, transformational power while Street’s analysis focused on the more violent ways music works as a regulatory power. Power (and politics), like music are ripe with so many different types of potential.
You may be interested in an upcoming talk on campus : March 20th at 4PM in the Newman Multipurpose Room (Library), given by Nancy S. Love. The talk is a keynote address for the ASPECT graduate conference and is titled, “Precarious Existence: Musical Experiences with Unsettling Identities.”