This is a bit of a hard one for me to right as I was there and suffer with PTSD due to the trauma experienced.

The Ariana Grande One Love concert.

After the Manchester arena bombing on 22th May 2017 during Ariana Grandes concert, there was a terrorist attack that killed 22 people, injured hundreds of people physically and mentally (me included). In response to this, grande organise One Love Manchester benefit concert on June 4th 2017. This ultimately became a symbol of resilience, unity, and healing.

The event saw artists like Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Coldplay, Miley Cyrus and soo many more. It was broadcast live and raised over £17 million for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund with was eshtablished to support the victims and their families.

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MusicLicensingMary 7/2/2024, 10:38:38 AM

A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke is the song that comes to mind. Every time I listen to it I get shivers, as you can feel the emotional weight of the song and the reason for its creation. It was released in 1964 during the civil rights movement and is clearly about the oppression of black people, with Sam Cooke hoping that one day things would be different and that black people could have the same rights as everyone else. The Civil Rights Act (1964) was signed within a year of the song's release but sadly Sam Cooke did not get to see much of the change he sang of as he was shot dead in a motel about 6 months later. The song has continued to be popular ever since. It's been sampled by many other famous artists, soundtracked the Nike Equality campaign in 2017, and was even used regularly by Barack Obama during his first presidential election campaign. It's a true soundtrack for the hope and strength of the black community

https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/0KOE1hat4SIer491XKk4Pa?utm_source=oembed https://www.youtube.com/embed/DWsUrMfDaG4?feature=oembed

Gaypengwing 7/1/2024, 11:14:13 PM

I think the biggest example of this that I can think of would be Live Aid. Bringing together so many huge names for one event to raise money for charity, is something that no one in the world could excuse missing, no matter in person or live at home. All of the world’s eyes were there on that day and even people who weren’t alive know about the cultural impact that it had. Not to mention the amount of good it did at the same time.

For example my parents bought a tshirt for me to wear once I grew up because I was still a baby at the time but they wanted me to have something from the event.

FirestormGamingTeam 7/1/2024, 10:09:33 PM

The only musician I can actually think of who actually changed the way millions of people thought about music, love, culture and each other was of course Micheal Jackson, his album Thriller sold over 70 million copies worldwide.

At the height of his fame, people would protest in his name, people would reference him on Tv as the force behind their own journeys, reunions etc. But also his music drove people to share it across the world in multiple different ways, I am going to link some videos below to show this.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/mKtdTJP_GUI?feature=oembed

Filipino, Philippines "Dancing Inmates" from Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), a maximum security prison, were treated to a visit by Michael Jacksons long-time choreographer Travis Payne and dancers Daniel Celebre and Dres Reid to learn performances from THIS IS IT.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/lVJVRywgmYM?feature=oembed

This is the official clip from BOUNCE & Friends. More than 300 dancers met at 15.30, got informed and then learned the choreography in 30 min. Less then 1 hour later they performed it.

This is just two examples how a musician/singer, influenced people across the world.

Makster 6/27/2024, 7:23:08 AM

blurred background — Searching for Sugar Man (2012) now streaming on Netflix

Searching for Sugar Man (2012) now streaming on Netflix

Sixto Rodriguez and his work in South Africa with his album At his Best (1977)
This story is phenominal. When real life passions go un-noticed but becomes a hit in another world and the spark for a revolution.

Sixto is a Michigan based musician that saw limited success in the states with his first two albums selling very few copies so he quit the music game. However across the world another story was unfolding. His music was being shipped to S. Africa as part of relief packages so everyone was getting to enjoy his music. The themes of his songs focussed politically on anti-establishment, anti-government which were very important during the time of apartheid thus became rallying tracks against the movement. And to think all this was happening unbeknownst to Sixto.

For any activism or protest, forming bonds is incredibly important and music is one of the most primal ways of doing so. Singing songs brings us together something that apartheid is the antithesis for.
But not only that, this story also shows us that the content we create may not be for everyone but if the right people can appreciate it, it can change their world

Fras_Shoyo 6/26/2024, 7:21:39 PM

"Wavin' Flag" by K'naan: This song became very popular during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but also continued to be sung at the 2012 World Cup. Its positive message of unity and spirit made it iconic. not to mention the song "We Are Young" by Fun (feat. Janelle Monáe) the iconic song that brought soccer to the international scene and energized the supporters of the countries still each and every song and for the 2010 world cup there was also "Shakira-Waka Waka" that also enlivened, with hips that made the spirit of the 2010 world cup until 2012 it was a very lively world cup that made people everywhere watch and soccer became the dream of children at that time.

Konquest 6/27/2024, 2:09:44 AM

Gigi D'Agostino's "L'amour Toujours" is a classic EDM track that has had a significant impact on music culture, especially in the electronic dance music (EDM) scene. While it may not have directly changed global politics or toppled dictators, its influence is profound in several ways:

Cultural: "L'amour Toujours" epitomizes the euphoric and uplifting spirit of EDM music. Its infectious melody and beats have resonated with millions of listeners worldwide, becoming an anthem for dance music enthusiasts. He is an Italian DJ/Producer, French title, English lyrics and Chinese Logo (Character meaning "Dance") His live performances often begins with the crowd humming the tune and the DJ singing the first verse in acapella.

Influence: As of November 2023 the melody to "L'amour toujours" has been co-opted by far-right groups in Germany, as various videos of people joining in public chants replacing the song's original lyrics with a reprise of the anti-immigration slogan. The song was banned from being played at the Oktoberfest in Munich. The Austrian Football Association also decided to ban the song from being used as a stadium anthem, in order to avoid further incidents. Gigi D'Agostino himself criticized bans of the song by radio stations and festivals, saying, "You can't stop racism by banning music"

Theories & Meaning: It's an open interpretation, although an energetic song it has a deep and sad meaning. On the song, the girl died, the guy was there and he said the lie "everything's gonna be all right" to her before death. Now he is haunted by her ghost, even in his dreams. She is alone too and she forgives him from the final lie, "I still believe in your eyes" is repeated always... and the asks to him "Don't leave me waiting too long, please come by!" (see the girl says "I just don't care what you've done in your life") is about to accept the unacceptable, he also says: "I'll fly with you." It's about two separated lovers, a lonely ghost girl and a heart-wounded man. Cherishing all the moments and looking to be reunited some day.

Gigi D'Agostine recorded both sets of vocals. There is no girl singing.

Legacy and Endurance: Released in 1999, the song continues to be relevant and beloved till today and that's over 20 years. It has since been covered into orchestral scores, acapella versions and remixed by many other world class DJs/Producers around the world.

While "L'amour Toujours" may not have sparked political revolutions, its influence on music culture and its ability to unite people through dance and shared experience illustrate the profound ways in which music can touch and change lives on a large scale.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/G_cXQ8JiHqA?feature=oembed

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Laser-Bicep 6/27/2024, 8:54:33 AM

Hair Metal of the 80's

In the annals of musical history, there has never been a genre so audacious, so flamboyant, so glorious as Hair metal. A time when men were really men.

Hair metal wasn't really about music; It was about how you look, which we know is the most important thing. . Bands like Poison, Mötley Crüe, and Cinderella didn’t just rock, they melted faces with their physical prowess. Their manes soared high like their falsetto.

Forget suits of the 60's and loose leather of the 70's. Hair metal demanded spandex, yes spandex clung to every curve, leaving nothing to the imagination.

Hair metal ballads were like a sledgehammer to the heart. Power ballads like “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” and “Home Sweet Home” made grown men weep bitterly. These songs weren’t just music; they were therapy sessions. And men showing emotions has always been an issue. Not so in the 80's

And finally a true hair metal guitarist didn’t just play solos with their hands, they did so with their faces.

so yeah there has never been anything more iconic

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Raven953 6/28/2024, 7:31:39 AM

One notable instance where music legitimately changed the world was during the role it played in the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa. During the late 20th century, music became a powerful tool for social change and resistance against the oppressive apartheid regime.

During the 1970s and 1980s, South African musicians like Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, and others used their music to protest apartheid policies, spread awareness internationally, and uplift the spirits of those oppressed by the system. Their songs carried messages of freedom, equality, and justice, resonating deeply with both South Africans and the global community.

One of the most iconic songs of this era was "Free Nelson Mandela" by The Specials, released in 1984. The song became an anthem for the anti-apartheid movement worldwide, drawing attention to Nelson Mandela's unjust imprisonment and calling for his release.

Additionally, artists from around the world, such as Peter Gabriel, Bruce Springsteen, and many others, participated in the cultural boycott of South Africa, refusing to perform there as a form of protest against apartheid. This boycott helped isolate the apartheid regime and put pressure on international governments to take action against it.

Music did not only served as a means of protest and solidarity but also played a crucial role in fostering a sense of unity and resilience among South Africans struggling for freedom. Ultimately, in 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison, and apartheid was officially abolished in 1994, marking a significant victory for human rights and democracy.

In this way, music has acted as a catalyst for social change, helping to raise awareness, mobilize activism, and inspire hope during one of the darkest chapters in South African history.

Sturmer 6/28/2024, 11:28:26 AM

European Anthem:

Rich · 2024-06-26T18:30:55.525Z

Musicians talk fondly of music's power to change the world, and while you could claim they have a bias, we wouldn't say they're wrong. We'd like you to put some real meat on the bones of this often-repeated phrase with a few examples. Tell us about at least one occasion when music made a real difference in the world, not just to you personally, but at a large scale: when it changed thousands of minds, influenced lawmakers, or toppled dictators. You can submit in video or writing, but there's a minimum word count of 100 words, as we're looking for more than just vague correlations. We want to see a tight, direct link between a major real-world change and music - ideally a song, an album, or a concert, rather than a famous musician diong some campaigning or activism on the side. The best five answers get $4 apiece!...

The Symbol of Freedom

Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, which premiered in 1824, is renowned for its choral finale that sets Friedrich Schiller’s poem "Ode to Joy" to music. This symphony became a symbol of unity and freedom. It has been used as the anthem of Europe since 1972.

While it may not be an everyday song, it serves as a special statement for billions of people, promoting ideals of brotherhood and unity.

Here is a short history video

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZIIGzIbTodM?feature=oembed