"Tin soldiers and Nixon coming
We're finally on our own
This Summer I hear the drumming
Four dead in Ohio..."
Edwin Starr, War and Peace, in 1970, had a hit with their song "War" Click here to hear music.
"...War! I despise,
'cos it means the destruction of
innocent lives,
War means tears to thousands of
mother's eyes,
WHen their sons gone to fight and
lose their lives..."
Visual Arts, communicate commonly held political issues also, one example, the giant sculpture, "The Freedom Megaphone" located in lower Manhattan makes a stunning point of free speech. Step up and have your voice heard!
Art historian and professor of Dartmouth College, Adrian Randolph contends that the Italian Renaissance, his major area of interest, ushered in a new era of art created for very specific political purposes.
"I'm especially interested in the role of art in public life and politics, not just as an illustration, but as a place where symbolic meaning is actively communicated," he says. Dartmouth News.
Guernica by Picaso. Pablo Picasso was not a fan of political art, and did not consider himself a political artist. He created this work after witnessing the horrific massacre in the town of Guernica. It is considered Modern Art's most powerful anti-war statement. At the time Picasso created it, the painting was not received well; many critics considered it the creation of a crazy man. Crazy, genius, attributes that sometimes run together.
I'll end with a line from a favorite movie, it goes something like this...with great power comes tremendous responsibility. Bo Bice, welcome to the arena of Arts and politics.
ed: JH
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Joanie
The road to Hell....and all that.
People, especially celebrities, seem to forget that there are consequences to their actions or choices.
What Bice did was a nice thing. His choice of material? I don't know if it was chosen for him or if he picked the songs himself. Either way, he should have thought it through a little more carefully.
Personally, if I were a singer (and let's all rejoice that I am not) who'd been handed a song to sing, I'd consider many things, including whether or not it was suited to the occasion. But that's me.
2 - Victor Plenty
Interesting article. To reach a wider readership, you might consider adding more specific details about exactly what it was Bo Bice did, said, wrote, or sang to cause any controversy.
Some of us don't follow celebrity news closely enough to already know such details before we start reading your article.
You've done a great job of putting the current event, whatever it was, into a larger context. It's just that, without knowing the main topic under discussion, that larger picture seems to have a great big hole right in the middle of it.
3 - PMC
No one has even heard the song yet. For people to start the bashing process based on rumor on what MIGHT be in there, is extremely unfair.
Also, we are not talking about a song that "was handed" to Bo to sing. It's something he wrote. He is a songwriter, not a mere "celebrity". Songwriters write from the heart, from the gut, from emotion. That is what makes their art compelling and relevant.
I think he's well aware of possible consequences. He's faced his life challenges like a man before and I have no doubt he's doing it now.
I am thankful, and we should all be, that Dylan and Picasso - or Joni Mitchell, the Beatles, or Springsteen - or Galileo or Mozart or Copernicus or Edison or DaVinci or Florence Nightingale - did not cave to the pressure to "calm down" or be more politically correct in their day.
This is still America, is it not? The land of the free, where people can express their opinion? Or are we now unpatriotic if we happen to disagree with the powers that be?
LET THE MAN SPEAK.
4 - The Fifth Dentist
What are Bice's controversial lyrics? I couldn't find out anything about it from Google.
5 - Tracy Rinaldi
Well put PMC! We haven't even heard the song and when we do, believe me it will be one that makes you think.
Bo's soul has a depth like no other songwriter I have seen in my lifetime...or at least who has gotten my attention. He has a generous and loving heart and is all about just wanting everyone in the world to get along and treat each other like you would want to be treated.
He is a giving, peace loving fella who does write from the soul and is not afraid to say what he feels..like PMC said, he writes from his soul, his gut, and with his emotions which he is not afraid to show...he doens't want to be anyone other than BO and I admire that! In his own words..he will always compromise but will never compromise himself. He is a true artist in every sense of the word.
That is why I relate and am touched by him so much...because I too am heartbroken to see the world split apart and want everyone to just get along...he is on a mission to bring change to the world...to spread peace and friendship and I will be right there by his side as a fan on his journey.
So with that said...I am confident that his song will relate on some level to the tragedy and how the news perceived the problems whether the were in fact the reasons for how the aftermath of the tragedy played out at all..the news does reflect how people are responding in the world, conversations, blogs, arguments...whether it was actually the case or not to say that the feelings didn't exhist and were not the reason for how the events played out would be one thing but to see how sad it was for our own country to waste precious time placing blame the way they did was heartbreaking...whether or not it was the case, it was a tragedy...the time when those people didn't need to be stared at by folks on tv critiquing their every move but who just needed help.
I think his song will be about how if we want the world to change...we have to start with ourselves, each and every one of us. The problem is that everyone assumes that it is political in nature but I guarantee it is human in nature.....he always motivates me to want to be a better person....and I love him for that!
6 - Mary Ann
Just wanted to say "ditto" to PMC and Tracy! You've both said it well!
7 - Julie B
For The Fifth Dentist (love the name BTW) & Victor Plenty, here are the comments in an MTV article. The part of the article that mentions Kanye Westâ€"who did have direct comments about Bushâ€"is not a direct quote from Bo, here is that part:
"The chorus is 'We can't change this world/ If we can't change our minds,' " Bice said of the song, which, like Kanye West's recent controversial remarks, questions whether the nation's delayed response to the tragedy correlates with the race of the majority of the victims. ”The only way to curb discrimination and belligerent ignorance is to educate, and the way to educate is to go down there and identify. When you pick up an old black man out of a mud pile, then it's not just something on TV anymore."
The fact is that one of the benefits/side effects of fame is having a vehicle for getting attention given to things you care deeply about, like the devastation in the South...an area Bo obviously cares deeply about. Whether he voted Republican or Democrat, seeing the people of Alabama & Louisaina suffer has got to have left him disheartened and yearning to do SOMEthing. This song is his something. And yes, no one has even heard the song yet.
And Iâ€"for oneâ€"would rather see people passionate about a cause I don't agree with....than apathetic about a cause I agree with. Personally, I happen to fall on Bo’s side of things and honestly can’t see how people that are fans of his don't agree with him...he must have flashed a peace sign and said, “Much Love,” about 100 times on American Idol, did these people not realize he was nothing but a big hippie? :-)
8 - DebraP
In a world, where far too many are willing to sleepwalk, Bo is a refreshing wake-up call. I find it an inspiration that Bo, along with some of the artists you have mentioned have the guts and the conviction in their hearts to speak their mind in the hopes of nudging people out of what is an often false sense of contentment. As a fellow artist, I am personally thrilled that someone is using their gift to bring attention to the bigger picture and the bigger picture with Bo always seems to be about peace and humanity. Personally, I prefer a world where artists can speak with passion and truth rather than a world full of ostriches with their heads in the sand.
9 - JillW
Bravo to Bice for being true to himself and his views. I realize independent thought has become unfashionable in this country (under the guise of "fighting terrorism"), so I give him even more credit for stating views that may anger some in his fanbase. I started out as a huge fan of the man's music, but now love his heart as well.
10 - Linda
I am so happy to see so many responses to your article that uphold Bo's right speak with "passion and truth rather than a world full of ostriches with their heads in the sand." It's about time! I hope Bo gets a chance to sing his song and let us hear about what he believes. We need more men in the world like that!
Bo has the biggest heart and his soul shines so bright - that's why we love him so!
11 - Jewels
Victor Plenty, you are right, I should have detailed the intro a bit more and did jump right on in; thank you for pointing that out.
I am so glad Bo Bice fans are responding! I put him on a pedestal with some of the greats regarding the artists of our current time. He shows me he has the propensity and talent to do what Bob Dylan has done, what other music greats have accomplished and more.
He is genuinely musically brilliant and genuinely Bo. Writing this I was in part though focusing on the Bo-fans and I think they know what I'm talking about.
Now would be the time for Bo to come out with his music and his song. I am like a lot of the fans, very open to what he has to say, but am a firm believer that timing matters.
Much love
12 - Jewels
First Dentist; my man that is the point, no one knows, or knew the lyrics but the Biceman makes such an impression already, that even suppositions regarding any lyrics to any song he pens, is seemingly causing the controversy that has been being seen is amazing.
13 - Jewels
PMC, good point, and the controversy centered around the timing, the time for Bo is now, but not when such horror of Katrina was so raw. (I could be wrong.) He should be able to speak whenever though, that is true, myself, a rebel in my own mind,understands.
14 - Jewels
Julie B, thank you for filling Victor in on the past details, I did cover that in a previous post, should have touched on it here to...
15 - racs
Apart from being a beautiful person- Bo is a singer who sings from the heart, and a songwriter who writes from the heart ALWAYS & WITHOUT FAIL. His true fans know who they are, and I say more power to them, we must ALWAYS spread the Bo-Love and not participate in any negativity directed towards him.
Enough said.
Lot's of Love & Energy
racs
16 - Jewels
racs - good to see you here! Spread that energy as you see fit!
Much Love
17 - Sherrie
I LOVE me some Bo Bice. He will always stay true to his heart, and I think that justice and compassion ARE his heart. That and rockin America!
Can't wait to hear the words to a song that has caused so much stir. We all need some diversion from Katrina and now from Rita...and I don't mean Hayworth. :-)
18 - Karen
People Magazine also had a Bo interview (I think it was Sept 10) where Bo stated he is a CNN fan. CNN is very liberal and biased in reporting, and relishes slamming Bush any chance it gets. I admire Bo greatly, and would hate to see him shoot from the hip on this song. He is wise to rethink it a bit. Political statements alienate half your fans, which is why preachers, celebs,dentists, etc. need to be careful. I dare to say if Bo's main source of info in CNN, no doubt he is misinformed.
19 - BB
I think the concern a number of fans have expressed come less from reaction to his political perspective but worry that he could damage a fledgling career. Established performers know who their fan base is and can gauge the potential impact. The choice is then theirs.
My point is that he may lose sales and access before he even gets started. His fan base is not "rock" people YET, it is majority AI folk. Those AI fans have the ability to provide enough of a sales base to get him to a place where he can do what we wants.
It isn't idealistic or romantic-- it is business reality.
Like it or not, if he goes political (in either direction) he is going to lose. As much as we all like him, he is absolutely not an established artist - he does not have a body of work or track record to fall back on. It would not take much to provoke the "bean-counters" to cut him loose. And please don't say he doesn't need them - he did it his way for 14 years without "them" and he was not successful.
20 - Tammy
I think your words are a little premature about Bo. He has done NOTHING controversial. If anything, he has become a role model for the world through his actions and words. More people should have a heart like Bo Bice. The world would then truly be a better place.
21 - DJRadiohead
If anything, he has become a role model for the world through his actions and words.
Be careful about putting someone - anyone - on that kind of pedastal. It's a perch not many of us can handle. He's a singer. Some people even think he's a good one. Let that be enough.
22 - Natalie Davis
" It would not take much to provoke the "bean-counters" to cut him loose. And please don't say he doesn't need them - he did it his way for 14 years without "them" and he was not successful."
Depends on how one defines "success."
23 - BB
"Success" meaning 99.99% of us had never heard any of his music and he was forced to work a survival job to pay the rent vs. being able to take care of his family doing what he loves.
24 - DJRadiohead
They don't refer to things like this as 'taking risks' if there is no possibility of the whole thing blowing up in your face.
Not to go too far off track... for right or wrong or whatever the lead singer of Dixie Chicks made statements critical of President Bush. She took a lot of heat for it and some of that heat impacted the band on a commercial level. She could have kept her mouth shut and taken the money. She made a different choice.
Bo Bice (and other artists/celebrities) have choices. They can stay as inoffensive and safe as possible or they can take risks. What they should not do is get pissed and moan when they take risks and it blows up in their face.
25 - Hannah
i love this site