70s Music Research Paper

Music The era in the 70s music pop culture reflected the social change and distrust in the government. From the Vietnam War, racial tensions, unemployment and the battle of women's equality this decade are one of great change. Americans gained distrust for the government and sought broader personal freedoms such as dress, hair, language, and sexual behavior which is exhibited in the popular music of that time.

One social change that happened in the seventies is American dance music culture. In early 1970 many people went out to nightclubs, house parties, and discotheques. This social change had become more common and generally accepted in the community. According to Lawrence (2003), “It was amazing that in such a short period of time discotheques had become so much more acceptable to the general public.”(p. 181) From all the anxieties and issues of the decade, many used dancing and going out

According to Borstelmann (2012), “There has been a sharp decline in respect for authority in the United States as a result of the war- a decline in respect not only for the civil authority of government but also for the moral authority of the schools, the universities, the press, the church and even the family.” (p. 8) The popular song “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye is one example of the distrust many Americans had toward their own government. With song lyrics like "Brother, brother, brother / There's far too many of you dying" and "War is not the answer" Marvin Gaye voices his perspective on the Vietnam War. He also speaks upon the protests and police brutality with lyrics like "Picket lines and picket signs / Don't punish me with brutality". As stated by Borstelmann (2012), “The ultimate message embedded in Watergate and also in the deceptive Vietnam policies of the Johnson administration was simply not to trust the government.” (p.