Does good rock music have to be in English?
By the_lioness
@the_lioness (177)
June 29, 2008 9:14am CST
If I mention a French rock band to acquaintances (I live in England), I noticed there is a general attitude of dismissal because, first of all, they're unable to understand the lyrics and, secondly, I have been replied quite often that "rock was invented in Anglo-Saxon countries, sounds more authentic when sung in English and, should be left alone by non-English speaking countries."
I do agree that rock music ( and its offspring musics), counrty, reggae, etc do sound more authentic in English, as I agree that salsa and afro-cuban music is at its best in Spanish but, isn't it a bit limited and downright silly to be so insular regarding music?
Does good rock music have to be in English? Put in the wrong hands, won't any song be bad, regardless of the language it is sung in?
If I find music played either with a high level of musicianship or I find it good in other ways, does it really matter in the end whether it is French prog-rock (you'd be surprised at what the French produced in the 70s), Punjabee dance music or Russian reggae? and my favourite albums by Nina Hagen are the ones she made mostly in German.
What do you think?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@nathsanahika (52)
• Indonesia
29 Aug 08
Do u have heard Rammstein? They from German And they one of the famous Rock in the world, and they lyric is not in English...
1 person likes this
@the_lioness (177)
•
29 Aug 08
Yes, I know of them. The all point of the discussion is to show that good rock music comes in many languages other than English.
1 person likes this
@Xdrowninghavocx (3117)
• United States
30 Jun 08
No way. There are so many great songs that aren't in English. For someone to say 'they should be left alone by non English speaking countries' is ridiculous. Music is music. I find that listening to songs that have been put in another language helps me learn more about the country and the language itself. It's so stupid how some people are so ignorant.
1 person likes this
@the_lioness (177)
•
30 Jun 08
The person who told me that "rock music should be left alone by non-English speaking countries" turned out to hold even more repulsive views in other ways...
I too consider music, like other art forms, to hold the keys to learn about and understand other cultures.
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@rusty2rusty (6771)
• Defiance, Ohio
14 Oct 08
I don't think rock music has to be in English. I have heard rock songs written in german and other languages. I may not knwo what they say. But some just speak to me and I wish i could understand the lyrics.
