Comparison of 70s and 90s Punk
Punk music has gone through an evolution ever since the punk explosion in the late seventies. Although today's punk music retains most of the ideology and sound that defines the punk genre, there are some distinct differences between Nineties and Seventies punk. Most of the punk bands to emerge and gain popularity in the nineties mostly hailed from California (Green Day, the Offspring, etc.). Punk vanguards from the seventies hailed from the East Coast and from Great Britain (the Ramones, the Clash, etc.). The Sex Pistols' "Liar" and Blink182's "What's My Age Again?" demonstrates how conditions - social, political, and physical - are reflected in the nature of the music produced by these punk bands. The Sex Pistols emerged in the late seventies as one of the first politically charged punk bands, advocating anarchy in most of their tunes. The band embraced and produced songs that reflected the punk ideology: rebellion and nihilism. The Sex Pistols also reacted to the stark social conditions that infected Great Britain in the late seventies - rising unemployment, a hard-line, conservative government, and a depressed post-industrial economy. With a hopeless future at the horizon, the restless youth in Britain had plenty o
The lyrics of "What's My Age Again?" follow the punk tradition of nihilism. The lyrics are also a celebration of immaturity and aloofness. "Nobody likes you when your 23 / And are still more amused by prank phone calls / What the hell is caller ID? / My friends say I should act my age / What's my age again?" Sung in the mellow style of Hoppus, the aloofness and sarcasm are evident in the lyrics. The song rejects immaturity and advises that "No one should take themselves so seriously." The themes evoked in the song reflect the carefree and mellow attitude of Southern California while at the same time reflect the rebellious attitude of traditional punk. Moreover, the themes, along with the goofy sense of humor of the band, relate to the teen/pop culture that emphasizes music that is fun to listen to. The vocal delivery of "What's My Age Again?" contrasts with the grating sound of Johnny Rotten. The vocal style of Blink182 bassist Mark Hoppus is mellow with a slight hint of sarcasm. Hoppus doesn't shout or create a harsh sound to emphasize a point like Rotten. Hoppus's style is not complicated either and demonstrates an amateur delivery, much like other punk music. Vocal harmony and call and response is also evident during the chorus and near the end of the song, with DeLonge backing Hoppus on some lines - an influence of the "doowop" style of the fifties. The vocal harmony adds melody and levity to the song. This vocal delivery is another characteristic of the playful and fun attitude of Southern California punk and a distinction that separates it from the edgy British punk. The lyrics are very confrontational and angry as it bluntly accuses someone of being a liar. "I wanna know why you never / Look me in the face / Broke a confidence just to please / Your ego should've realized / You know what I know." Taken literally, the lyrics are about accusing the other person in an untrustworthy relationship of infidelity. Given the political nature of the band, the lyrics could also blatantly accuse the system - government, the monarchy, and society - of being a liar. The promis
Some common words found in the essay are:
Southern California, Johnny Rotten, Steve Jones, What's Age, Sex Pistols, Tom DeLonge, , DeLonge Hoppus, Rotten Hoppus's, Mark Hoppus, southern california, what's age, punk music, sex pistols, attitude southern california, attitude southern, chaotic sound, sound song, power chords, late seventies, punk bands, southern california punk, nineties seventies punk, mellow attitude southern, blink182 gained popularity,
Approximate Word count = 1417
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
