It's a folk singer's job to comfort disturbed people and to disturb comfortable people
Interpretation
Folk singers play a dual role by soothing those in distress and challenging the complacency of those who are comfortable.
This quote by Woody Guthrie highlights the unique responsibility of folk singers and artists in society. They provide solace to individuals who are facing turmoil and, at the same time, provoke thought and reflection amongst those who may be too comfortable in their lives. This duality emphasizes the power of music and art as tools for social commentary and emotional support.
In practice
During a community event focused on social justice, this quote could set the tone for the importance of music in activism.
A folk song is what's wrong and how to fix it or it could be _x000D_ who's hungry and where their mouth is or _x000D_ who's out of work and where the job is or _x000D_ who's broke and where the money is or _x000D_ who's carrying a gun and where the peace is.
The world is filled with people who are no longer needed -- and who try to make slaves of all of us -- and they have their music and we have ours.
Nobody living can ever stop me. As I go walking my freedom highway. Nobody living can make me turn back. This land was made for you and me.
It's round the world I've traveled; it's round the world I've roamed; but I've yet to see an outlaw drive a family from its home
I hate a song that makes you think that you are not any good. I hate a song that makes you think that you are just born to lose. Bound to lose. No good to nobody. No good for nothing. Because you are too old or too young or too fat or too slim too ugly or too this or too that.
Do Re Mi_x000D_ California is a garden of Eden, a paradise to live in or see,_x000D_ But believe it or not, you won't find it so hot_x000D_ If you ain't got the do re mi
Ultimately, to insist that rock criticism be political is first to insist that the humans who make and enjoy music are embroiled in politics whether they like it or not - and whether they know it or not.
I love producing, writing. I rarely write with other writers unless I have a real great respect for them. Like Burt Bacharach, or Carole Sager, or Stevie Wonder. Somebody like Smokey - like that. Otherwise, I choose to write alone.
I listen to the radio and I like all kinds of music, you know, but I like to hear from people who have been there. Hank Williams has been there.
We are the same. There is no difference anywhere in the world. People are people. They laugh, cry, feel, and love, and music seems to be the commons denomination that brings us all together. Music cuts through all boundaries and goes right to the soul.
As for my stuff, I'm just doing guest verses for other people's records. I try to stay recording, because if I don't, I get rusty.
The '60s was one of the first times the power of music was used by a generation to bind them together.
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