Since the beginning of time, music has been used as an expression of cultural identity. Ancient tribal societies used music as the basis for meetings and to express their history, ethnicity, and cultural beliefs. Music has changed over the centuries, but the use of music as an essential part of cultural and individual expression has changed very little.
Music’s integral connection to identity is often hard to recognise, especially in today’s society where music may not look as message-oriented as it used to. There were times when entire generations or cultures of individuals knew the same songs. During World War II, entire nations of people sang songs that expressed their national identity with their cause and their connection to their fighting forces. Once again, with the protest songs of the 1960s and 1970s, the nation’s people explored their feelings about war, youth, and race riots. And, as music as a form of expression has grown, different individuals within the same society have come to identify with various forms of music as their own individual expression of themselves.
Although the music may not be as blatantly descriptive as the songs of decades past, the music speaks to the individual in the same way that the individual speaks through music. A nation of parents stood perplexed as their children became enthralled with the sounds of rock and roll, and now there are so many types of music to identify with as generational cliques to tailor the musical message. Parents are still perplexed by young people who dress up as Britney Spears and Eminem and use language expressed in songs. The addition of music videos has also added a note to self-expression through music that wasn’t around until recent years. Unlike past generations, today’s youth can see how music is expressed and can visually identify with their chosen genre. Television and the Internet have also allowed international people to share their cultures through music.
If music is seen as an influence on youth or as influenced for youth is still secondary to the fact that it has always been present as a socializing factor. Whether socializing takes place as part of group membership or as a way to express individuality, there is no way to ignore the fact that the influence and expression of music expands as the global community expands. share more of his musical styles. People may find that music speaks to them in a certain way, moves them in a certain way, or identifies with its message. People may also discover that they can use music to express themselves as individuals, as well as to fit in with a group. Music and its connection to individual and group identity will undoubtedly take new forms as people continue to be exposed to various forms of music and culture.