Rock Music Persuasive Essay

For a lot of people, the first thing that comes to mind when they hear the word “rock” is a kind of relatively hard, naturally formed matter; or stone.

To others, it (as a music genre) conveys a sense of rawness. Some say it depicts Antichrist and Satanism, associating it with the adulterated kind of lifestyle that revolves around sex, drugs, alcohol and extreme violence; some even go to such an extent as to accuse it of advocating sexual promiscuity, homosexuality, and drug abuse. People who aren’t familiar with Rock say that it’s agitating, too loud for them to actually make out the lyrics, and the beat is most often monotonous (whereas that of the marketed, bubblegum pop played 24/7 on radio stations isn’t (?)

That’s enough for an ill-conceived

It is perfectly true that many famous Rock musicians are notorious for leading very precarious, extravagant, even self-destructive lives, the lives of Hedonism and debaucheries. Many have died of drug overdose and HIV/Aids (Freddie Mercury – Queen, Elvis Presley – the king of Rock n’ Roll, Jimi Hendrix – The Jimi Hendrix Experience, the list goes on). However, there are many Rock musicians who have acknowledged battling against addictions to substances including alcohol, cocaine, and heroin. They have helped millions of people struggling with insecurities, suicidal thoughts, etc. Many bands (hardcore punk) also promote the Straight edge lifestyle (of which the rudimentary philosophy is abstinence from recreational drugs, tobacco, drinking, promiscuous sex). Moreover, there are numerous rock songs dealing with political as well as social issues, many of which satirize wars and the physical and psychological destruction they cause to human race (Civil War- Guns N Roses, Hero of War- Rise Against, In the army now- Status Quo, Zombie- The Cranberries, All these things that I’ve done- The Killers, The ghost of you- My Chemical Romance, Imagine- John Lennon, etc.). Green Day’s Grammy-winning album “American Idiot” (2004) was a response to the political tension of the early 2000s. The title track criticizes the “American idiots’” ignorance of the media’s political agenda. Meanwhile, “Holiday” attacks the aggressiveness of American international policy following French opposition to military involvement in Iraq, containing lyrics such as “pulverize the Eiffel Towers / who criticize our government.” “Wake Me Up When September Ends” expresses a sense of collective