In today’s day and age, we typically see artists go from zero to one hundred in a second and all of a sudden the whole world knows their name. When they are given this immense amount of fame, they accumulate followers that would do anything for them. 

Artists gain more of a connection to their fans as well as to the rest of the world when they state their opinion on hot topics of today. Things like Palestine, politics in general, and the LGBTQ+ community are frequently discussed freely out and about in the world, so why should those with big audiences stay silent?

Those who take the time to educate their fans on various subjects are praised for their ability to articulate their thoughts, even though they may also receive some strong criticism. This past year, Taylor Swift took to social media to show us a perfect example of the cause and effect of an artist speaking out.

Swift is arguably one of the biggest artists in the world right now, and she has been known to publicly give her stance on different political injustices or elections when they are happening. She did so in the Biden vs. Trump election of 2020, and the recent Trump vs. Harris race was no different. She made one Instagram post to her millions of viewers, and suddenly the country was witnessing a surge in voter registration, with hundreds of thousands heading off to do so within just 24 hours.

Other artists like Olivia Rodrigo also frequent the internet and use other forms of communication in order to fight for what they believe in. Sometimes it is a simple comment like Rodrigo’s recent, witty clapback at ICE’s official Instagram account using her song for a reel. Her hit “All American B****” was used in a video of officers detaining illegal immigrants. Rather than sit around and let people use her art the wrong way, Rodrigo made it clear she was unhappy with their decisions. 

“Dont ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda.” Rodrigo said via the comments on the infamous video.

The reel has since been deleted, but not before fans could screenshot and praise Rodrigo for speaking out. This is not the first time she has taken to social media against politics as she has done so many times in the past few years. Rodrigo also, however, uses her concerts as a way to communicate to her fans as well. 

Many of the proceeds of her award-winning “GUTS World Tour” went to her own charity, “Fund 4 Good,” that partnered with abortion funds to provide several resources at her concerts. Not only did she make these things available to fans, but she also frequently talked about reproductive rights on stage while interacting with them.

Billie Eilish, a friend of Rodrigo’s, also made her statements, but she did so through her music rather than solely highlighting different subjects on social media. In the singer’s 2022 guitar ballad, she sings about how the world has been struggling, but no one seems to notice as everyone is only focusing on the interesting media and drama put in front of their faces. Eilish goes as far as to effectively call out a decision that had been made by the US justice system that caused extreme uproar. 

“The internet’s gone wild watching movie stars on trial/ While they’re overturning Roe v. Wade” is a haunting line when heard live as the audience screams it loud enough for the government officials to hear all the way in Washington D.C.

These artists have been braver than most to fight for what they believe in. While they have received plenty of criticism in their efforts, it is through these efforts that they enlighten those who have never taken the time to educate themselves. 

If more artists took the time and courage to do this, we would have more people out in the world who are knowledgeable on who and what they vote for. Audiences might even gain the ability to better form their own opinions on different subjects as well.

Music is something that brings the world together. The songs about love, heartbreak, and struggles resonate deeply with the listener. Recently, many popular musicians have been using their own platforms to push political and social agendas.

While well-intentioned this might be, it blurs the line between art and activism. 

The power of music lies in interpretation. A song and its lyrics connect with each listener differently, letting someone interpret it for themselves. When artists use their music to lecture or direct their social and political opinions onto others, they undermine the music. 

Listeners may feel pressured or told how to interpret their own feelings, which can alienate fans and detract from the song itself. Music’s strength comes from its ability to inspire reflection, not dictate their own conclusions.

For instance, in Billie Elish’s song “TV,” she expresses the issue of abortion by singing “The internet’s gone wild watching movie stars on trial/ While they’re overturning Roe v.s. Wade.” Abortion is one of the most controversial topics in society. When an artist like Billie Eilish addresses it, some listeners may feel strongly to back her opinion, while others may feel alienated or offended. This can lead to more backlash, online criticism, and more polarization.

Another example is Taylor Swift’s “Only the Young,” which was released in her documentary “Miss Americana.” Lines like “They aren’t gonna help us” can be seen as referring to older generations or politicians in power. This may strengthen a perception of generational conflict or blame, potentially deepening the resentment rather than just singing the music.

Popularity adds another layer to it. A musician with millions of followers does not just write a song or even make a post on Instagram without having an intention behind it. Posting about political or social issues can really have an impact on elections, someone’s opinion, and one’s own assumptions. Multiple studies have actually proven that celebrities do have an impact on political elections. By reaching out to their fans, they have the ability to shape public opinion.

Fans may be drawn in by their music, but they end up being told who and what to believe. It is not just music anymore. It is a platform used for persuasion.

To be clear, I am not saying that musicians should not care and speak out about their own society. Many use their fame to donate to charity and support non-profits and causes, which can make a great impact without intruding on the music. Music can still reflect social and political issues indirectly, but turning a song into a political address is going to ruin the integrity of the song.

At the end of the day, music should remain a space for personal connection. Musicians have a voice, but so do their listeners. That voice deserves respect. Keeping music as a means for reflection, rather than direction, preserves the real integrity of a song. That is what makes music so powerful.