Dance of Life : Popular Music and Politics in Southeast Asia

Whatever its current role and significance in Anglo-American society, popular music has been and remains a tremendous social and cultural force in many parts of the world. This text explores the connections between popular music genres and politics in Southeast Asia, with particular emphasis on Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Over the past few decades, the countries of Southeast Asia have reverberated to the music of superstars like Indonesia's Rhoma Irama. Articulating the views of powerless citizens, they provided a critical discourse on national and international affairs. Some were even identified with mass-based sociopolitical movements seeking change. This Book Explores The Connections Between Popular Music Genres And Politics In Southeast Asia, With Particular Emphasis On Indonesia, The Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, And Singapore. Over The Past Several Decades The Countries Of Southeast Asia Have Reverberated To The Music Of Superstars Like Indonesia's Rhoma Irama And Iwan Fals, The Filipino Singer-songwriters Freddie Aguilar And Joey Ayala. Thailand Groups Caravan And Carabao, And The Malaysian Rock Group Kembara. Along With Many Lesser Known Artists, They Articulated The Views Of Powerless Citizens And Provided A Critical Discourse On National And International Affairs. Some Were Even Identified With Mass Based Sociopolitical Movements Seeking Change. Popular Musicians Were At The Forefront Of The Thai Democracy Movement Of The Mid-1970s, The Agitation Leading To The Abdication Of The Marcos Dictatorship In The Mid-1980s, And The Debate Over Inequality, Corruption, And The Role Of Islam In Indonesia. Craig Lockard, Both An Accomplished Social Historian And An Astute And Avid Fan Of Pop Music, Provides A Broad Cultural And Historical Framework For His Study Of The Role And Impact Of Popular Musicians And Their Music On Contemporary Southeast Asian Politics. Dance Of Life Will Be Enthusiastically Received By Ethnomusicologists And Those With An Interest In Popular Culture, Asian Studies, Mass Communications, Modern History, And Politics, As Well As Fans And Scholars Of Pop Music Worldwide. Popular Culture And Music In The Modern World -- Indonesia: Many Fields, Many Songs -- Philippines: Pinoy, Protest, And People Power -- Thailand: Songs For Life, Songs For Struggle -- Malaysia And Singapore: Pluralism And Popular Music. Craig A. Lockard. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 273-374) And Index. The rock era is over, according to one pop music expert. Another laments that rock music is'metamorphosed into the musical wallpaper of ten thousand lifts, hotel foyers, shopping centers, airport lounges, and television advertisements that await us in the 1990s.'Whatever its current role and significance in Anglo-American society, popular music has been and remains a tremendous social and cultural force in many parts of the world. This book explores the connections between popular music genres and politics in Southeast Asia, with particular emphasis on Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Popular Music and Politics in Southeast Asia 3 Contents 5 Introduction 9 Popular Culture and Music in the Modern World 23 Indonesia: Many Fields, Many Songs 76 Philippines: Pinoy, Protest, and People Power 136 Thailand: Songs for Life, Songs for Struggle 184 Malaysia and Singapore: Pluralism and Popular Music 229 Conclusions 284 Notes 295 Bibliography 337 Index 397