Society and Politics in the Music of The Clash

master's thesis

• Author: Dorotea Lukačević
• Mentor: Borislav Knežević (mentor)
• Committee member: Sven Cvek (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Martina Domines Veliki (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; (Department of English language and literature); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2023, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: HUMANISTIC SCIENCES; Art Sciences; Music Theory
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: HUMANISTIC SCIENCES; Philology; Anglistics

Abstract

The Clash was a British punk rock band that emerged in the late 1970s during a time of significant social and political upheaval in Britain. The band's music and lyrics reflected the concerns and frustrations of many young people who felt alienated from mainstream society and were searching for an alternative voice. Great Britain in the 1970s was facing high unemployment, inflation, and cuts to public services led to widespread dissatisfaction and a sense of hopelessness among many working-class people. The Clash's music and lyrics addressed these issues head-on, with songs that spoke to the experiences of young people growing up in a society that seemed to have little regard for their welfare. In many ways, The Clash embodied the spirit of resistance and rebellion that was prevalent in British society during this period. Their music and message were a powerful reflection of the social and political climate in Britain during their time. They gave voice to the frustrations and concerns of many young people who were struggling to find their place in a rapidly changing society. This paper will deal with the socio-political occurrences from roughly 1975 to 1985, with a focus on the music of The Clash. The paper will use carefully chosen songs and lyrics from The Clash to demonstrate the band's significance in the changes occurring in British society. The paper will place selected songs in the chapters that will provide information on the themes of race, social injustice, poverty and unemployment, and consumerism. Additionally, it will provide examples of songs that highlight The Clash's concerns regarding social problems as well as demonstrate themes that were crucial for the period.

• Keywords: The Clash; punk; music; Great Britain; British society; 1970s
• Language: english
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:131:264665
• Study programme: Title: English Language and Literature (double major); specializations in: Linguistics, Literature and Culture, Translation; Course: Literature and Culture; Study programme type: university; Study level: graduate; Academic / professional title: magistar/magistra engleskog jezika i književnosti (magistar/magistra engleskog jezika i književnosti)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Access restricted to authenticated users
• Created on: 2023-07-05 16:42:23