Art & Humanities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Art & Humanities - Essay Example Through a critical analysis of Nickelback's hit single, Rockstar,' this essay shall try to establish that while the behavior of rockstars and rock bands is often supportive of the most negative of the stereotypes surrounding the genre, the music and lyrics particular to rock often have a profound message to communicate, one which directly ties in to the dreams, aspirations and fears of the youth. Nickelback is a stereotypical bad, wild boy rock band. The Canadian band, which made its first appearance on the music scene in 1995, is comprised of Chad and Mike Kroeger and Ryan Vikedal. Over the past twelve years, the band has attained popular success, with global sales of approximately 25 million albums and several Juno, MTV, American Music and World Music awards (Jennings, 2002) but has repeatedly aroused criticisms and controversies regarding the behavior both on and off-stage. While in concert in Portugal in 2002, the band members fought with and insulted audience members before walking off stage, refusing to come back on again. They were subsequently criticized as unprofessional and unreliable, in addition to which they lost a significant percentage of the European fan base as a result (Jennings, 2002). Association with excessive drug and alcohol use has not helped the band's image (Rendon, 2005). Objectively speaking, Nickelback's on and off-stage antics and behavior has furnished additional support for rock music's critics and, indeed, appears to further evidence the popular conception of rock music and musicians as decadent and a corrupting influence. As this appears typical of most rockstars, Kizis (2001) theorizes a link between the genre and the behavior of its stars. The genre is, by definition, a declaration of rebellion against customs and traditions, and embraces a rejection of what is typically regarded as music. Singing becomes shouting, melody becomes dissonance and the identification of rhythm is an often daunting challenge. Rock music is a rebellion, an uprising against musical conventions and rockstars are, by the very virtue of their adherence to, and association with, the genre, rebels against traditional and conventions, against norms and mores. In other words, just like the genre itself, the behavior of rockstars is a cultural statement and a declaration of refusal to be bound by conventions. Nickelback is no exception. Apart from the statement of rebellion which Nickelback expresses through both behavior and chosen genre, the band has something to say and their name is evidence of this. As explained on the band's official website, the band members are all from very modest backgrounds but had hopes of succeeding through their music. From the outset, however, they were determined that their success, if they ever attained it, would not make them forget their roots and their reality. The band's name serves as that reminder because it recalls the members' origins as employees of a small coffee shop when their only words to customers were "here's your nickel back" (Nickelback.com). The band's name derives from this and, at one and the same time, expresses both its members' originality and determination to remember, even when at the peak, their origins and, thus, their reality. The band's name, in other words, signifies a connection with its members' roots. Just as the band's name functions as a