Almost everyone in the world loves music, from local acts to international superstars, and from contemporary hits to classic pieces. Music has been important to people for centuries, if not millennia. But what about nation states? Can music play a vital role in how countries see themselves and in their national lives? In fact, yes, and we’ll explain how…
1. Music Is A Key Part Of National Cultures
A first reason why music is important for a country is because of the role it plays in many national cultures.
Music is a key part of many cultures. Musical traditions often go back centuries and instrumental music, as well as singing and dancing, are vital elements of almost all societies. Around the world, music is one of the main ways people express themselves culturally. The fact that a nation’s culture is a vital part of its way of life, shows how important music can be for a country.
A nation’s music often says something about its culture. The choice of instruments and rhythms affect the choices of dance movements. Lyrics to songs also often deal with cultural elements, including love, marriage, death, tragedy and story ballads. Protest songs attack a nation’s leaders or advocate for changes within a society. It is possible to learn a lot about a national culture from its music, and this is why it is important for so many countries.
2. Music Is Used At National Ceremonies
A second reason why music is important for a country is because it is used in national ceremonies.
All societies have ceremonies that are key to their national identities. These can be political or religious ceremonies, national celebrations or mourning events, or wider cultural events. Songs and lyrics that are important for the country and its people often play a prominent role in national ceremonies. This shows how important music can be for a nation.
As well as national ceremonies, a country’s music also plays a key role in ceremonies that individuals undertaken, such as weddings or funerals. All countries have music that is specially dedicated to ceremonies like these, and connects them to their position within the wider society, as well as gives them a historical link. This further shows how important music is to national life.
3. It Can Bring A Nation’s People Together
A third reason why music is important for a country is because it helps bring people together.
The music of a nation is often seen as very important by a country’s people. Everything from religious songs to classical music, through to contemporary hits that get worldwide attention, people of all countries view the music their nation produces are as important part of their identity. This widely held view means that music can help bring people together, as people can bond over their nation’s music. This is another example of how music can be important for a country.
Famous songs from a nation, be they modern music hits, older well-known tunes or even classical music pieces, are known by almost everyone one in the country. This means they are a common factor that everyone can enjoy. People from different social economic backgrounds, or regions of a nation, all have in common the enjoyment the country’s music. This helps to bring people together, and can be a major reason why music is important for a nation state.
4. It Can Promote A Country Overseas
Another reason why music is important for a country is because it can help promote a nation overseas.
The musical artists that come out of many countries are enjoyed around the world. For decades, some countries have had music artists have had massive worldwide fanbases. These musicians are closely connected to their country of origin, and often acts as indirect promotions for their country. Musical styles, lyrical content, musicianship and instrument choice can all connect a musical artist with their home country. This means fans around the world also experience that connection. This can be hugely beneficial for a country.
There are many musicians that are always connected with the countries they come from. As they tour the world, they implicitly act as a promotion for that nation. This not only helps to create a positive image of that country abroad, but also builds a link between fans and the artists home country. This can be really important for a nation.
5. Music Industries Can Boost National Economies
One reason why music can be important for a country is because it can play a vital role in its economy.
Many countries have large music industries. These companies not only fund and promote music artists by selling records and advertising them, but they also put on concerts nationally and internationally, as well as music festivals. Billions of dollars a year can be made by a country’s music industry, which can play a vital role in the national economy.
Another way that a nation’s music can boost its economy is through tourism. People will often travel internationally to attend concerts or festivals. Big name music acts can be a major tourism draw. Also, as we’ve said, music artists from a country can act a promotion for their home nation. This helps people connect with that country, and many choose to visit because of where their favourite musicians are from. Museums and tours of musician’s famous sites also draw tourists. This further shows how important music can be an economic boost for a country.
6. It Can Connect A Country To Its Past
A final reason why music is important for a country is because it can connect a nation with its past.
Almost every country in the world has a long musical tradition. Music pieces written years ago are still vital parts of cultural life. Musical traditions that span back centuries are still practiced to this day. The role music plays in national celebrations and public events often has not changed throughout history. This means that music can be a vital way that a nation connects with it’s past, and this why it is so important.
As well as music connecting people with their nation’s past, it can also link people to previous generations. Many musical hits still listened to today are from decades ago. These songs highlight the lives, politics and ideals of previous generations, and help connect people of today with their parents, grandparents and older generations. This can be important for how people understand their nation’s recent history, and is another reason why music is so important for a country.