British Popular Music and National Identity in the 1990s

Mémoire de Maîtrise , 2004 , 113 Pages , Note: 1.3

Philologie Anglaise - Culture et Études de pays

This thesis evaluates the relation between British popular music and national identity. It concentrates on developments during the 1990s, bringing together all three popular genres of pop music during that period: indie rock, dance music and black music.
Taking into account theoretical considerations on popular music, this thesis applies theories of collective identities in general and national identity in particular to Nineties pop. By analyzing an example of popular music media as well as selected music texts, the discourses within popular music culture are being compared to general discourses on questions of national identity within Great Britain.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• Introduction
• Collective identities
• National identity
• National British identity
• Popular music theory
• British pop and national identity before 1990
• Indie rock and Britpop in the 1990s
• Black British music in the 1990s
• British dance music in the 1990s
• Conclusion
• Bibliography
• Lyrics

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

This thesis aims to analyze the relationship between British popular music and national identity, focusing on developments during the 1990s. It examines various genres of popular music from that period, including indie rock, Britpop, black British music, and dance music, to understand how they reflected and influenced national identity in Britain.

• The role of popular music in shaping and reflecting national identity
• The impact of different genres on the construction of British identity
• The relationship between popular music and social and political discourses on national identity
• The influence of popular music on public opinion and cultural values
• The potential for popular music to re-signify national identity

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

The introduction explores the concept of national identity through the lens of Morrissey's song "Irish Blood, English Heart," highlighting the complexities and potential for re-signification of national identity in popular music. It also outlines the thesis's objectives and methodology.

Chapter 2 delves into the concept of collective identities, examining the theoretical framework for understanding identity as a social construct and exploring the various categories of collective identities, including gender, class, race, ethnicity, nationality, lifestyle, and subculture.

Chapter 3 focuses on the concept of national identity, examining its historical development, theoretical frameworks, and the various factors that contribute to its formation and evolution.

Chapter 4 specifically examines the concept of national British identity, exploring its historical and contemporary manifestations, the role of cultural symbols and narratives, and the impact of social and political changes on its evolution.

Chapter 5 provides a theoretical framework for understanding popular music, examining its role as a cultural phenomenon, its relationship to social and political contexts, and its potential for influencing public opinion and cultural values.

Chapter 6 explores the relationship between British popular music and national identity before the 1990s, examining key trends and developments in music and their connection to broader social and political discourses on national identity.

Chapter 7 analyzes the rise of indie rock and Britpop in the 1990s, examining their cultural significance, their relationship to national identity, and their impact on British popular music and culture.

Chapter 8 examines the role of black British music in the 1990s, exploring its cultural significance, its relationship to national identity, and its impact on British popular music and culture.

Chapter 9 analyzes the rise of British dance music in the 1990s, examining its cultural significance, its relationship to national identity, and its impact on British popular music and culture.

Schlüsselwörter

The keywords and focus themes of the text include British popular music, national identity, 1990s, indie rock, Britpop, black British music, dance music, cultural identity, social change, political discourse, and cultural influence.

• Université: University of Leipzig
• Note: 1.3
• Auteur: Anja Thümmler (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2004
• Pages: 113
• N° de catalogue: V186497
• ISBN (ebook): 9783869436647
• ISBN (Livre): 9783869432410
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: british, popular, music, national, identity