Publication Type
Journal Article
Version
acceptedVersion
Publication Date
1-1995
Abstract
This paper focuses on popular music written and produced by Singaporeans to illustrate the nature of social relationships based on ideological hegemony and resistance. Analysis is based on two groups of music: 'national' songs supported by the government in the 'Sing Singapore' programme; and songs brought together in Not the Singapore song book. Interviews with local lyricists and analysis of video productions provide supplementary information. Music is used by the ruling elite to perpetuate certain ideologies aimed at political socialization and to inculcate a civil religion that directs favour and fervour towards the nation. Music is also a form of cultural resistance against state policies and some social-cultural norms. Music embodies social commentaries on aspects of Singapore society, such as controversial government policies and the ostentatious lifestyle of many Singaporeans.
Keywords
Popular music, cultural politics, ideology, resistance, Singapore
Discipline
Asian Studies | Music | Sociology of Culture
Research Areas
Humanities
Publication
Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers
Volume
20
Issue
4
First Page
447
Last Page
459
ISSN
0020-2754
Identifier
10.2307/622975
Publisher
Wiley
Embargo Period
1-15-2016
Citation
Kong, Lily.(1995). Music and Cultural Politics: Ideology and Resistance in Singapore. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 20(4), 447-459.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/1865
Copyright Owner and License
Authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.2307/622975