| Description | Track 1: Eric Hobsbawm criticises a pop song - although its words and music are not good, the important thing is the content and political, anti-patriotic subject matter of the song and why this appeals to 'the kids'; he talks about the radicalisation of the kids in Britain and America, 2.18 mins
Track 2: The interviewer says that it is important to talk about the quality of the song; Eric Hobsbawm says that although it is not possible to apply the criteria of literary criticism to the song, it is important to consider its political content, he talks about protest songs and Bob Dylan, the interviewer asks how protest songs are related to the decline of the British left and suggests that they are a substitute for genuine protest, he replies that this isn't the fault of the songs, 3.51 mins
Tracks 3-4: The interviewer asks what comes next for teenagers after they have had their 'pop phase' - he replies that there is nothing, he does not think that we should expect that pop should lead people to 'higher culture' such as Beethoven; they discuss the relationship between pop and protest; he says that pop and mass consumer society 'vulgarises' and 'reduces' genuine sentiments and stops people from aspiring to something politically or culturally better; he sees pop as a reflection of society; it does not lead society.
Track 5: Silence, 6.24 mins
Total: 19.05 mins
Dubber's reference number: PLA KF549C0358480 |