Running head: SUBVERSIVE MESSAGING 1 SUBVERSIVE MESSAGING 2 Seeking a research proposal with a topic, description, question to be addressed and thesis on something similar to on the very rough fragmented subject below. Feel free to edit it into something that makes sense. The Essence of Subversive Messaging In Music POLITICAL RESEARCH PAPER – This scholarly research paper begins with this excellent intro that was well received and graded A. It is the Five page Proposal – Political Science, written on the topic of “ subversive messaging”, featured in various types of music a powerful artistic forums. Music connects expressions as the universal language encompassing and conveying emotional messages of passionate emotions of love, loss, rejection, anchored in its quality of subversive messaging and sexual imaging communicated verbally and non-verbal, dialog in jazz, country western, rap, pop, classical, soul, of all genres and the emotions embedded deep within sounds (lyrics & instrumentals) over conversation about unrequited love, domestic relationships, political and social differences that unite us as a society. The advent of sexual escapades in association to music as the communication tool. USE THIS WORK AS THE FOUNDATION, EXPANDING ON IT TO MEET THE ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMANTS. NOTE: The completed assignment MUST NOT NEED OR REQUIRE A FINAL EDIT! RESULTs OF PROOF READ, done by me, MUST BE error free and EXCELLENT! Seeking high-level scholarly , competent, relevant content for a research 25 + page document that includes, components of and including competent and relevant content, an annotated bibliography, literature review and citations page, all of which will evolve and continue around the content and references in this document. May use references listed and also, if possible, Please include and document uses of scholarly resources, journals, references, such as Galileo, jstore, ebsco, etc, as a part of your research trajectory? Instructions; Final draft, extending on this content, to evolve into a 25 + page Scholarly Research Paper, that will proof read for the mechanics of the SCHOLOARY documents, organization, continuity and transition created and EDITED into a completed FINAL DRAFT document, Plagiarism Free (verified) totaling minimum 25 pages , 8 pages of which are presented here, graded (A) prototype proposal, including excellent references, of what the research topic encompassing subversive, political messaging of music, and films, subversive messaging in music, connecting social and cultural alternative communication methods bonding socially. The class, COUNTER POLITICS IN POP CULTURE Political Science, Textbook 1. MUSIC & POLITICS, By John Street, Textbook 2. “Projecting Politics, Political Messages in American Film” ...

1. Running head: SUBVERSIVE MESSAGING
1
SUBVERSIVE MESSAGING
2
Seeking a research proposal with a topic, description, question
to be addressed and thesis on something similar to on the very
rough fragmented subject below. Feel free to edit it into
something that makes sense.
The Essence of Subversive Messaging In Music
POLITICAL RESEARCH PAPER –
This scholarly research paper begins with this excellent intro
that was well received and graded A. It is the Five page
Proposal – Political Science, written on the topic of “
subversive messaging”, featured in various types of music a
powerful artistic forums. Music connects expressions as the
universal language encompassing and conveying emotional
messages of passionate emotions of love, loss, rejection,
anchored in its quality of subversive messaging and sexual
imaging communicated verbally and non-verbal, dialog in jazz,
country western, rap, pop, classical, soul, of all genres and the
emotions embedded deep within sounds (lyrics &
instrumentals) over conversation about unrequited love,
domestic relationships, political and social differences that
unite us as a society. The advent of sexual escapades in
association to music as the communication tool. USE THIS
WORK AS THE FOUNDATION, EXPANDING ON IT TO
MEET THE ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMANTS. NOTE: The
completed assignment MUST NOT NEED OR REQUIRE A
FINAL EDIT! RESULTs OF PROOF READ, done by me,
MUST BE error free and EXCELLENT! Seeking high-level
scholarly , competent, relevant content for a research 25 + page
document that includes, components of and including

2. competent and relevant content, an annotated bibliography,
literature review and citations page, all of which will evolve
and continue around the content and references in this
document. May use references listed and also, if possible,
Please include and document uses of scholarly resources,
journals, references, such as Galileo, jstore, ebsco, etc, as a part
of your research trajectory?
Instructions; Final draft, extending on this content, to evolve
into a 25 + page Scholarly Research Paper, that will proof read
for the mechanics of the SCHOLOARY documents,
organization, continuity and transition created and EDITED into
a completed FINAL DRAFT document, Plagiarism Free
(verified) totaling minimum 25 pages , 8 pages of which are
presented here, graded (A) prototype proposal, including
excellent references, of what the research topic encompassing
subversive, political messaging of music, and films,
subversive messaging in music, connecting social and cultural
alternative communication methods bonding socially. The class,
COUNTER POLITICS IN POP CULTURE Political Science,
Textbook 1. MUSIC & POLITICS, By John Street, Textbook 2.
“Projecting Politics, Political Messages in American Film”, by
Terry Christensen & Peter Hass
Introduction
Throughout history, music has been a major form of
entertainment and presentation of culture. The performers
endeavor to maximize their connection with the audience in
both verbal and non-verbal communication. However, as the
music took center stage in the society, the need to pass some
information to a particular audience arose while retaining the
contemporary role of music as an entertainment medium.
Therefore, artists sought ways to address the same crowds yet
don’t connect at a more intimate/ deeper level with selected
portions of the audience. Different communities have found
different ways to mask their ‘secret’ messages with the obvious

3. coding naturally done through the language used. This paper
explores some three perspectives of music to define subversive
messaging including; origins of calypso, pop from the relevent
source for a top 40’s song countdown,circa 70’s -80’s, created
by radio legend Casey Kasem whos personal career
encompassed over 50years, and romance radio personality
Delia, who’s interactive messaging of feelings and connection,
started in 1996 and continues today.Jointly Resignating
presently the gernred history of country western and African-
American music consisting of soul, spirituals, jazz, blues, rock
& roll, hip-hop and Rhythm & blues. The intention is to
understand the historical background and the need for
subversive messaging in different cultures. Concluding with the
not so much subversive but liberating external delivery of raw
emotions emitting from dialog that country westerns’ uses
lyrics to unabashedly release feeling that could never be
spoken n in traditional ono on one relationships due to
emotional stressors of shyness, intellectual limitations, social
status of gender, macho males who believed that emotions
expressed were signs of weakness.
The Hidden Message: Pop Music
Thomas Edison invented the phonograph in 1877, and one year
later, he found that the cylinder could be reversely rotated to
produce an interesting version of recorded music. The melody
was retained but in a unique manner including the word
patterns. During the ‘Musique Concrete’ era, the Avant-garde
musicians did the first experiment that entailed the editing and
integration of sound fragments (Stollznow, 2014). Since then,
messages have been expertly inserted into music that can only
be heard with clarity upon playing the same song backward. The
best example is the popular musical group the ‘Beatles’ that has
ruled the music industry for over five decades. The group
stumbled upon the art of back-maskingwhile working on their
1965 album by the title ‘Rubber Soul’ (Stollznow, 2014). They
heavily borrowed elements of ‘Musique Concrete’ to establish

4. this new experience. Whether done as a popularization gimmick
or conveyance of a secret message, the subversive messaging by
the Beatles caught the attention of music fans and critics. The
focus was too intense to an extent the death of some of the
members could be supposedly confirmed through confessions in
selected backmasked songs. One such incident is the 1966
rumors by American college students of Paul McCartney death
and replacement but someone that resembled the artist
(Stollznow, 2014).
Not long after, the 1973 film titled ‘the Exorcist’ kicked
another public storm. A tape containing the garbled words of a
possessed victim in the movie when played backward confirmed
the speech to have been made in English. Since then, musicians
such as Ozzy Osborne and bands including; The Eagles, ELO
(Electric Light Orchestra, English RockBband), Judas Priest and
Led Zeppelin were accused of using subversive messaging to
promote satanic subliminal messages (Stollznow, 2014). To
date, seemingly innocent pop music is accused of subliminal
messaging when played in reverse, and the complexities have
since increased based on the ability to fuse music video
elements that complete the subversive messaging.
Musicians such as Miley Cyrus, Beyoncé, Justine Bieber and
Lady Gaga have been cited for using erotic movements and
sexism in their presentations to promote unattainable love. The
words or dancing is intended to shift the focus from the main
message that is often laid out in plain view. [ Was asked to
explore more scholarly refrences “sources” that examines the
social impact of this “coded” form of sexually interpreted
messaging in music THEORY?]
African American Music
Ragtime music originated in the southern communities of
African Americans (Blacks) presumably slaves. The style of
music peaked in the 1890s and lasted till 1918 even though
various revivals took place later in the 20th century. Artists of
the time such as Scott Joplin made music intended to entertain
the African American Community, but inevitably, the style

5. attracted some white audience. Therefore, some crude lyrics
often had to be coded or stylistically hidden to avoid offending
the ‘masters.' The geographical and social exclusion of the
‘blacks’ from the mainstream American lifestyle prolonged the
survival of the African culture long after the end of slavery
(Verney, 2013). This reality was evident through the emergence
of jazz and the ‘blues.' However, the Blues music provided an
in-depth interpretation of the life of the southern black
communities during and after slavery. Metaphors involving
animals were popular in this music, and only a targeted
audience could interpret and understand the underlying
message. A superficial glance at the music often provided
entertainment, but strategic listening delivered lasting lessons
to be carried through the ‘black’ generations. The mule was a
popular animal used to symbolize minimum reward for long and
tedious working hours under unbearable conditions. The animal
was also popular in symbolizing the lowest order in the society,
reflecting the status of the black community.
Love and sex was also a popular theme in the male-dominated
‘Blues’ musical style where sexual prowess was magnified
through animals such as roosters, writhing black snakes, and
stallions (Verney, 2013). Objectification of women was also
established during this era where they were mere symbols of
sexual gratification. Some of the representations of women in
graphics and words included; heifers, pig-meat, and mares
(Verney, 2013). Politically, such songs often triggered debates
because they tended to trigger memories of injustices, wrongs,
and misfortunes of the black community. Depending on the
prevailing atmosphere, the artists could twist lyrics to minimize
adversities while maintaining the subliminal messages.
Calypso
Away from the Caribbean region, calypso music is perceived to
be light-hearted, carefree and in some cases frivolous (Regis,
1999). On the contrary, this style of music is one of the most
political based on its subtle but serious social commentary

6. blurred in the joyful cadences. This genre of music originates
from the historical fight for emancipation from both real and
mental slavery. The composure of the songs in most cases
demands wit and full imagination that finds a way to
communicate the obvious in an indirect manner; that keeps the
target audience hooked on the vibes while the rest are thrilled
from the creativity. Emerging from the West African roots and
propagated by the Slaves channeled in the Caribbean region,
Calypso was designed to lament often and provide satirical
effects. The content was intended to mock the Slave-Masters,
especially in the ‘Harvest festival of Canboulay’ that was
organized to coincide with the pre-Lent Carnival that excluded
even the Freed Slaves (Regis, 1999). As the genre gained its
highest popularity in the 1920s and 30s, it became the primary
source of news as well as a mode of interpreting/
communicating political occurrences. Just like the Blues genre,
Calypso provoked political debates leading to several incidents
of its banning by the colonial government. The topics of
interests diversified to racial consciousness to address racial
segregation in the 1960s.
Assessment of unrequited love
The difficulties and the almost impossible act of emancipation
or acquisition of freedom ensured subversive messaging was
sustained for the safe communication of the minorities during
slavery. Consequently, the beauty and expression of freedom
became vivid to most if not all the hopeful slaves. The post-
slavery period and urbanization era forced all the races to
recognize the power of music. Some of the themes in early
musicals lost part of their meaning as the world embraced
freedom and modernization. However, the need to communicate
prevailing injustices that could not be completely eliminated
through physical freedom has sustained the use of subversive
messaging. Love is a topic that crosses all human boundaries
and has the potential to overcome all social stratification factors
including; age, gender, race, class, employment status, and

7. education level. Therefore, the songs of the post-slavery period
could not find common ground of reaching the masses as well as
using the theme of love. As unattainable love is predominant in
these songs, so is the allure of fighting the social injustices that
exceed to date. Therefore, the intensity of erotic representation
of the same is often perceived by critics as a source of over-
indulging the masses to ensure they do not focus on the ‘real
issues.' Therefore, hidden communication is made to affect the
conscious/ subconscious mind of the audience as a means of
establishing contact. The essence is to deliver the message in
circumstances that would otherwise generate resistance if such
communication was plain or direct.
Conclusion
The highlighted case studies of different music genres have
defined the need for subversive messaging as emerging from the
need to communicate and resonate with a particular target
audience. At the same time, the concept of hidden message
sometimes in plain view serves to throw off track/ confuse
potential threats to the performers or their preferred audience.
The ability to customize the message often endears the song to
the target audience thus creating a following that may directly
or indirectly benefit the musician. The sexual escapades in
music can be justified according to Charles Darwin’s theory that
attaches the origin of music to the need for sex, as witnessed in
animals, especially birds. Benjamin Charlton, a psychologist at
the University of Sussex, supports Darwin’s theory through his
experiment that found women to change their sexual preferences
for music performers/ composers during their menstrual cycles
(Charlton, 2014). Music producers, composers, and performers
seem to have borrowed a leaf from the combined findings to
enhance their songs to maximize on the natural allure of sexual
escapades in music. Survival in the highly competitive music
industry seems destined for the sexiest not only for the natural
attraction but for the ability to exploit the power of subliminal
messaging that has the power to maximize subconscious
programming of the masses towards a particular topic or issue.

8. Subversive messaging was and is intended to protect the artists
and in the same breath endear them to a particular fan-base as a
result of its authenticity. Most artists provide superficial
appearances in their music but always find rare but valuable
opportunities to provide an honest front/ opinion through hidden
messages. Subversive messaging, cultivates an impetrative
emotional bonding that surpasses physical interactions with a
spiritual connectivity that influences behaviors that tribute and
memorialize, continuing a mutual respect, loyalty and love,
beyond anything physically consummated.
References
Charlton, B. D. (2014, June). Menstrual cycle phase alters
women's sexual preferences for composers of more complex
music. In Proc. R. Soc. B (Vol. 281, No. 1784, p. 20140403).
The Royal Society.
Darwin, C. (1888). The descent of man and selection about sex
(Vol. 1). Murray.
Regis, L. (1999). The political calypso: True Opposition in
Trinidad and Tobago, 1962-1987. University Press of Florida.
Stollznow, K. (2014). Backmasking. In Language Myths,
Mysteries and Magic (pp. 133-140). Palgrave Macmillan UK.
Verney, K. (2013). African Americans and US Popular Culture.
London: Routledge.