Progarchives.com has always (since 2002) relied on banners ads to cover web hosting fees and all. Please consider supporting us by giving monthly PayPal donations and help keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.
Joined: April 11 2014
Location: Kyiv In Spirit
Status: Offline
Points: 20616
Topic: Sex=/=Prog: Yes? No? Good? Bad? Why? Posted: October 14 2014 at 11:31
WWNT? What would Nietzsche think? That's a hard question as philosophers write one thing and many other people over many years try to decipher what they actually meant.
But the 19th century philosopher that hyperbolic-ally stated that "God is dead" was also adverse to the asceticism of Christianity, and had he lived long enough to experience rock 'n roll would probably have found rock 'n roll a dumb ed down version of a purer black American art from and would probably have applauded The Stones for their overt sexuality and would have been put off by Prog's nonsexual lyrical stance; a type of unwritten rule that centers on all topics except the celebration of the sexual.
Is Progressive Rock music actually nonsexual compared to other forms of rock music. if so, why do you think this unwritten rule exists? And does it matter to you if prog is nonsexual or not?
You lose me here, SteveG. If Nietzsche would dislike prog, that's one more reason to love it. Considering sex constitutes for 99% of popular music, it is a breath of fresh air that prog generally avoids the topic.
Joined: May 12 2009
Location: Coolwood
Status: Offline
Points: 6467
Posted: October 14 2014 at 12:07
Nietzsche would reject any kind of popular movement having once written that popular opinion is always wrong. Always. He would also reject any and all overtures of popularity in Prog as he rejected the popularity of German unification. At one point in time, Nietzsche lauded the music of Wagner for its sophistication and elevating qualities, but then came to despise Wagner himself - for accommodating popular opinion. And let's face it - this is a commercial form of music, just one that sells in relatively low numbers. I doubt that any one of our beloved artists would bewail any significant gain in popularity. Remember that many of the classic artists went populist. I do not think he would really care that much about an individual's opinion but he would challenge whether that person was being truly individual or not. And this is the too-often missed aspect of his philosophy. Mastery is not master over others, it is mastery of oneself.
As to the second issue, Prog is not overtly sexual, but themes of love and romance exist. There are those of us who are neither attracted nor titillated by the booty shaking nature of current pop music and find Prog and other genres far more stimulating in that manner (as well as intellectually). I find the music of Vangelis far more sexy than that of Beyoncé. So, no, Prog is not nonsexual, but it approaches the subject in a sophisticated and intelligent manner, nor is that its only subject.
The world of sound is certainly capable of infinite variety and, were our sense developed, of infinite extensions. -- George Santayana, "The Sense of Beauty"
Joined: April 11 2014
Location: Kyiv In Spirit
Status: Offline
Points: 20616
Posted: October 14 2014 at 12:41
^I agree with your view regarding Nietszche and philosophy being one's individual take or Nietszche's constantly changing views, but in order not to turn this into a philosophical debate, I had to dumb down that aspect.
As for prog music being romantic and sensual, that was not the question. Being overtly sexual was the question and there is a distinsct difference beween the two. Pining for a lost love and "I've got to have you! Now!" are quite different. Yes or no?
And as for modern Prog being popular, I'll leave that to your own judgement.
Edited by SteveG - October 14 2014 at 13:05
This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State.
Joined: December 23 2009
Location: Emerald City
Status: Offline
Points: 17863
Posted: October 14 2014 at 13:05
There is nothing sexy about prog...does not matter how you package up depressing, dark, sci-fi, fantasy, dungeons and dragons, Lord of the Rings, melancholic music and lyrics...
Joined: January 24 2010
Location: Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 8649
Posted: October 14 2014 at 13:13
Progressive rock is rock music (and much else, but that is a topic for another thread) and like rock music in general, there is sometimes a sexual aspect to the beat of the music. And lyrically, too, there is sometimes a sexual aspect. for instance,
"Don't you think I still long coming down Making love to you
When we ride on tomorrow I know I'll find someone new So look what you do"
Triumvirat-"Lucky Girl"
Sexuality is an important part of being human, so it's bound to crop up.
Joined: October 16 2006
Location: FL, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 17493
Posted: October 14 2014 at 13:26
I imagine prog sex would be extremely long, kind of confusing, and in a room decorated with rainbows, purple clouds and random elephants. And the climax would sound like Jon Anderson.
Joined: April 11 2014
Location: Kyiv In Spirit
Status: Offline
Points: 20616
Posted: October 14 2014 at 14:01
lazland wrote:
I like prog.
My wife says I am sexy.
Therefore, prog is sexy.
That is about the most serious response I can provide for one of the silliest things I have ever seen.
Ask a silly question and you get a silly answer. Amazing!
In case you haven't noticed Laz, my questions, with humorous overtones, regard Prog's obvious disassociations from main stream rock and the possible reasons why. That you feel this is not worthy of your interest is not important to me.
Edited by SteveG - October 14 2014 at 14:24
This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State.
I guess it depends what kind of "prog" we're talking about.
I've had sex to all these tracks, and none of the girls I entertained got their panties in a twist (That happened before, but that was entirely my doing).
Music is about as sexy as the people performing it though. If the musician is using up all of his/her brainpower on playing a fugue, then it'll probably be quite difficult shaking dat ass at the same time.
As for Nietszche? I've always enjoyed his beard, his Thus Spoke Zarathustra and his joy joy way of re leaving God of any power, and I think he'd be sporting a giant erection if he were to attend an Amon Düül ll concert. Call it a hunch.
“The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
This page was generated in 0.472 seconds.
Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.