MusicInPopularCultureEssay Part1AuthenticityinMusic The questionof whether some music is inscribed with authenticity is an interestingone.

A definition for authenticity is important original music which is uncorrupted by money and success, music which never sells out. Yetthese definitions can be scrutinised,music can be successful and authentic. Authenticity conjures up ideas of integrity andorganicpurity,although thesearenotsinequanon. It is evident thatinscribedauthenticity is a perfectly legitimate authenticitytoacomposer or artist. Firstperson inscribed authenticity makes music legitimately authentic, as a personal, autobiographical sentiments are presented in the music. Tailoring the sounds to describe one individuals personality makes sentiments original, as the same precise message willnever be pervaded into music by any other. First person authenticity does not necessitate an external audience to interpret it as authentic, the music is simply an expression of an artists feelings, whichexistsindependentlyofspectators. However, it is a reasonable notion that much musical authenticity is merely ascribed by the audience/ listener. Every individual has their own notion ofwhat, to them, is quintessentially authentic. When examiningthis idea, the instrumentation,thelookoftheartistsclothingetcand the stylistic tradition, all give indications as to what is musical authenticity. The mechanism to determine authenticity must reflect on a persons own ideologies and life experiences, this second person authenticity results from a validation of the experiences of an observer. Yet, whether the ideas were intended by the artist should be irrelevant. If some music appears to possess certain political, social, ormoralmessagessynonymouswiththeidealsofalistener,or viewer, then they can assert that the music isauthentic.Evenifthemusicismassproducedby a cadre of media executives, it can be authentic to any listeners whoimbue authenticity onto it whoidentifywithit. For my own tastes, the music of Pink Floydisunreservedlyauthentic.Themusicalstyle is inspired by many other great musicians, for example the Beatles and Miles Davis, thus sustaining a tradition of musical integrity and creativity. Their music is both is provocative and contemplative, and utilises both traditional and contemporary instruments, which makes it timeless. They have instigated many important political issues into music, most notably in The Wall,andmattersofhumanity,whichIidentifywithinmyimaginedself . I certainly ascribe an identity to Pink Floyd, that of an intellectually progressive form of rock, something inheriting the tradition of the cerebralmelancholic.ThereforeasIhaverecognised,or indeed invested, these associations in the music Pink Floyd offer a completely convincing, originalandauthenticexpressionofmusic.

Bibliography Frith, S. (Editor) 2007, Talking Popular Music Seriously: Selected Essays, Ashgate Publishing Ltd,Aldershot.