User:Suburbanpirate/musical satire

Musical Satire
Music that is funny or political or sarcastic or a parody or witty may be considered satirical but not always. It may contain a mixture of these elements.

When a comedian performs a song and makes us laugh he would need to demonstrate more than just humour to be considered satirical. In the same way the use of parody or wit may not always be satirical.

The quality of subversion is an important element in satire. The ability of the music to create a feeling of discomfort or surprise or even disgust maybe needed to create a satirical effect. The music may also be critical in a way that urged the listener to take an action or change their view but this would need to been done also wit as criticism alone would fall short of satire

Subversion is dependent on the setting of the performance, what may seem subversive for one audience may not  effect an audience in another time or place.

Tom Lehrer is considered satirical due to his wit and humour but also because he is subverting the genre of a conservative musical setting that was popular at the time.After time Lehrer may seem less satirical as the shock element is faded by changing fashions. The comedic element has not faded.

A more recent example is the character of Borat by Sacha Baron Cohen when he sings 'Throw the Jew down the well' .The elements of shock is combined with being very funny. He is lampooning the folk song, and the folk singer while being funny and disconcerting at the same time.

The many requirements on the definition of musical satire may explain the few number of satirical songwriters to be found

Here is a list of songwriters that maybe considered satirical.

[frank Zappa]

Gilbert and Sullivan[]

Tom_Lehrer[]

Flanders and Swann[]

The Bonzo Dod Band[]

Neil Innes[]

Weird Al Yankovic[]

Harry Shearer[]