Philosophy at 33 1/3 RPM: Themes of Classic Rock Music

by James Franklin Harris

Book Overview

True friendship, true community, social and sexual alienation, the death of God, the importance of the present momnet, individual autonomy, the corruption of the state, revolution, the end of the present age -- such are the intellectual themes of classic rock. Sixties rock music left behind the harmless bubblegum and surfing ditties of the 1950s to become a vehicle for the thoughtful commentary upon the human condition. Theories and motifs from philosophy,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812692411
• ISBN13: 9780812692419
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Open Court
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

It's not only rock'n'roll

Harris uses excerpts from songs and historical sketches of the classic rock era to illustrate the philosophical significance of what has been condemned as just noise made to annoy parents. Obviously music that moved so many at a pivotal point in our nation's history has many philosophical underpinnings, and Harris points out themes and relates them to the work of many philosophers, including (big surprise!) Nietzsche. It's an entertaining read and made me wish for a class using this as a text.