"It doesn't matter what i say
So long as i sing with inflection
That makes you feel that i'll convey
Some inner truth of vast reflection" ~Blues Travelers

I went to see Steve Earle this weekend and I have been thinking about music and its impact the past couple of days. Where do artists mainly singer/songwriters draw the line between singing and writing about things that are inspiring to them and just delighting people's ears? I guess what I'm trying to say is if I was a songwriter and politics and religion were really inspiring me to write and sing then should I feel weird or bad about forcing that upon my listeners? I mean I totally understand how the things around us love, death, work, material things for example inspire us to write and have some sort of opinion. But is music about what that person is trying to convey or is it more about trying to create something for others to appreciate and try to draw a parallel with themselves.

I knew going into the Steve Earle concert that his new cd was about political things going on in our nation right now. Even though I don't necessarily agree with all he said and sang about I feel like he has the right to express himself the way he wants to and have the opinions that he does. But should an artist who you don't really associate with a political/religious nature be allowed to voice their opinions during most of the concert? I understand that he definetely has the right to do whatever he likes at his concerts and I knew about this going into it but do you think maybe musicians should understand that their fans go to hear good music not a political stance? Where is that line between feeling passionate about something and wanting to share it with your fans and forgetting that they might just want to hear some good music.... just a thought for today. Actually I really enjoyed the concert, at least it left me with food for thought.