CS400U Blog Post 1
Recently, something in the world of digital media that I find very intriguing is a TikTok video of Chappell Roan performing her unreleased song "The Subway" at Bonnaroo. When I first heard the song, I thought it was so sonically beautiful that I let the TikTok play multiple times. Since then, the TikTok has been saved in my favourites and I find myself playing the video at random times of the day. I'm unsure why the song resonates with me, I think I appreciate how expressive her voice is and how it depicts grief. The chant "She got away" or "She's got a way" (double entendre) captures this feeling of loss, whether it be a relationship or a friendship that slips away before one can fully grasp it. In university life, where relationships and experiences are constantly evolving, I've been turning to this song to serve as a reminder of how fleeting and fragile some connections can be. Listening to this song has been a cathartic experience that reflects how I engage with music regularly because I like listening to things that sound good to me, and songs that allow me to reflect on my own experiences with loss and change.
I thought this course would be fun because I took CS371 Social Media and Social Life and CS325 Digital Media and Culture. I enjoyed both those courses, which I know have similar content to this course. One potential topic I'd like to explore in my group project is the rise of TikTok/Short music. I find it interesting how artists have to consider making their songs catchier or shorter to get popular on TikTok. Another topic is ASMR and its cultural impact.
Link:
The Subway - Chappell Roan
Thanks for sharing how Chappell Roan's unreleased song has personally affected your own experiences with loss and change. I think its interesting you said you'd like to explore the rise of TikTok music because I am also interested in diving deeper into this topic. I believe TikTok has drastically changed how people find and consume music. Personally, I find a lot of new songs and artists on TikTok that I'm not sure I would have found otherwise. For example, I don't think I would have known any of Chappell Roan's songs unless I heard them on TikTok.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the response Meghan! I agree that the rise of TikTok music is interesting to explore. So many times, I've heard a pretty catchy song on TikTok, only for the rest of the song to let me down. Also I agree that there's a huge outreach for artists on TikTok, as I've learned of many artists through the platform.
DeleteHey Chloe, I love that you brought up Chappell Roan in this course, considering she is such a new force in the music industry. Don't get me wrong, I love her music and appreciate the messages she shares through her music. However, she has been receiving a lot of backlash lately after she shared that she should not have to take pictures with fans in public as it makes her feel harassed. Do you think she is cut out for stardom?
ReplyDeleteHi Sydney! Thanks for the response. I enjoy Chappell Roan's music and I think the backlash she's been facing is inevitable but also silly. I think she is cut out for stardom because she's good at writing and singing music. Although it must be disappointing to the fans that she cancels shows, or doesn't want to take pictures, I still don't think that's a good enough reason for her to receive backlash. It's important not to place celebrities on pedestals!
DeleteHey Chloe! I like the connection you make between musical artists and TikTok. I discovered Chappell Roan from TikTok and became a fan after hearing her incredible voice and watching fan-made videos using her songs and videos of her performances on stage. Despite "Subway" being unreleased officially, her fans sharing it on TikTok allows other fans to save, listen, and connect to it too. The app spreads music with trends and algorithms to act as a means for both playing back songs we already know and discovering new music and artists we might not have known about without it!
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