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Some of the greatest artists did their best work when they got political.

Yet, it ought to be obvious that good music generally occupies a higher plane that mere politics. Great writers can express moods through melody and capture experiences we share most powerfully - love, lust, longing; joy, rage, fear; triumph, yearning and confusion.

For the introduction of a new kind of music must be shunned as imperiling the whole state; since styles of music are never disturbed without affecting the most important political institutions.

There is no music that can't be used politically, but the motives behind the creation of that music can be non-political.

Music is a weapon in the war against unhappiness.

I don't find music being less important than, like, politics.

Today we are in a war against war - music is our power.

The reason I'm not more political is because I have music. And from a young age, I needed it. After prison, my father came to America, joined the Army, fought in Vietnam - and was exposed to Agent Orange. He died a slow, horrible death. Music was my escape.