The English music star Morrissey got his start in the band The Smiths,singing about radical vegetarianism and bisexuality in the 1980s.He was effeminate,bleak,and sarcastic.Today,his fan base has expanded far beyond the disaffected English teenagers who bought his original records.In fact,some of his most devoted fans are Hispanics in Southern California.How is it possible that British teenagers in the 1980s and Hispanic Californians can appreciate the same music?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The different cultural backgrounds and experiences of British teenagers in the 1980s and Hispanic Californians mean that they bring different interpretive strategies to listening to Morrissey's music. While there may be some common themes and emotions that both groups can appreciate in the music, it is likely that they have different ways of understanding and relating to the lyrics and messages conveyed in the songs. This shows that the meaning of music is not fixed or universal, but rather depends on the cultural and personal contexts of the listener.

The English Music Star Morrissey Got His Start in the Band