The embodiment of ‘Chinese strength’

Cultural collectivism in the lyrics of epidemic songs

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/prbt.19331

Keywords:

COVID-19, Lyrics, Epidemic Songs, Cultural Collectivism

Abstract

This article examines how Chinese songs have incorporated collectivism-oriented cultural values since the outbreak of COVID-19. Such songs are composed to express emotions and cultural values during the global crisis. They are also cultural symbols, sharing not only music but also cultural spirit. This article takes lyrics in Chinese songs, published from February to April 2020, as symbolic texts to analyse the cultural values behind music composing and expression. We identify keywords in song lyrics such as Yi Qing [epidemic], Kang Yi [anti-epidemic] and Xin Guan [COVID-19] via a representative music platform (NetEase Cloud Music) in China. The results show that these lyrics emphasize different levels of collectivism, including eulogizing the nation, advocating unity, and praising national heroes.

Author Biographies

  • Wenyu Zhong, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology

    Wenyu Zhong is a post-graduate student at University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, China. Her research interests include popular music studies and communication studies.

  • Mengyu Luo, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology

    Mengyu Luo is Associate Professor at University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, China. Her research interests include music sociology and cultural studies.

References

Clarke, E. 2011. Politics, Religion and the Song of Songs in Seventeenth-century England. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230308657

Gerson, G., and A. Rubin. 2015. ‘Cultural Nationalism and Liberal Values: An Elusive Synthesis’. International Political Science Review 36/2: 197–213. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192512113507829

Ho, W. C. 2018. ‘Propaganda Songs in Music Education: Between Chinese Nationalism and Chinese Socialism’. In Culture, Music Education, and the Chinese Dream in Mainland China, 83–117. Cultural Studies and Transdisciplinarity in Education, 7. Springer: Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7533-9_4

Hofstede, G. 1980. Culture’s Consequences: International Differences in Work-related Values, 2nd edn. Beverly Hills, CA: SAGE.

Kim, H. S., D. K. Sherman and J. A. Updegraff. 2016. ‘Fear of Ebola: The Influence of Collectivism on Xenophobic Threat Responses’. Psychological Science 27/7: 935–44. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797616642596

Lockard, C. A. 1998. Dance of Life: Popular Music and Politics in Southeast Asia. Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press. https://doi.org/10.1515/9780824862114

Triandis, H. C. 1995. Individualism and Collectivism. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

Xu, Y. and Zhang, W. 2017. ‘New Media’s Impact on China from a Culture Perspective’. In New Media and Chinese Society, ed. K. Xue and M. Yu, 95–119. Communication, Culture and Change in Asia, 5. Singapore: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-6710-5_6

Online songs

[Confirm that Love Will Win] 2020. NetEase Cloud Music. 2 February. http://music.163.com/song?id=1420282864&userid=98581924 (accessed 1 September 2021).

Fight as ONE 2020. NetEase Cloud Music. 3 April. http://music.163.com/song?id=1437165631&userid=98581924 (accessed 1 September 2021).

[Out of War] 2020. NetEase Cloud Music. 8 February. http://music.163.com/song?id=1421806758&userid=98581924 (accessed 1 September 2021).

[We Are Together] 2020. NetEase Cloud Music. 12 February. http://music.163.com/song?id=1422519064&userid=98581924 (accessed 1 September 2021).

[We Will Certainly Win] 2020. NetEase Cloud Music. 4 February. http://music.163.com/song?id=1420663401&userid=98581924 (accessed 1 September 2021).

Published

2021-12-21

How to Cite

Zhong, W. ., & Luo, M. . (2021). The embodiment of ‘Chinese strength’: Cultural collectivism in the lyrics of epidemic songs. Perfect Beat, 21(2), 118–122. https://doi.org/10.1558/prbt.19331