PUNK

Project description

As a medium of cultural expression, music serves not only an aesthetic function but also a discursive one. Song lyrics, in particular, offer a revealing lens through which to examine social trends, collective notions, and individual perspectives. Against the backdrop of tourist mobility, song lyrics can be interpreted as elements of the tourism discourse that both reflect and help shape it. They not only process real travel experiences but also shape imaginations of travel, of destinations, and of the self while on the move.

The lyrics of the punk movement—which originated in the 1970s in the U.S. and the U.K.—seem particularly suited for closer examination, as it quickly developed into a cultural phenomenon characterized by a rebellious attitude and politically charged messages. In addition to distinctive musical features such as short, fast, and loud songs, art, fashion, and a strong “do-it-yourself” (DIY) ethos define the scene’s self-image, which consistently positions itself in opposition to social norms and the mainstream. Punk can be described as a multifaceted, oppositional cultural movement in which musical and lyrical expression is of central importance.

A qualitative methodology was chosen for the study. The analysis is based on punk songs that were identified through a scene-specific call for submissions on social media. The data were thematically coded and analyzed using both inductive and deductive approaches.