For example, music revealed disillusionment with the American Dream and expressed criticism of American foreign and domestic policy. In particular, the music industry reflected the anti-war sentiments during the late 1960s and early 1970s when the United States was still involved in Vietnam.
Music also reflected shifting social and cultural values. For example, songs in the 1950s were innocent whereas those from the 1970s were darker in tone and often contained references to sex and drugs. The tone of American music shifted toward even more frank discussion of political and social issues during the 1980s when punk delivered frank messages. The music industry in America also introduced sounds from across the sea: from primarily the United Kingdom but also Japan, Germany, India and all over the world. The introduction of multicultural beats into American music reflected the diverse fabric of our society.
World beats are often synthesized with electro, hiphop or pop music. Music like hip-hop that grew out of and therefore reflects urban African-American culture. Although the music industry and especially hip-hop are frequently criticized for promoting misogynist and materialistic values, those values were already present in American society. The music did not and does not create negative sentiments. Marketing music has changed with emerging technologies. File sharing has forced the music industry to stay apace with the ways young people and all listeners want to acquire new music. Instead of fighting technology, the music industry is finally starting to reflect the passion for new technology by offering downloadable for-profit albums online. Both in the music itself and in the marketing of music, the recording industry reflects American culture.
