Persepolis Song Assignment
Persepolis Song Assignment
Kyle Andersen
5/23/13
If someone came into our country and started play music that denounced freedom, football, and Christianity would many Americans be offended? The answer to this question is also the answer to as why the ruling party in Iran in the 1980’s banned all music that went against the principles of Islam. The Muslim religion denounces drugs, adultery, alcohol, gambling, renouncing Islam, and the consumption of certain animals. During the 1980’s, American music encompassed and advertised most of the themes that Islam disapproves of. This is a no brainer as to why a song like” Love in an Elevator” by Aerosmith would be banned by Iran because it displays images of gambling, partying and fornication/adultery.
In the first stanza, Steven Tyler opens the song talking about working for the boss and “bettin’ on the dice I’m tossin’ (Oh yeah!)”. The singer is obviously unhappy about his working situation and references gambling in a metaphorical sense to show he is risking a lot. Islam does not approve of gambling because gambling takes the possessions of an individual without a just reason and this act would hinder Muslim societies from economic growth. Even if in the song it is gambling in the metaphorical sense, it would still offend the majority of Islamic people of the time. In America, Gambling is a common past time activity of many men and women and they would be shocked to hear that this hobby is completely banned in multiple foreign countries.
The offensive theme that really sticks out in this song is the act of fornication and adultery. In Islamic culture, Adultery is punished by death by stoning or one hundred lashes among unmarried people. Also these acts of adultery don’t even have to be proven to be punishable. Sexual themes are such a taboo in Iran that women must legally wear a veil to cover their hair as to not arouse men. For this reason, the song “Love in an Elevator” is number one on the list of forbidden
Kyle Andersen
5/23/13
If someone came into our country and started play music that denounced freedom, football, and Christianity would many Americans be offended? The answer to this question is also the answer to as why the ruling party in Iran in the 1980’s banned all music that went against the principles of Islam. The Muslim religion denounces drugs, adultery, alcohol, gambling, renouncing Islam, and the consumption of certain animals. During the 1980’s, American music encompassed and advertised most of the themes that Islam disapproves of. This is a no brainer as to why a song like” Love in an Elevator” by Aerosmith would be banned by Iran because it displays images of gambling, partying and fornication/adultery.
In the first stanza, Steven Tyler opens the song talking about working for the boss and “bettin’ on the dice I’m tossin’ (Oh yeah!)”. The singer is obviously unhappy about his working situation and references gambling in a metaphorical sense to show he is risking a lot. Islam does not approve of gambling because gambling takes the possessions of an individual without a just reason and this act would hinder Muslim societies from economic growth. Even if in the song it is gambling in the metaphorical sense, it would still offend the majority of Islamic people of the time. In America, Gambling is a common past time activity of many men and women and they would be shocked to hear that this hobby is completely banned in multiple foreign countries.
The offensive theme that really sticks out in this song is the act of fornication and adultery. In Islamic culture, Adultery is punished by death by stoning or one hundred lashes among unmarried people. Also these acts of adultery don’t even have to be proven to be punishable. Sexual themes are such a taboo in Iran that women must legally wear a veil to cover their hair as to not arouse men. For this reason, the song “Love in an Elevator” is number one on the list of forbidden