Stuart Hall Response

“Identity is within discourse, within representation. It is constituted in part by representation. Identity is a narrative of the self; it’s the story we tell about the self in order to know who we are.”

Stuart Hall argues that identity is something very complex, multifaceted. It is not constant or stable, but rather consists of evolving labels. Music, with its infinite genres, serves as an unvarying outlet for self-identification. Although music transforms through revolutions and improved technology, it has been continuous in its ability to connect with basically everyone. Music uses language, synchronized with melodies and rhythms, to speak to people. Songwriters use their lyrics to convey a personal message through singing to their audience in a way that wouldn’t be as meaningful as if it were spoken. For example, “Ramblin’ Man” written and performed by the Allman Brothers tells the story of lead vocalist, Dickey Betts. Through writing down all the life-shaping experiences of his life and conveying them through song, Betts is able to connect with his audience through a representation of his complex identity; he narrates himself as a man without one concrete label. Furthermore, compiling all these diverse experiences into one song allows Betts to recognize himself as a true ramblin’ man, someone who goes through this life without a direct and defined route. In his case, along with most other artists, music serves as source for self-portrayal and ultimately, it serves as an instrumental step towards a search for true identity.