Obama last night addressed some Berliners, When any possible American president addresses Germans, comparison are made to JFK’s famous speech and sometimes to Ronald Reagans speech which is considered in some circles to have been more influential in bringing about the biggest change in Berlin in sixty years. The bringing down of the Berlin wall.

While these events are notable with out a doubt. I would like to put forward another argument. That modern pop music was responsible for that change. Just how powerful music is in our culture especially in the last 30 years is phenomenal. With mass communication it was not just thought that could get transferred around the world in a few days but music too. How many of us know the words to “Yellow submarine”, or “Love me do” compared to Kennedy’s speech “ich ben ien Berliner”. Both are important but “Love me do” is more fun/easier to remember.

Another example is Chopin he has been able to express and capture the mood much clearer and longer than any of his contemporaries of the time about what was happening. For example who can remember Andrew Jackson the seventh president of America? Who was in power, not me, but I do remember Chopin from this period.

Who do you think is more effective, Should composers be political leaders?