Foucault vs. U2: An exploration of music and meaning

Abstract or Summary

Today U2 is one of the most successful rock bands in history. Yet their success both commercially and at conveying a message of hope, compassion, and communion (among other themes) seems to be irrelevant in the light of the postmodern views of language, meaning, and authorial intent. Although the facets of postmodernism are many, this essay will take a critical look at the aforementioned views (particularly as presented by Michel Foucault , but also with reference to Jacques Derrida and Stanley Fish), investigating the ramifications these theories have on the relevance of music as a medium for communicating a message.