Can a Song Change an Election? Chile, 1988
Show notes
In Chile in 1988, an accessible pop jingle became part of the No campaign. Diminished History follows the music's creative intentions, public participation and the practical work surrounding a historic vote.
We distinguish the October 1988 plebiscite from the March 1990 handover, and the composer's account of his aims from a measured effect on voters. Original percussive demonstrations make one musical idea audible without reproducing the campaign song.
AI-narrated.
Related listening: our episode on Bob Dylan's Nobel Prize in Literature, in the Diminished History feed.
Sources: Jaime de Aguirre, https://chile88.cl/jaime-de-aguirre-3/ ; Eugenio García, https://chile88.cl/eugenio-garcia/ ; Biblioteca Nacional, https://www.memoriachilena.gob.cl/602/w3-article-92412.html ; CNTV, https://cntv.cl/en-el-dia-de-los-patrimonios-revive-el-primer-capitulo-de-las-ultimas-tres-decadas-de-la-franja-electora/ ; Museo de la Memoria, https://catalogo.museodelamemoria.cl/video/franja-del-no-1988-capitulo-16/ ; official TRICEL result, https://tricel.cl/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/SENTENCIA-PLEBISCITO-1988.pdf ; Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional, https://www.bcn.cl/historiapolitica/resenas_parlamentarias/wiki/Patricio_Aylwin_Az%C3%B3car .
Credits: original narration and percussive demonstration by Diminished History. The campaign recording is not included.