Hair Metal, 80s Rock Anthems, and Karate: The Musical Education of Cobra Kai

• In Event: Pop Culture and The Framing of Politics

Abstract

Cobra Kai, the Netflix series and The Karate Kid spin-off takes seriously the role that music has in shaping and forming the souls and character of young people. As Allan Bloom observed, "music is at the center of education, both for giving the passions their due and for preparing the soul for the unhampered use of reason" and "such education was recognized by all the ancient educators." Mozart and Beethoven, not AC/DC, Twister Sister, and Poison, are usually among the composers recommended for inspiring orderly souls. Rock is widely condemned too turbulent and tumultuous. This paper proposes to investigate how Cobra Kai, along side its gymnastic education in karate, makes use of 80s rock music to educate the young. Cobra Kai weds rock's defiance with filial piety. Gen X parents introduce their Gen Z teenagers to the music of their youth. Like a rite of passage, the teenagers cultivate some much needed spiritedness, brashness, and self-assertion to stand up to bullies. But bullies are not limited to the schoolhouse and the series shows how the parents assert themselves, in better and worse ways, against various petty tyrants. In this way, the series fosters respect for parents even as it develops independent judgment among the teenagers.

Author

• Elizabeth Amato, Gardner-Webb University