A qualitative analysis of individual and social responsibilities in the context of Barış Manço songs

Barış Manço's song "Ahmet Bey's Jacket" presents a deep story that questions individual and social responsibilities. This thesis analyzes the concept of responsibility in two main dimensions through this song: personal and social. Ahmet Bey, the song's main character, questions his relationships with the people around him and the value they place on him through a jacket. The apparent material value of the coat symbolizes how individuals perceive their responsibilities towards themselves and others. Ahmet Bey's jacket reveals how society acts with superficial value judgments and how individuals become dependent on these judgments. While individual responsibility is associated with self-awareness, self-esteem, and the search for values, social responsibility is explained in duties and expectations towards others. The song questions the individual's place in society while addressing how culture shapes the individual. In this context, how individual and social responsibilities, which are frequently found in Manço's art, affect the listeners is discussed. The study aims to explore individuals' contributions to their individual and social responsibilities through song. The effect of Manço's song "Ahmet Bey'in Ceketi," which has a deep story questioning individual and social responsibilities, on the listeners' awareness of their individual and social responsibilities was determined through the focus group method. The research findings reveal that the songs with the theme of individual and social responsibility in Manço's art created awareness among the listeners, positively affected their thoughts about fulfilling these responsibilities, and shaped their attitudes. It also shows that these songs, which users listen to without compulsion, contribute positively to their individual and social responsibilities.