That one huge anti-Iraq rally (the global one, had I think over 200k out in Sydney, not far behind in Melbourne and very large numbers in other cities) did change Howard... in a way. I remember that evening he gave what was for him a very shaky interview - confidence obviously shot a bit ("oh shit, a lot of people evidently
don't listen to Alan Jones"), and from then they changed the push from "WMD and Terrorism Reasons" to "Humanitarian Reasons".
I think - mentioning both "Same Love" and U2 - there are two trends in there that have an impact. Music in general (ie what is popular) is far more consistently feel good and escapist these days than ever before. Whether it's political or personal, there's just less 'angry' or 'negative' music out there. I think people look to it more as escapism, look at all the electro and shitty folky happy stuff. Right up until the turn of the century it was different, all the way through the 90s, whether it was political rock or hip-hop, or even the really cynical side of brit-pop. Kind of blew itself out when angry-dumb-white-suburban-kid had his day with things like Limp Bizkit ("fuck you because, umm, SUCK MY DICK!"). I don't know, it kind of just went away and now everything is sunshine and dancing and campfires and pretty girls and fun drugs and all the music is pastel coloured. Feel good songs, feel good feelings - and so like "Same Love" if it is somewhat political, it's about being pro something rather than anti something.
The other side of it maybe is where U2 comes in, or more specifically Bono, and just the general change in attitude toward 'celebrity' campaigning and protest, and perhaps the general distaste for that has moved over to accepted music/band themes as well. Actors in the UN, singers at Davos - everyone is a bit sick of it, and that "shut up and sing" attitude probably extends a bit. Make me happy, make me dance, take me away from this shitty bus ride to my shitty job on a shitty Monday morning and make me think of nice places and things. Re-enforce my good feelings about myself and my social feelings and political beliefs, don't tell me how I should be doing more or better. And don't lecture me about things like inequality when you're a tax dodging gazillionnaire, get back on your private jet, fly home and make me some feel good songs about love'n'shit with more of that echoey uplifting guitar and stuff