For your post: Choose a song, explain your take on the meaning, look at some of the history behind the song, and the era in which it was sung and written (was the person who wrote the song different from the person who sang it? If so, list both people/groups in the creation of the song). Why was the song written (what was its purpose?)? Then analyze whether or not you believe this song created any political change (or success for a candidate). Why or why not? Did it create change later (was it covered by other artists?)?
The following are suggestions of artists and songs to explore, but you can choose something from your favorite genre of music, so long as it has a political message of some kind (even if its just a commentary on a war, on government power, etc.).
Francis Hopkinson, Seven Songs Dedicated to George Washington
James Hewitt, The Battle of Trenton
George Root, The Battle Cry of Freedom (and other Civil War songs)
Marc Blitzstein, The Cradle Will Rock
Virgil Thomson, The Mother of Us All
Woody Guthrie, This Land Is Your Land
Duke Ellington, Black, Brown, Beige
Irving Berlin, Mr. President
Billie Holiday, Strange Fruit
Aaron Copland, A Lincoln Portrait
Charles Mingus, Fables of Faubus
Various artists, We Shall Overcome
John Cage, Songbooks
Phil Ochs, I Ain't Marching Anymore
Nina Simone, Why? The King of Love is Dead
Anthony Davis, X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X
The Dead Kennedys, Holiday in Cambodia
Prince, Ronnie Talk to Russia
John Adams, Nixon in China; The Death of Klinghoffer
Various artists: No Nukes; Live Aid; Farm Aid
Carla Bley, Looking for America
Laurie Anderson, United States I-IV
Various by Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, etc.
Gil-Scott Heron, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
Ani DiFranco and Utah Philips, various
Steve Earle, Christmas in Washington
A popular sub-genre of political music is the Protest Song. Many of the above are such. Bob Dylan is somewhat famous for these. Green Day released American Idiot in 2004. You could also look at Springsteen and Rage Against the Machine. Again, these are just suggestions, but try to stick to Americans speaking out for or against American politics. Many foreign bands/singers/song writers (Lennon, Morrissey, Bowie) have sung about on our politics, but the causes behind those songs are probably different than the causes behind a native group of people commenting on their own government (and by native, I mean someone who grew up in the United States). Please provide a link to your song, either on youtube or another free site where a classmate could listen to the song. Also, provide links to any sources you used. If you feel confident in your MLA skills, you can include works cited rather than links.
After I read what the topic was about I had to do this song because I love this band and this topic is what they stand for.
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/bE2r7r7VVic
this is where you can watch it.
To me the song is pretty self explanatory because Serj's lyrics pretty much self explanatory. stating 4000 hungry children leave us per hour, From starvation, While billions are spent on bombs, Creating death showers.
the rest of the song "BOOM!" goes on still on how we choose to be the governments puppets and mindlessly obey what they say because were the consumers and they spend all their money on weapons of mass destruction instead of children who are dying every day whether by hunger or murder. It didn't really change any political stand point since the stand point was basically peace but I think on some level we all want a little peace in the world. I don't believe that anyone who is on a major record label has ever covered this song let alone any system of a down song. All the lyrics are all written by vocalist Serj Tankian and bakck up vocalist and guitarest Darron Malaykian. Most of all System of a down's songs if not all of them are about some type of political stand point, whether its propaganda, war, or genocide. All the band grew up in Los Angeles, California, but were born in Various parts of Asia descending from Armenian descent
System Of A Down is an amazing band with large political views,and I believe they do a great job at putting the word out their about genocide and war that a lot of people may not even be aware of.
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ReplyDeleteMy song of choice is "Handlebars," by The Flobots.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first heard this song I really just liked the beat and didn’t really pay attention to the lyrics, as I do with most songs sadly. However, after hearing it a few more times the meaning behind the song really came to me. That you and I as well as all the people of the planet Earth, have the power to be and do whatever we choose.
Jamie Laurie, aka “Johnny 5,” is the founder and singer for Flobots. In his own words he explains his meaning behind the song.
“’The song is about the idea that we have so much incredible potential as human beings to be destructive or to be creative.’ ‘And it's tragic to me that the appetite for military innovation is endless, but when it comes to taking on a project like ending world hunger, it's seen as outlandish. It's not treated with the same seriousness. [...] at the same time, I knew there were people at that moment who were being bombed by our own country. And I thought that was incredibly powerful.’ It is the contrast between these ‘little moments of creativity, these bursts of innovation,’ and the way these ideas are put to use ‘to oppress and destroy people’ that the singer feels is both ‘beautiful and tragic at the same time.’”
While I don’t think Flotbots is after any political power, I do feel they attempt to open the eyes of those who listen to their songs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handlebars_(song) The place I got the quote from the lead singer of "The Flobots."
DeleteHere is other song I really like from them at I feel also have a super deep meaning!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LMj2i5oDOY
Wow, silly me! Didn't post a link to "Handlebars!"
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLUX0y4EptA
I too like the beat and rythm of the song "Handlebars", it's very catchy. However, after reading Johnny Five's motivation and meaning behind the song, I initially felt that he came up a little short in relaying to listeners, as to his intentions in writing the song. Of course most would hear the song first and then find the meaning behind it, I too did the same, so I looked up the lyrics to follow along. The song mentions quite a bit about a lot of things: about injustice, disease, assassinations, that people can make "design an engine to go sixty four miles to a gallon." Due to the alternative rapping style of the song and accompanying music video, as well as its recording in 2005, it is likely that the band took inspiration from the then, ensuing Iraq War. Overall, I think it is catchy, though I miss the no handle bars meaning, unless it is a vague reference to no support needed or independence. What do you think?
DeleteWell normally as a child, riding your bike with no handlebars is quite the achievement. I think they used that as the stepping stone in the song to relate to everyone who listens. To show, that anything is possible once you put your mind to it.
DeleteI was watching the music video last night and realized that the song represents two different mindsets. Those are push themselves for the better, and those who allow power to overpower and corrupt. At the start of the song the two men are friends and in the end, the man who feel victim to greed ends up killing his friend.
Which makes me wonder if the song was trying to say that, its great to push yourself and to achieve new heights. However, you should always care for those around you and never let power overwhelm you.
Which punk song to use, there are so many to choose from, however I'm going to go with a NOFX song and besides this song there are plenty more to pick from on this particular album. The song is "Franco Un-american" and the Album is "War on Errorism." The song itself talks about ignorance of the American people to the problems around them. The song actually tells a story of a person who doesn't care about the world around him or the problems of everybody else, "Your dilemma's are my distractions." Then after reading some information and being exposed to media he "sees" everything, is made aware and tries to make up for his years of ignorance. In essence the person in the song is in fact representing a type of ignorant American, "I don't want to be another I-dont-care-ican."
ReplyDeleteThe album was released in May, 2003 and is devoted to criticizing the president and his policies (George W. Bush at the time) which is clearly shown on the cover with a cartoon clown head of the president and an inside caption stating, "Somewhere in Texas there is a village without its idiot." Along with "Franco Un-American" there are also songs such as "Idiots are taking over" and "Re-gaining Unconsciousness," among others that are politically based. I don't think it changed anything politically, however it may have influenced fans of the band/genre to be more aware of the issues around them.
It was never done by another band, however the song was featured on the punk compilation album "Rock Against Bush Vol. 1." That album being one of two albums supporting the Rock against Bush project. This project of a collaboration of punk bands (started by Fat Mike of NOFX) was to encourage people to register to vote and oppose the re-election of Bush as president. Obviously it didn't have much impact as Bush was re-elected after that.
Music Video on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzpTmcq7nBg
After reading the lyrics the band does bring up the point that Americans can be ignorant to the world around them. I believe that they were trying to bring light issues that affect everyone globally. My main stance on political songs is this, bands and artists bring up issues in there song but rarely do nothing outside of the song to actually help the situation. NOFX seems like they have strong left wing view and base a lot of there songs to oppose George Bush. I think the song brought up a valid point but did not bring any change to the way American Citizens think.
DeleteThere are so many good songs that fit the criteria of this assignment, and it was hard to pick one, but I decided on Eminem's song "Mosh." The song, by American rapper Eminem, was released in October 2004, after the release of the video. The purpose of the song was to encourage more young voters to vote and hopefully vote Bush out of office. According to Wikipedia, the goal of increasing the number of young voters was not met, although the numbers did increase from the year 2000 presidential election. Wikipedia also says that in an Irish interview, Eminem said he wished he had released the video sooner because he thought that might have increased the number of young voters.
ReplyDeleteThe song begins with children reciting "The Pledge of Allegiance," followed by Eminem rapping about American's need to come together to fight for our rights. A lyric of the song says, "Rebel with a rebel yell, raise hell we gonna let em know". When you listen to the lyrics alone, you wouldn't know that Eminem is referring to former President Bush, but if you watch the video, you can tell right away from the (cartoon) references of Bush. Eminem touches on different perspectives of a younger generation, such as a soldier with a family, a young black man who gets stopped by the police, and a single mom who gets an eviction notice. The video shows the struggles they go through, and Eminem raps about how the president has failed the people, mentioning Bin Laden and saying, "How could we allow something like this without pumping our fists"?
Eminem is pretty good at stirring things up, and this song is no exeption. Although Bush was re-elected in 2004, like any other presidential election, there was plenty of controversy to go around. If you wish to view this video, here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox0Q4YIdnGI
In the song you choose by Eminem are alot of unclear statements. I had to listen to sonf two times and link together the pieces of all his lyric. Not until then i realized how seriuos he was in directing his comments towards bush. When he states "strap him with a AK-47 and let him fight his own battle" this ment to me that he was in some words protesting the desert storm was. I think your choice of song was very powerful.
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-cpL--0AQA
ReplyDeleteAbove is the link to the song I choose. I choose the song why by Jadakiss. I choose this song because it made alot of controversy. For example a part of the lyrics said "Why did bush knock down the towers?" meaning that the song writter Jadakiss had an indirect message behind the lyrics. As well as jadakiss goes into more detail of asking why the goverment allows and does not allow certain things. I belive the history behind the song was just a message to people to ask why if they are concerned with our government. Meaning that they should investigate more into what is going on around them. For most viewers if you did not know who Bush was at the current time you would have somewhat drawn a bad repuation about him from Jadakiss song due to some lyrics. As well as a sign that a man is holding up that states in the video that states "BUCK FUSH" a spoonerism to FUCK BUSH.
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ReplyDeleteThe song is "Copperhead Road", by Steve Earle. Released in 1988, Earle paints a scene of his family's involvement in bootlegging in rural America (Johnston County is mentioned, as is Knoxville). Upon returning from Vietnam, the character in the song (John Lee Pettimore), states "take the seed from Colombia and Mexico", a reference of his intention to change the family business from moonshine, to marijuana. The remainder of the song hints at a dream in which Pettimore believes the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is on to his business, and he threatens to use the skills he learned from "Charlie" (referencing the name given to Communist forces in the Vietnam Conflict), on those who would venture down Copperhead Road; likely indicating Pettimore's abilities to set booby traps, etc., and engage those trespassing (likely law enforcement officers), in guerilla warfare.
ReplyDeleteIn limited research, the song did not create much movement for pro-marijuana or pro-moonshining efforts in the USA at the time. This was likely due to President Reagan’s bolstering of the War on Drugs campaign, first introduced by President Nixon. Among other things, the bolstering in the mid to late 1980s, led to mandatory sentences for habitual drug offenders. However, it was one of Earle’s first songs, and like most of his songs, was politically charged. Earle is particularly known for his condemnation of US Government policies and the negative public perception toward returning Vietnam veterans. Earle is also critical of the US Government’s draft during the Vietnam Conflict, a technique Pettimore (the protagonist in “Copperhead Road”), states as “they draft the white trash first,‘round here anyway.”
Links to the song and lyrics can be found below:
Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvaEJzoaYZk
Lyrics: http://www.steveearle.net/lyrics/ly-coppe.php#copperheadroad
I like this song and have heard it many times, however I have also never actually read the lyrics or listened to the meaning. (I believe learning the dance is somewhere on my bucket list - somewhere near the bottom - right around taking over Canada with pitchforks and my army of knife wielding monkeys) Everything you listed above seems spot on to me as to what he was saying. I would also add that throughout the song Copperhead Road becomes synonymous with death with the accounts of his father and grandfather. "He never came back from Copperhead Road" and "You could smell the whiskey burnin' down Copperhead Road". So the "You better stay away from Copperhead Road," while yes, using techniques he learned from "Charlie," is him basically saying death awaits you if you try to go down Copperhead Road.
DeleteI like this song too, it's very catchy. And I, like you, never read the lyrics until recently. It's usually playing in a country bar somewhere with folks like yourself trying to learn the dance and sip Bud Lite (you might not drink Bud Lite though). I agree, Copperhead Road has become practically synonymous with death. As you point out "he never came back from Copperhead Road", he was referring to the "taxman" of course. It is interesting to think that most people happily dance to the tune, not knowing what the words are and the meaning behind them, I'll never listen to the song the same way again.
DeleteThe song "Holiday in Cambodia," by the Dead Kennedy outline the rule of Pol Pot on the Cambodian people. The artists describe the difficult life of the Cambodian People under the rule of Pol Pot, a Cambodian Communist Revolutionary, during 1963 through 1981. The band describes how the American People are spoiled in comparison to the Cambodian People. The song relays the message that we should not take things for granted because had we had a different leader or lived in another country we would not have some of the freedoms that we are allowed as citizens of the United States. I feel that this song may have brought light to some issues but I do not think that it brought any change to the way American Citizens think. I think that there are a lot of bands that bring to light political issues but I do not really take them seriously because I have never seen a band sing about something they "cared" about and then followed up by personally helping to resolve the issue. Like I said I believe that this song as well as the other political songs are good at bringing to light a certain issue but it is up to us as an educated person to do our own research and make our own decisions.
ReplyDeleteLyrics and Video found here:
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KTsXHXMkJA