Song Analysis 3

"Janis Joplin Hands" by Socratic

Songs with social and/or political messages;

1.) "No Shelter" by Rage Against the Machine

The main attraction - distraction

got ya number than number than numb

Empty ya pockets son; they got you thinkin that

What ya need is what they sellin

Make you think that buyin is rebellin

From the theaters to malls on every shore

The thin line between entertainment and war

The frontline is everywhere, there be no shelter here

Speilberg the nightmare works so push it far

Amistad was a whip, the truth was feathered and tarred

Memory erased, burned and scarred

Trade in ya history for a VCR

Cinema, simulated life, ill drama

Fourth Reich culture - Americana

Chained to the dream they got ya searchin for

The thin line between entertainment and war

There be no shelter here

The frontline is everywhere

Hospitals not profit full

Yet market bulls got pockets full

To advertise some hip disguise

View the world from American eyes

The poor adore keep fiendin for more

The thin line between entertainment and war

They fix the need, develop the taste

Buy their products or get laid to waste

Coca-Cola is back in the veins of Saigon

And Rambo too, he got a dope pair of Nikes on

And Godzilla pure mothaf***** filler

To keep ya eyes off the real killer

Cinema, simulated life, ill drama

Fourth Reich culture - Americana

Chained to the dream they got ya searchin for

The thin line between entertainment and war

American eyes, American eyes....

View the world from American eyes

Bury the past, rob us blind

And leave nothin behind

Just stare

Relive the nightmare.

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Analysis- I think that the overall main idea with this song is about the government and American views of money. The first few lines are pertaining to the world of advertising and buying and selling. It talks about how we are pulled in by ads and we are so convinced that we need this and that. In reality we don't need any of it. The sales world has a way of making you think that you need the newest of all things. "The thin line between entertainment and war." All America cares about nowadays is money and worth. Money buys happiness. We become so consumed in the media that we think more about other people's lives and every day things that we seem to forget who we were and where we came from. Our past is in the past and we drown out any memories through entertianment. Money buys happiness. The goverment makes you think that buying this item and that item it will make us happier. In reality, with or without it we are still the same. Sure it may make us happier at the time, maybe a few days, maybe even a few months. However as time goes by you won't remember how that item made you feel because there will be a newer and better something to hold you over. "The front line is everywhere." That phrase is repeated multiple times throughout the song. It's like an equation. If entertianment is like war, then what is the frontline? The answer is simple. The frontline is the media. You cannot escape the media no matter how hard you try. Everywhere you turn the people of America are drowning themselves in the media and it runs their lives.

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2.) "Ran Away to the Top of The World Today" by O.A.R.

I don't know nothing, i don't know a thing

But if i just keep on listening, together we'll sing

I've been walking for about a thousand years

And my feet are tired of crying all those painful tears

And my sight is going blind and my soul is way down low

But i haven't seen a thing, so that's all i can know

I said cause i don't know nothing, i don't know a thing

But if i just keep on listening, together we'll sing

I've been drinking to drown away my tears

And i'm sick of all the violence and i'm sick of all the fears

But i'm moving down the road, true i'm moving kind of slow

But i haven't heard a thing, so that's all i can know

Said cause i don't know nothing, ya'll don't know a thing

But if we just keep on listening, together we'll sing

I don't think that it's going that good today

I can't take my eyes off of the rain

And everybody's running away

Well i don't think that it's going that good today

Can't take my eyes off of the rain

And everybody's running away

I ran away to the top of the world today

I've been crying and losing lots of sleep

Cause the roads are getting longer

Winter snows come kinda deep

But i still will move along

And i still can feel the sun

And i see or hear a thing

And i'll break into a run

Said cause i don't know nothing, ya'll don't know a thing

But if we just keep on listening, together we'll sing

I don't think that it's going that good today

I can't take my eyes off of the rain

And everybody's going insane

Well i don't think that it's going that good today

I can't take my eyes off of the rain

Everybody's running away

I ran away to the top of the world today

I ran away to the top of the world today

Ran away top of the world today

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Analysis- Overall, this song is about trying to drown out and ignore the pain that has been going on in his life. In my opinion I feel as if he is referring to that in the media and/or that in which he sees on a daily basis. In a way whoever the narrator is seems like a total mess. He describes his feet being tired from carrying all of his tears. Also, whatever he has been going through is making him feel like he is a "thousand" years old. This seems as if he can't get away from the bad and it is just eating at him and breaking him down. The phrase that keeps being repeated is "I don't know nothing, I don't know a thing, but if i keep on listening, together we'll sing." He feels that while alone in this battle, he feels worthless and ignorant. He knows nothing at all. However with people in the same situation surround him, he feels better about it and knows he is not alone. He also feels that if they stick together they will all "sing", or make it together. His tactics for trying to rid himself of his pain is through alcohol. The violence and fears get to him so much that he's at the point where he is having a hard time sleeping and now he wants to leave. Slowly he is making his way out of this mess. He also feels that as he moves slowly down the "roads", these roads are getting longer and longer as he goes. By saying ******************************************************

Imagery;

1.) "Revolution Blues" by Neil Young

Well, we live in a trailer

at the edge of town

You never see us

'cause we don't come around.

We got twenty five rifles

just to keep the population down.

But we need you now,

and that's whyI'm hangin' 'round.

So you be good to me

and I'll be good to you,

And in this land of conditions

I'm not above suspicion

I won't attack you,

but I won't back you.

Well, it's so good to be here,

asleep on your lawn.

Remember your guard dog?

Well, I'm afraid that he's gone.

It was such a drag to hear him whining all night long.

Yes, that was me with the doves,

setting them free near the factory

Where you built your computer, love.

I hope you get the connection,

'cause I can't take the rejection

I won't deceive you,

I just don't believe you.

Well, I'm a barrel of laughs, with my carbine on

I keep 'em hoppin', till my ammunition's gone.

But I'm still not happy, I feel like there's something wrong.

I got the revolution blues,

I see bloody fountains,

And ten million dune buggies comin' down the mountains.

Well, I hear that Laurel Canyonis full of famous stars,

But I hate them worse than lepers and I'll kill them in their cars.

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Analysis- Overall the use of imagery found in this song is very good. To fully understand the meaning and what was going on I found myself reading the song over and over again. The entire song is about war. The beginning of the song sets that tone for you. It describes where the soldiers live off in their own section, but still near the enemy civilians. The narrator is asking them if they can me mutual. He isn't necessarily asking for help from them, but he asks that he be "good" to them. The narrator also goes on to say that he does not trust anyone and that no one is safe from his suspicion.

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2.) "War Song" by O.A.R.

Oh my God, tell me this won't last forever

Tell me that I'm not alone

Tell me this will come together now

Packed my thing up just the other day

Said my goodbyes to all these things I've saved

Out in the driveway, we laugh under the moon

Among my friends for now, but I'll be leaving soon

Many days from now, I'm sure

I'll be back among your graces

And with you I won't pretend

No, not at all

Crack the morning

Up and running quick

No sleep again last night but that's the way it is

Out in the open under broken skies

I feel every footstep

I see everybody's eyes

Oh and this is summer in another world

Far from the driveway and my baby girl

Soon comes the winter

With it quiet nights

Darker days and darker fights

But many days from now, I'm sure

I'll be back among your faces

And with you I won't pretend

No, not at all

Oh the fever is burning

Over at midnight but never like this

Hot under their fire

The stars are all falling but never like this

I hope you never see this

Wait, wait for my love

Don't forget me, never let me go

If you wait, wait for my love

I'll remember, never let you go

Until I'm fine, fine, fine

Until I'm fine, fine, fine

To be back in my room

I have the same dream every night

Just me among my things

No one else is there

There's no one left to fight

Just me among my things

Many nights from now, I know

I'll be back among your graces

Until then I'll just pretend

That I'm not cold

Oh my God, tell me this won't last forever

Tell me that I'm not alone

Tell me this will come together

Oh my God, you know

Wait, wait for my love

Don't forget me, never let me down

And just wait, wait for my love

I'll remember, every one of you

Just wait, wait for my love

Until I'm fine, fine, fine

Until I'm fine, fine, fine

I'll be fine, fine, fine

I'll be fine, fine, fine

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Analysis-

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REPETITION OF WORDS AND PHRASES;

1.) ANAPHORA-
"King Without a Crown" by Matisyahu

I say you're all that I have and you're all that I need
Each and every day I pray to get to know you please
Wanna be close to you, yes I'm so hungry
You're like water for my soul when it gets thirsty
Without you there's no me
You're the air that I breathe
Sometimes the world is dark and I just can't see
With these, demons surround all around to bring me down to negativity
But I believe, yes I believe, I said I believe
I'll stand on my own two feet
Won't be brought down on one knee
I'll fight with all of my mind and get these demons to flee
Hashem raise fire blaze burn bright in agony
Hashem's raise thy blaze burn bright and I believe
Out of darkness comes light, twilight unto the heights
Crown Heights your burnin' up all through the twilight
Said, thank you to my God, now I finally got it right
And I'll fight with all of my heart, and all a' my soul, and all a' my mind

So what's this feeling?
My love could rip a hole through the ceiling
I give myself to you from the essence of my being and
I sing to my god these songs of love and healing
I Want Mashiach now so it's time we start revealing
What's this feeling?

Me no want no sinsemilla.
That would only bring me down
Burn away my brain no way my brain is too compound
Elevated my soul purifiying my sound
Like the sun of a sun ray burning up through a cloud
Torah food for my brain let it rain till I drown
Thunder!
Let the blessings come down
Torah food for my brain let it rain till I drown

Strip away the layers and reveal your soul give yourself up and then you become whole
You're a slave to yourself and you don't even know
You want to live the fast life but your brain moves slow
If you're trying to stay high then you're bound to stay low
You want God but you couldn't deflate your ego
If you're already there then there's nowhere to go if you're cup's already full then its bound to overflow
Drownin up in the water's and you can't stay afloat
Ask Haschem for mercy and he'll throw you a rope
You're looking for help from God you say he couldn't be found
Looking up to the sky and searching beneath the ground like a king without his crown
Yes I wanna get down, like a king without his crown yes I keep falling down,
You really want to live but can't get rid of your frown..
Tried to reach unto the heights and wound bound under the ground

What's this feeling?
My love will rip a hole in the ceiling
I give myself to you from the essence of my being
I sing to my God all these songs of love and healing
I want Mashiach now so it's time we start revealing

Reelin' him in
Where ya been
Where ya been
Where ya been for so long
It's hard to stay strong I been livin' in galus (exile) for a life too long
Where ya been,
Where ya been for so long

What's this feeling?
My love will rip a hole through the ceiling
I give myself to you from the essence of my being and
I sing to my God all these songs of love and healing
Want Mashiach now so it's time we start revealing

What's this feeling?
My love will rip a hole in the ceiling
I give myself to you from the essence of my being and
I sing to my God all these songs of love and healing
Want Mashiach now so it's time we start revealing

Reelin' him in
Where ya been
Where ya been
Reelin' him in
Where ya been for so long

Where ya been for so long
It's hard to stay strong been livin' in galus (exile) for

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Analysis-
At the very end of the song, there is the repetition of the phrase "where ya been" and it is being asked to whomever Matisyahu is addressing. Throughout the entire song, he is confessing and describing his intense love for somebody. The tone is almost a pleading because when he asks where have you been, he follows it with how it's hard for him to stay strong because he's been living in conclusion for so long. He has grown lonely and needs the person back in his life to bring him back to normalcy.

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Songs with similes;

1.) "I'm Like a Bird" by Nelly Furtado

You're beautiful, that's for sure

You'll never ever fade

You're lovely but it's not for sure

That I won't ever change

And though my love is rare

Though my love is true

I'm like a bird,

I'll only fly away

I don't know where my soul is,

I don't know where my home is (and baby all I need for you to know is)

I'm like a bird,

I'll only fly away

I don't know where my soul is,

I don't know where my home is

All I need for you to know is

Your faith in me brings me to tears

Even after all these years

And it pains me so much to tell

That you don't know me that well

And though my love is rare

Though my love is true

It's not that I wanna say goodbye

It's just that every time you try to tell me that you love me

Each and every single day I know

I'm going to have to eventually give you away

And though my love is rare

And though my love is true

Hey I'm just scared

That we may fall through

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Analysis- The meaning behind this song is very indepth. Nelly is using the simile "I'm like a bird" to describe herself when she is romantically involved with somebody. Though she knows what she has to offer is good and rare she still tends to run away, or fly, in fear of everything good falling through. Without "like" the song would be saying "I'm a bird" which is not true; it is impossible to be a human and a bird at the same time. Birds are a commonly used example to describe a gypsie-like lifestyle. When things get good, the person leaves before it can get bad; they make a fast escape.(Fly.)

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Metaphors Vs. Similes Comparison Reflection;

In almost every song out there, there are different forms of literary devices that are used. Whether it's repeated throughout the entire song or just simply stated once, it has an effect on the overall meaning of the song.
With similies: In a song such as "I'm Like a Bird", if there wasn't "like" in the chorus, it would read "I'm a bird, I only fly away". However, with the simile Nelly Furtado is describing how she feels. She feels as if no matter where she is or who she's with, she never knows for sure where she truely belongs. Without "like" she would be stating that she was a bird, which she isn't and you would not be able to see that she is trying to describe that she knows that someone as pure and true as her may be rare and she truely does love whoever the song is to, but she can't promise she's not going to change.

Songs with Metaphors;

1.) "Revolution Cry" by Soldiers of Jah Army
"For so long I feel

As if I'm not a part of this world.

For all of it's representatives

Are so secretive.

So far, there's very little love,

And an abundance of hatred.

Now is this the legacy I leave for my children?

When they think that it's

Peace and safety,

That's when you know

It's a sudden destruction.

Living in Rome there is no security

One God, One Aim, (move forward) One Destiny.

Revolution Cry

No, Jah will never forsake I

Freedom isn't freedom if you force it

And peace achieved through war

Is no peace.

Equality don't mean nothing

If you fake it, and we already know

More than they believe.

How many of us feel superior

To others in some part of our lives

See, man has always strived

To be the better, and from his brothers

His true feelings hide.

Revolution"

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Analysis- The first line in this song is an example of a metaphor. He is not literally not a part of the world, yet at times he feels like he isn't because he is different from others and often may feel invisible. He describes how everyone only knows how to hate and not enough people know how to love. Children only know what they are taught so if they grow up in a hateful household, they may not know how to love. Also, it goes on to say how people do things to make other people feel small so that they themselves feel superior. However, deep down, everyone thinks the same things, but are too afraid of what others will think.

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2.) Won't Get Fooled Again" by the Who
"And the world looks just the same

And history ain't changed

'Cause the banners, they all flown in the last war

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution

Take a bow for the new revolution

Smile and grin at the change all around me

Pick up my guitar and play

Just like yesterday

No, no!

I'll move myself and my family aside

If we happen to be left half alive

I'll get all my papers and smile at the sky

For I know that the hypnotized never lie

Do ya?

Yaaaa!

There's nothing in the street

Looks any different to me

And the slogans are replaced, by-the-bye

And the parting on the left

Is now the parting on the right

And the beards have all grown longer overnight

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution

Take a bow for the new revolution

Smile and grin at the change all around me

Pick up my guitar and play

Just like yesterday

Then I'll get on my knees and pray

We don't get fooled again

Don't get fooled again

No, no!

Yaaaa!

Meet the new boss

Same as the old boss"
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Analysis: When I first read through this song I couldn't find any metaphors. However, then the last lines hit me. "Meet the new boss; same as the old boss". Boss is referring to the president. The song is saying how each election, new faces come in promising different things and judging the past president and many often see it as good if we too do not like the president. However, this song is saying that just because he have a new president and he throws all of these ideas out there that doesn't mean he actually will. In the end, they are all the same and they just say whatever it takes to rope you in.
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Song Analysis; "Get Up, Stand Up" by Bob Marley

"Get Up, Stand Up" by Bob Marley

Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!
Preacherman, don't tell me,
Heaven is under the earth.
I know you dont know
What life is really worth.
It's not all that glitters is gold;
Half the story has never been told:
So now you see the light, eh!
Stand up for your rights. come on!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!
Most people think,
Great God will come from the skies,
Take away everything
And make everybody feel high.
But if you know what life is worth,
You will look for yours on earth:
And now you see the light,
You stand up for your rights.
Get up, stand up!
Stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up!
Don't give up the fight! (life is your right!)
Get up, stand up! (so we can't give up the fight!)
Stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up! (keep on struggling on!)
Don't give up the fight!
We sick an tired of your ism-skism game
Dying and going to heaven in a jesus name, lord.
We know when we understand:
Almighty God is a living man.
You can fool some people sometimes,
But you can't fool all the people all the time.
So now we see the light (what you gonna do? ),
We gonna stand up for our rights!
So you better:
Get up, stand up! (in the morning! git it up!)
Stand up for your rights! (stand up for our rights!)
Get up, stand up!
Don't give up the fight! (don't give it up, don't give it up!)
Get up, stand up!
Stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up!
Don't give up the fight!
Get up, stand up!
Stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up!
Don't give up the fight!
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Analysis:
Throughout, "Get Up, Stand Up" by Bob Marley, there are a lot of references to religious views. The same chorus is repeated before and after the three different verses in this song. The entire song, overall, talks about how people need to stand up for what THEY think and believe instead of feeing into what leaders want to be believed. Without own thoughts and mind, the world would be made up of a bunch of clones. All sense of individuality would be lost. The chorus is just the same line repeated multiple times. "Get up, stand up; stand up for your rights". That chant-like chorus is telling its listener that it's time to do something about your rights. Instead of sitting back and watching what's going on around them, it's time that they basically put their foot down to whatever corrupt and absurd things may be going on. In verse 1, Bob Marley refers to "preacher man." He is saying don't tell people what is supposed to be believed; that leads to false hope. "I know you don't know"; that line is basically calling out all religious leaders and preachers. No one knows for sure what happens when you see the "light", but it's time to stop trying to get people out there to believe the lies. These preachers tell of the things that they were told and fed from the corrupt leaders of America. Bob Marley is almost trying to make them rethink what they have been forcing feeding listeners; do they really know what happens? So, then how can they so confidently sit there and read line after line and verse after verse. No matter how in-depth they try to make it, it is still false. It’s time everyone realizes it as well. Verse 2 refers a lot to a famous Christian belief. That is that God will come down from the heavens and take everyone that believes in Him back to heaven to let them feel their eternal happiness and high. Also, if we are “good” in this life, then and only then, we can go to heaven and live forever there. However, if we go against what our leaders tell us then we are not being good and will in turn go to hell. However, Bob Marley is saying that everyone needs to stop waiting around for that and find real happiness here on earth. He seems to be sick of people who don’t live for today. The people that take life and all it has to offer for granted and that don’t realize the gift of life itself. Bob Marley wants everyone to stop listening to corrupt people and find their own way. Also, the word "jah" that is repeated in this song means God in Rastafarian culture. There has been known to be an ongoing “calling out” between Christian Church and Roman Catholicism and Rastafarians and Marley himself. In the song when he refers to have of a story having never been told refers to slavery and Maccabean history. Bob Marley, like many, discourage how the corrupt government only gives out the information they want us to have and the rest will be hidden from us. Marley could be seen as a rebel because he willingly calls them out and asks that others do the same. A line in the song also says that “But if you know what life is worth, you will look for yours on earth; and now you see the light.” This means that if you know the real beauty in life and in things around you and how priceless and special they are, then you would find your happiness here. This is much better than just waiting to die for your so called eternal happiness in heaven.

Narrative Song; "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" by Tracy Chapman

"Talkin Bout a Revolution" by Tracy Chapman

Dont you know

Theyre talkin bout a revolution

It sounds like a whisper

Dont you know

Theyre talkin about a revolution

It sounds like a whisper

While theyre standing in the welfare lines

Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation

Wasting time in the unemployment lines

Sitting around waiting for a promotion

Poor people gonna rise up

And get their share

Poor people gonna rise up

And take whats theirs

Dont you know

You better run, run, run...

Oh I said you better

Run, run, run...

Finally the tables are starting to turn

Talkin bout a revolution

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Analysis: It starts off with the chorus, but in the context it almost seems like a forshadow of the song. The song is asking the listener if they know that what is being whispered about is a revolution. The verse that follows talks about where the different people who are struggling are talking about this so called revolution. (Ex. "Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation.") The bridge, which follows the verse, goes on to say that all of the poor people are basically going to stand up and fight for what is theirs and what they deserve. Then the next few lines, which i assume are to the goverment and people involved strongly with the ways of the economy, it says repeatadely "you better run, run, run...." The last line of the song is saying that a revolution has already begun, everyone be ready.