Friday, May 15, 2009

Song Analysis 3


"Janis Joplin Hands" by Socratic

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

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.
*******************************************************
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.
*******************************************************
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
*******************************************************
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 ******************************************************

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

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.
*******************************************************
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.
*******************************************************
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
*******************************************************
Analysis-
*******************************************************

Monday, March 9, 2009

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

*********************************************************

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.
*********************************************************

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

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
***********************************************
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.)
***********************************************

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.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

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"
********************************************
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.
********************************************
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"
********************************************
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.
********************************************

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

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!
****************************************************************
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
******************************************
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.