This week I am thinking about music and history and wondering if you could share with all of us one song in particular that strikes you as relevant for what you feel like you are learning. Of course it doesn’t have to be related to the times exactly, but perhaps appropriate for the feelings, thoughts, and ideas you’ve generated as a result of what we have been studying. What song captures what you’re thinking about in relationship to history? Ideally I’d like to play each of your songs before we officially begin class – so find a way to make that happen. Make a hard copy of the song, post a link (for a youtube video or an mp3 track) as you comment – find a way.
In terms of what to write this week – I want you to write about your song. Tell us why you selected it and why it matters to you. Make connections to what you are learning. And, as usual, comment on someone else’s ideas.
Please don’t save this for the weekend. I’d like to see the majority of you do this before Friday. Let’s all get online at some point Thursday night so we have time to listen and respond thoughtfully.
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31 comments:
The first song that came to my mind is one that really illustrates the world's problems .It describes many world affairs and questions where is the love:
The song i called Where is the love by the black eyed peas.
The lyrics are below
[What's wrong with the world, mama
People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin'
In the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all
People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love
It just ain't the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
Nations droppin' bombs
Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
With ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin'
in
Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all
People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love
I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin'
Selfishness got us followin' our wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead in spreading love we spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found
Now ask yourself
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek
Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
This song was published in 2003 however i stil find it relevant in that in speaks of multiple situations where it is easily seen that there is no love in our world.
The lyrics are rather self explanaotry and all the verses prove to be very important.
This song seems more relevant to current issues, however it can be applied to historical events. For example:
The holocaust, Crusades, Spanish Inquisition, and many more cruel times...
Not to mention any War is an example of hatred and lack of love
It's funny because I was just listening to this song as I signed on to read the assignment. What can be more relevant to our reading of America's war of independence then Bob Marley's "Get Up Stand up"? I think it directly reflects the perseverence and toughness of the AMerican rebels...
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: dont give up the fight!
Preacherman, dont tell me,
Heaven is under the earth.
I know you dont know
What life is really worth.
Its not all that glitters is gold;
alf 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: dont give up the fight!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: dont 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. jah!
Get up, stand up! (jah, jah!)
Stand up for your rights! (oh-hoo!)
Get up, stand up! (get up, stand up!)
Dont give up the fight! (life is your right!)
Get up, stand up! (so we cant give up the fight!)
Stand up for your rights! (lord, lord!)
Get up, stand up! (keep on struggling on!)
Dont give up the fight! (yeah!)
We sick an tired of-a your ism-skism game -
Dyin n goin 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 cant fool all the people all the time.
So now we see the light (what you gonna do? ),
We gonna stand up for our rights! (yeah, yeah, yeah!)
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!
Dont give up the fight! (dont give it up, dont give it up!)
Get up, stand up! (get up, stand up!)
Stand up for your rights! (get up, stand up!)
Get up, stand up! ( ... )
Dont give up the fight! (get up, stand up!)
Get up, stand up! ( ... )
Stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up!
Dont give up the fight! /fadeout/
The colonists literally "got up and stood up" to fight for their right to live, and to live the way they wanted to live. They felt like something needed to be done, and they took care of the problem by fighting for what they truly believed in, just like Marley is articulating throughout the chorus of this song. Personally i think the song inspires me to fight and persevere against any challenges that come in my way, but i just think its remarkable how releveant this song is to what we are currently studying in class and how the ideas of the colonists still are expressed strongly through Marley's music.
When I think of history related songs I actually think of songs when the artist speaks how he feels about something happening in the current time. There are many songs that show this such as Mosh by Eminem, katrina Clap by Mos Def, or Why by Jadakiss. In these songstehy talk about the war in Iraq, Hurrican KAtrina and the aftermath, and just overall corruption and questionable things in mordern day life. However this is more like present day history. But songs about our colonial history or history of that era is more about tenacity and perseverance. Such songs like Tupacs Keep your Head up ...even though it relates to the struggles of the ghetto he raps about fighting through these struggles and overcoming themand similar in a song by Nas titled, Surviving the Times
Cary i love the Bob Marley...its a great song and come to think about it it does actually work.
Ya i always find it interesting that there is such a range of songs that illustrate many of the evils in the world and how these artists attempt to hel the world by spreading their ideas through songs. My point is that you can find these sorts of songs anywhere, let it be country, rap, rock or any type of song, there will always be artists portraying there feelings through songs. And i feel that this has become a very effective way.
WOW, what a great subject! I have a couple of songs that I want to post, so I'll give them out in link form rather than post nine acres of lyrics.
I'd first like to point to "Waiting on the World to Change" by John Mayer.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=HXWXQeHCWpo
To me, this song epitomizes the feelings of many young people today: we want to make a difference and we want things to change, but we feel as though no one will listen anyway, and that ultimately our opinions, criticisms, and suggestions will only fall on deaf ears because somebody, somewhere, has the government, the media, or the press under their thumb. I know that some people write off our generation as lazy or careless. They say we're not willing to work for anything because we "expect instant gratification." Even one of my teachers said that last year to one of my classes. I think it's important for people to understand that youth today feels hopeless, and it's important for the youth of today to realize that they can make a difference.
Second comes a song called "Universal Soldier." It's an older song, but (perhaps sadly) I don't believe it will ever lose its relevance.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=aXUOU94f28M&mode=related&search=
This song has the strange quality of uniting mankind and saying that we are all the same regardless of nationality, religion, etc, yet unites us through the main source of division: war. It is a song that gives one two distinct different views of war: on the one hand, it is a terrible thing no matter whom the perpetrator is, and it is a great taker of lives, but on the other hand, it is something that most of the "triumphant" figures in history (such as Caesar) have stood upon. Can it be said that war is solely good or bad? Ultimately, regardless of whether a war is justified or not, we will someday hopefully understand that peace is always the more enlightened descision.
(I personally like Buffy Sainte-Marie's rendition of this song, but I know there are others. I encourage people to listen to "Now that the Buffalo's Gone" by Buffy Sainte-Marie as well.)
I would post something about Green Day's "American Idiot" CD, but that's pretty self-explanatary.
Music, to me, is very personal, and a big part of my life. I'm so glad we got to discuss this topic.
One of my very favorite Bob Marley songs (I am a big fan) that discusses history is Buffalo Soldier. Here are the lyrics:
Buffalo Soldier, Dreadlock Rasta:
There was a Buffalo Soldier in the heart of America,
Stolen from Africa, brought to America,
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival.
I mean it, when I analyze the stench -
To me it makes a lot of sense:
How the Dreadlock Rasta was the Buffalo Soldier,
And he was taken from Africa, brought to America,
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival.
Said he was a Buffalo Soldier, Dreadlock Rasta -
Buffalo Soldier in the heart of America.
If you know your history,
Then you would know where you coming from,
Then you wouldn't have to ask me,
Who the 'eck do I think I am.
I'm just a Buffalo Soldier in the heart of America,
Stolen from Africa, brought to America,
Said he was fighting on arrival, fighting for survival;
Said he was a Buffalo Soldier win the war for America.
Dreadie, woy yoy yoy, woy yoy-yoy yoy,
Woy yoy yoy yoy, yoy yoy-yoy yoy!
Woy yoy yoy, woy yoy-yoy yoy,
Woy yoy yoy yoy, yoy yoy-yoy yoy!
Buffalo Soldier troddin' through the land, wo-ho-ooh!
Said he wanna ran, then you wanna hand,
Troddin' through the land, yea-hea, yea-ea.
Said he was a Buffalo Soldier win the war for America;
Buffalo Soldier, Dreadlock Rasta,
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival;
Driven from the mainland to the heart of the Caribbean.
Singing, woy yoy yoy, woy yoy-yoy yoy,
Woy yoy yoy yoy, yoy yoy-yoy yoy!
Woy yoy yoy, woy yoy-yoy yoy,
Woy yoy yoy yoy, yoy yoy-yoy yoy!
Troddin' through San Juan in the arms of America;
Troddin' through Jamaica, a Buffalo Soldier# -
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival:
Buffalo Soldier, Dreadlock Rasta.
Woy yoy yoy, woy yoy-yoy yoy,
Woy yoy yoy yoy, yoy yoy-yoy yoy!
Woy yoy yoy, woy yoy-yoy yoy,
Woy yoy yoy yoy, yoy yoy-yoy yoy! [fadeout]
The lyrics say it all. This song is about a man stolen from Africa on his way to the Americas to become a slave. Although the song doesn't have a lot of details, the beat together with Bob Marley's voice make the theme very clear. I personally like the emition of a lot of details because it allows the listener to imagine the horrific occurances. LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS SONG!!!!! (even though it makes me really sad)
Cary, It's funny that we both chose Bob Marley!
I really like this idea of linking music with history. I think that artist's views are very widespread and can relate in many ways to the idea of revolution. One of the first songs that came to my head was Revolution by the Beatles. Although this seems like an obvious choice, I think it really shows the views of people who want a change. This song does have to do purely with the 60s but it's always possible to relate more recent American history to the founding of the United States. Revolution really describes the feelings of wanting to be free, how all the people may not agree but in the end, everything works out. This isn't true for all revolutions; however, for us this idea that everything will be allright in the end really came true.
Lyrics to Revolution:
You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
all right, all right
You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We're doing what we can
But when you want money
for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is brother you have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
all right, all right
Ah
ah, ah, ah, ah, ah...
You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well, you know
You better free you mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
all right, all right
all right, all right, all right
all right, all right, all right
Claire Soley
Since we just read about the bill of rights, i thought "express yourself" by n.w.a. was somewhat relevant. the song focuses on the freedom of speech and expression and how radio censorship puts constraints on rappers. I always thought the fcc was a pain in the butt but i never thought about censorship as a violation of the constitution. I also thought of "won't get fooled again" by the Who. This song is about a revolution. In the beginning theres an uprising, in the middle they overthrow the power, and in the end the new power is just like the old one. I thought this was especially relevant to the war in iraq and vietnam. Vietnam was an expensive, unnecessary war, but now were doing something similar in iraq. you'd think we wouldn't get fooled again but bush is just kinda stupid.
I picked don't stop believin by journey because at the start of the American revolution, the Americans were severely outnumbered and seemed destined to fail. The Americans never stopped believing and eventually they win their freedom.
Slave Driver by Bob Marley.
Ooh-ooh-oo-ooh. Oo-oo-ooh! Oo-oo-ooh.
Slave driver, the table is turn; (catch a fire)
Catch a fire, so you can get burn, now. (catch a fire)
Slave driver, the table is turn; (catch a fire)
Catch a fire: gonna get burn. (catch a fire) Wo, now!
Ev'rytime I hear the crack of a whip,
My blood runs cold.
I remember on the slave ship,
How they brutalize the very souls.
Today they say that we are free,
Only to be chained in poverty.
Good God, I think it's illiteracy;
It's only a machine that makes money.
Slave driver, the table is turn, y'all. Ooh-ooh-oo-ooh.
Slave driver, uh! The table is turn, baby, now; (catch a fire)
Catch a fire, so you can get burn, baby, now. (catch a fire)
Slave driver, the table is turn, y'all; (catch a fire)
Catch a fire: so you can get burn, now. (catch a fire)
Ev'rytime I hear the crack of a whip,
My blood runs cold.
I remember on the slave ship,
How they brutalize the very soul.
O God, have mercy on our souls!
Oh, slave driver, the table is turn, y'all; (catch a fire)
Catch a fire, so you can get burn. (catch a fire)
Slave driver, the table is turn, y'all; (catch a fire)
Catch a fire ... [fadeout]
This song reminds me of the brutality that the slaves were treated with over the middle passage. It shows how the slaves were not treated as people, but rather just as a profitable trade good.
ya also the 3/5 compromise is also example of slaves not treaated as people..but rather as 3/5 of one...
Another song that I thought of is John Lennon's Imagine. Here are the lyrics even though I'm sure you guys all know this song:
Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jEOkxRLzBf0
Although this song doesn't directly address any historical events is is an important cry for peace. I think that in many points in time people felt like John Lennon did in writing this song. In this war against terror, it is interesting to sometimes jsut step back and wonder where all this will stop. It is good to just slow down and imagine....
I also think music can be one of the most direct reflections and expressions of history and politics.. Not only do the lyrics portray a political notion, but also the tone in which the lyrics are said can show the feelings of the person singing. Any speaker can can articuate his political beliefs wiht passion, but the music in which the lyrics are expressed can always give a more accurate demonstartion of the feelings the singer feels about a certain situation. For example, in the song i picked by Bob Marley, his chorus beat is positive, upbeat, and enthusistic, showing his optimism to fight for a right, while in lian's song by the beatles, the tune is softer and more dramtic as it expresses frustration with the complicated world we live in.
Lian, I really liked the song, Imagine, that you posted. Instead of focusing on revolution or the need for rebellion, it focuses on peace and the world united as “A brotherhood of man”. With all of the violence and wars currently occurring in the world, like in Israel and Iraq, this song sends a valuable lesson in the hope that one day we can live together in a world more peaceful without “greed or hunger” or violence.
here is a link for the song slave driver that i posted earlier
http://youtube.com/watch?v=JlTFBHHF3IQ
Alison, I really liked your choice of Slave Driver, because it represents not only how the slaves feel later in american history, but also depicts the sentiment of the Americans during the revolutionary war.
The struggle of the Native Americans against the colonists who encroached on their land has been a common topic so far in our study of the foundations of america and promises to be a integral part of our look at American history throughout the 1800's.
The song, "Run to the Hills" by Iron Maiden presents the hostility from the viewpoint of both the Native Americans and the colonists and attempts to illustrate the feelings of those fighting on both sides. The lyrics are as follows:
White man came across the sea
He brought us pain and misery
He killed our tribes, he killed our creed
He took our game for his own need
We fought him hard we fought him well
Out on the plains we gave him hell
But many came too much for cree
Oh will we ever be set free?
Riding through dustclouds and barren wastes
Galloping hard on the plains
Chasing the redskins back to their holes
Fighting them at their own game
Murder for freedom a stab in the back
Women and children and cowards attack
Run to the hills run for your lives
Run to the hills run for your lives
Soldier blue on the barren wastes
Hunting and killing their game
Raping the women and wasting the men
The only good indians are tame
Selling them whisky and taking their gold
Enslaving the young and destroying the old
Run to the hills run for your lives
(repeat to end)
http://www.corinthianposse.com/IronMaiden-Runtothehills.mp3
Claire -
Revolution was a good choice of song because it says that change is a good thing but not a the price of death and destruction. That the colonists initiated a full scale war because of their discontent with their treatment be the British is certainly questionable.
*at
my song is power to the people by john lennon. i was gonna do where is the love by the black eyed peas too but nick took it. o well. power to the people is better :)
the lyrics are:
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Say you want a revolution
We better get on right away
Well you get on your feet
And out on the street
Singing power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
A million workers working for nothing
You better give em what they really own
We got to put you down
When we come into town
Singing power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
I gotta ask you comrades and brothers
How do you treat you own woman back home
She got to be herself
So she can free herself
Singing power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Now, now, now, now
Oh well, power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Yeah, power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
-- Nina Kim
Alex, i really liked your song dont stop believing. i would have never thought of that song. if that song was made during the american revolution, the patriots would have listened to it like 24/7.
--Nina Kim
I love Cary's choice of get up stand up. The chorus of that song in itself basically tells the story of the revolution. First they stood up for their rights with protests and combat and then they didn't give up the fight despite enduring hardships in the beginning of the war.
When we were told to think of a song that best describes our feelings toward history, I thought that it was going to be so hard to find a good song. But i literally when i opened my itunes and started listening to some of my favorite songs, a lot of them, even if they weren't talking about history related back somehow. All i really had to do was decide in which way i wanted to portray MY feelings toward history. So I chose a song that i thought described what new colonist would feel.
The lyrics follow:
You sit there in your heartache
Waiting on some beautiful boy to
To save you from your old ways
You play forgiveness
Watch it now
Here he comes
He doesnt look a thing like Jesus
But he talks like a gentleman
Like you imagined
When you were young
Can we climb this mountain
I dont know
Higher now than ever before
I know we can make it if we take it slow
Let's take it easy
Easy now
Watch it go
We're burning down the highway skyline
On the back of a hurricane
That started turning
When you were young
When you were young
And sometimes you close your eyes
And see the place where you used to live
When you were young
They say the devil's water
It ain't so sweet
You dont have to drink right now
But you can dip your feet
Every once in a little while
You sit there in your heartache
Waiting on some beautiful boy to
To save you from your old ways
You play forgiveness
Watch it now
Here he comes
He doesnt look a thing like Jesus
But he talks like a gentleman
Like you imagined
When you were young
(talks like a gentleman)
(like you imagined)
When you were young
I said he doesnt look a thing like Jesus
He doesnt look a thing like Jesus
But more than you'll ever know
claire- Your song from the Beatles song, I agree with you in that it does although really is for the 60's it definetly can relate to history we are learning about, in that it does talk of the revolution.
ALex, I love JOURNEY, although i don't know if it really relates to my opinon of history, but i do agree with your point, that THEY DIDN"T STOP BELIEVING!
Down in Flames: by Relient K
lyrics:
Christians-- we're all afraid of fire.
We prefer to suck on pacifiers.
Baby pacifists, we're throwing fits.
We don't shake hands, we shake our fists.
We're cannibals.
We watch our brothers fall.
We eat our own, the bones and all.
Finally fell asleep on the plane
to wake to see we're going down in flames.
We're going down, down, down in flames.
We're gonna drown, drown, drown insane.
We see the problem and the risk,
but nothing's solved.
We just say, "Tisk, tisk, tisk,"
and, "Shame, shame, shame."
Finally fell asleep on the plane
to wake to see we're going down in flames.
Let's go!
Christians-- we mourn, the thorn is stuck
in the side of the body watch it self-destruct.
The enemy is much ignored
when we fight this Christian civil war.
We're cannibals.
We watch our brothers fall.
We eat our own, the bones and all.
Finally fell asleep on the plane
to wake to see we're going down in flames.
We're going down, down, down in flames.
We're gonna drown, drown, drown insane.
We see the problem and the risk,
but nothing's solved.
We just say, "Tisk, tisk, tisk,"
and, "Shame, shame, shame."
Finally fell asleep on the plane
to wake to see we're going down in flames.
Na na na na, na na na na.
Na na na na, na na na na.
Na na na na, na na na na.
Na na na na, na na na na.
Na na na na, na na na na.
Na na na na, na na na na.
Na na na na, na na na na.
Bana na na na, na na na
Let me pause to clarify
('cause I'm sure you're asking, "Why?").
I stand before you and proudly claim
to belong to what this song complains.
I'm part of the problem,
I confess,
But I gotta get this off my chest.
Let's extinguish the anguish
for which we're to blame,
and save the world
from going down in flames.
Let me pause to clarify
('cause I'm sure you're asking, "Why?").
I stand before you and proudly claim
to belong to what this song complains.
I'm part of the problem,
I confess,
But I gotta get this off my chest.
Let's extinguish the anguish
for which we're to blame,
and save the world
from going down in flames.
I feel like it relates because its about how our ignorance will lead to our destruction.
Nina: your song is great!
I feel like it applies to just our entire country's foundation and constitution. Great choice.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7vhvCnW1fpk
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