21 November, 2006

...You Say You Want A Revolution

Some of the most powerful and empowering music discusses the idea of being trapped in your own or others' preconceived notions. Sociologically speaking, we live in a society that imposes boundaries and restrictions and some great music speaks of bumping against, and in some cases bursting through those barriers. Revolution can be both internal and external, and is more celebrated in contemporary music than you may realize. When you feel trapped, listen to the music and it will free your mind.

“To Have and Have Not” by Billy Bragg

This song addresses the separation of classes and the disconnect between people that results from this separation. The people who can “...afford to pick and choose...” have a greater advantage in the working world and do not always understand that everyone does not have this advantage. The most touching lyric: “...just because you’re better than me, doesn’t mean I’m lazy. Just because you’re going forward, doesn’t mean I’m going backwards.”

“Start Now” by Rancid

A call for unity to end war and violence. The chorus is clear, “I’m not looking for a fight now, and I don’t care who’s wrong or right now, so release the dove into flight now, so we can start right now...” Let’s get past our differing ideologies and work together for the common good.

“Video” by India Arie

Clearly about female body image and the struggles women go through to create a certain outer appearance or to combat that compulsion. India sings the age old question “Am I less of a lady if I don’t wear pantyhose?” and then counters with the thought that so many strong women share; “...my mama said a lady ain’t what she wears, but what she knows.” Beautiful, empowering, and spiritual.

“Waiting On the World to Change” by John Mayer

A song addressing our personal ability to change the world. John Mayer questions the apathetic title that has been placed on his generation, “ Me and all my friends we're all misunderstood. They say we stand for nothing. There's no way we ever could. Now we see everything is going wrong with the world and those who lead it. We just feel like we don't have the means to rise above and beat it.” He’s waiting, but when his time comes he’s ready to change the world.

“Won’t Get Fooled Again” by The Who

This song speaks of revolution, but takes a different view of the resulting change. The entire song is summed up in the last two lines, “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.”

“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana

Filled with teenage angst and sung in the mumbling tones of adolescence, Kurt Cobain uses the internal unease of that “most wonderful time of your life” as a metaphor for the feeling of not quite fitting the mold. This song truly showcases all of Cobain’s genius taking you into that world of boredom, apathy, and uncomfortable physical changes that make teenagers such a misunderstood creature. Cobain heightens this idea of differences by naming four odd things, things that seem very out of place, “a mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido.”

“La Vie Boheme Pts. 1 and 2” by the Cast of RENT

A true celebration of differences and a grocery list of eclectic traits and nonconformist attitudes. “To going against the grain, going insane, going mad...to being an us for once, instead of a them!”

“Who’s Gonna Take the Weight?” by Gang Starr

Besides having impeccable flow, Gang Starr’s lyrics have a point. Another call for unity, but this time it’s especially directed towards the African American community; “... and just imagine if each one is teachin' one we'll come together so that we become a strong force, then we can stay on course. Find your direction through introspection and for my people out there I got a question, can we be the sole controllers of our fate? Now who's gonna take the weight?”

“Soar” by Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera belts a song about self-acceptance, independence, and strength in the face of major conformism. Again, the high school experience is the perfect setting to showcase differences, since changes and differences are always on center stage. The overwhelming moral is to believe in yourself, even if no one else does, because you’re the one that matters.

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