Last Post (Or is it?)

First off, this has been an interesting and fun journey into blogging. I’ve learned a lot and have genuinely been excited and enjoyed the process of this class and I hope that, while it probably will not be as in depth, I will continue to utilize this blog for an outlet in the future. With that statement, lets strap ourselves in because I’m sure I will be getting deep with this topic: Music and Society.

Music and Society – Saving the World One Song at a Time

If you haven’t gathered, I’m a pretty big fan of musicians that allude or respond to societal issues with their music (or have an overall important message). I could probably run on sentence my thoughts about this topic as I have so much to talk about, but I will restrain myself (hopefully…). Also, I really think it is important to support any musician that uses their platform for something positive or thought provoking, especially music that promotes individual thinking versus the group think of our society. Sometimes performing music such as this can be considered a “career suicide” which is why it is not as common as you would think. This is also why you see societal commentary music covered in metaphors and euphemisms because some people will not see through to the real meaning.

Going through my playlist has been challenging as always when it comes to these posts. I will have two main songs for this topic but I will also have an array of my favorite examples (of different genres and locations) that I didn’t use because they need to be shout out.

Social commentary is the act of using rhetorical means to provide commentary on issues in a society. This is often done with the idea of implementing or promoting change by informing the general populace about a given problem and appealing to people’s sense of justice

Music Analysis #1 – Social Commentary

RM and Wale – Change

What’s a post without me throwing in one of my favorite artist’s (insert huge smile here). I know I have spoken of RM and his role in BTS as well as his solo music, but there is also the amazing collabs that he has participated in and “Change” with Wale (from America if you are not aware of the Rap scene) is probably one of my favorites (also it is highly underrated once you understand the meaning/concept). Wale is always quite poetic, which is always how RM writes his music as well. This was a match made in heaven in my opinion.

Instrumental and Song

The instrumental is quite funky with the old school piano riffs blending really well with the hard hitting beat. The end of the song also hits into a strange, almost dreamlike (and soothing) tune as compared to the rest of the instrumental. Overall though, the beat and melody I believe are quite simple because the purpose of the song is entirely in the lyrics. The point is to focus on that versus what the rest of what the song is offering.

Lyrics Breakdown

No translations are required for this song, as it is all in English:

[Verse 1: RM]
Oh, tell me that dark could never win the light
Oh, tell me that wrong could never win the right
Baby, tell me that we gon’ someday stop the fight
And tell me that every, everything gon’ be alright
Oh tell me who’s stupid, baby, is it me or them?
Just tell me who’s insane, baby, is it me or them?
In this crazy world after patience, could we get the pearl?
But this world, which teaches me, preaches me how to curl
Oh, fuck the school
All we got is mad teachers and some visible classes
Divided spaces, and forever-lastin’ stresses
Everybody’s mad
Kill people with fingers on Twitter
More than a gun, more than a knife
The tip of your tongue just glitter
Would the pain always win you gain? (Nah)
How could you bet? It’s damn checkin’ game (Yeah)
We’re losin’ again, homie, we losin’ too many things
What should we tell our sons?
You know that they will be the men
Like you and me

[Pre-Chorus: RM]
If hope is a taste, what’s yours?
What you eat all day? (What you eat all day?)
And if your love is a game
Are we losin’, losin’? Oh

[Chorus: Together]
World is gonna change
(ooh ooh ooh)
World is gonna change
(ooh ooh ooh)
World is gonna change
(ooh ooh ooh)
World is gonna change
(ooh ooh ooh)

[Verse 2: Wale]
Yeah, yeah, tell me what is really real?
I’m tryna buy a new Ferrari for my newest deal
Baby girl say, “The world really hate us, huh?”
Pray a lot and maybe God give you Saint Laurent
Wish that I could change the world but they hold back
When it’s time to go, the people just be mad again
And what if I could change the world with a pen and pad?

When it’s time to vote, the people turn to mannequins
Challenge that
Namjoon, I’m the man too
I’m out in Chevy Chase the teachers used to lampoon
I sing songs, haikus
Over rap tunes
High IQ
Lookin’ for a Song
Hye Kyo, hey cuuutie
Yeah
I’m tryin’ to keep it a hunnit
Got no faith in the government
That’s why we need each other, hey
Laughin’ to keep from cryin’
Folarin’s a rap monster
BTS is the ARMY
Now it’s on me
I’ma keep the piece until I see some more peace
I’ma keep it G, forever keep it low-key
Take a trip to South Korea with some DC OGs
Chiefin’ OG, I’m chiefin’ OG
Hated by alt-rights and racist police
Say, woop woop, man, 12 comin’
They make them kids really freeze, when they say, “Freeze!” Freeze!

[Chorus: Together Repeat]

[Post-Chorus: Together Repeat]

[Verse 3: Wale & RM]
Moonz, prayin’ for better days for you and I
I see progress via my daughter’s eyes
I think I think too much now and drink too much now
I numb it ’cause I don’t wanna cry
Prayin’ for better place for you and I I see some grass growin’ in winter’s eyes
I think I think too much now and drink too much now
To numb it ’cause I don’t wanna die
I believe that real friends love you to no limit (yeah)
I believe that real change lies in the mirror (yeah)
Since I was a lil’ one wasn’t ‘posed to get much status
Now they got they hands up for me like a stick up
Say, “Hands up, hands up” like a stick up
Hands up, hands up like a stick up
Since I was a lil’ one, wasn’t ‘posed to get much statusGot they hands up for me like a stick up, check it

[Outro: Wale & RM]
Take it day by day, night by night
It’s on you and me if I’m gon’ shine
Not stoppin’ day by day, night by night
It’s on you and I
Moonz and the ARMY right
(My hands up)

I love the lyrics to this song. The whole song is just picking apart the flaws that are observed in the world (in many different countries). The two rappers are from two different areas of the world (South Korea, America), but are able to relate to each other with the context of this song despite these differences. They come together preaching with hope that the world is going to change (eventually, maybe…). The chorus of the song “World is gonna change” is said with a tone of question and hope because they do not know if the world will change, but hope that it will.

The lyrics calls out racism, criticises the education systems, the stress that is pushed upon the younger generation, the toxicity of social media, the descentized individuals that are roaming the internet (trolls!), the political scene (and lack of voting, yet demand for change), etc. A Lot of this is also referenced with imagery in the MV. It’s pretty powerful if you dissect each lyric and create an understanding. This song represents the kind of rap that I enjoy- the lyric wordplay and hidden meaning is definitely my cup of tea. For reference, the third verse has a lot of personal references to Wale and RM which I will not get into as it is not relevant to the topic of this post. I just know it can be confusing reading some of the lyrics if you do not understand or know the artist (this is a good example of that). If you would like to understand you are welcome to research further as it is information any of their fans would know.

My favorite lyrics is “Kill people with fingers on Twitter
More than a gun, more than a knife” because it is so. damn. true (excuse my language). I have had a Twitter profile for a while (I never deleted it from my early college years), yet I use it rarely because there are just so many hateful people with all the time in the world on their hands that will spend time tearing people down just for the fun of it. It’s mind boggling.

Music Analysis #2 –

Green Day – American Idiot

Maybe this is a cliché song to mention, but it is one of the songs on my IPOD playlist that I know every word to that is packed with punches of social commentary. I’m a sucker for most alternative/rock/old rock AND Metal music (no judgment, sometimes a mosh pit is the greatest stress reliever). Green Day was that band that every young tween started out listening to when I was in middle school. I was just one of the fortunate ones that didn’t stop listening when I “fell from the phase” (because I really didn’t fall).

Instrumental

American Idiot is written in the key of A major and has four chords. The instrumental is what you considered the standard rock band of drums, guitar, bass and vocals. There is also a instrumental moment (break?) within the song that I would honestly describe as head banging. The only thing I do not like about the song is its lack of diversity with lyrics, but I also understand the irony in the repetitiveness. It’s almost robotic or “controlled” which plays into the message of the song.

Lyrics Breakdown

[Verse 1]
Don’t wanna be an American idiot
Don’t want a nation under the new mania
And can you hear the sound of hysteria?
The subliminal mind-fuck America

[Chorus]
Welcome to a new kind of tension
All across the alien nation
Where everything isn’t meant to be okay
Television dreams of tomorrow
We’re not the ones who’re meant to follow
For that’s enough to argue

[Verse 2]
Well, maybe I’m the faggot, America
I’m not a part of a redneck agenda
Now everybody do the propaganda
And sing along to the age of paranoia

[Chorus]
Welcome to a new kind of tension
All across the alien nation
Where everything isn’t meant to be okay
Television dreams of tomorrow
We’re not the ones who’re meant to follow
For that’s enough to argue

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 3]
Don’t wanna be an American idiot
One nation controlled by the media
Information age of hysteria
It’s calling out to idiot America

[Chorus]
Welcome to a new kind of tension
All across the alien nation
Where everything isn’t meant to be okay
Television dreams of tomorrow
We’re not the ones who’re meant to follow
For that’s enough to argue

I honestly believe this song (and it’s lyrics) continues to become more and more relevant as time goes on in America. The lyrics talk about mass media and the orchestrated paranoia and idiocy among the public of America due to the information being reported. The song focuses on the point of American politics, “group-think” of a nation, and the stereotypes and labels that follows at every corner. It is funny how accurate this song is in describing America in the present because this song was released in 2004.

Honorable Mentions- Because I’m Weak and I Love Music that has Meaning:

Solo de Mí -( Bad Bunny, 2018) – When I was younger (started at 10) and learning Spanish, I started by music and movies (captions to no captions). I’ve become a fan of latin music since. This song is not in English, so unless you know Spanish, you will have to look up the lyrics as there are no captions. I really have enjoyed Bad Bunny, he is always facing controversial topics head on with no cares for the backlash.

This is America (Childish Gambino, 2018) – Another favorite of mine. As, I’ve stated before, I am a fan of poetic rap and this song really takes the icing. Its also shocking for new viewers and will strike your senses. Because it is fairly new and well known song, I decided not to do an analysis even though this MV and song is perfect for this topic.

(The dreaded KPOP!)

Spring Day (BTS, 2016) – I already spoke on this song in my last post, but if you read my analysis you will understand why I added this onto my list for this topic.

Baepsae (BTS, 2015) – Another song (of many) that BTS has created this time criticising the youth and their desensitization towards money and always having to have the best no matter the cost.

Same Love– (Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, 2012)

Imagine– (John Lennon, 1971)

Sing – (My Chemical Romance, 2010)

Us and Them – (Pink Floyd, 1973)

Works Cited

Frith, S. (2019, October 24). Rock as a reflection of social and cultural change. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/art/rock-music/Rock-as-a-reflection-of-social-and-cultural-changeLakin, G. (2017, September 14).

Standing Next to Everyman: Social Commentary and Classic Rock Music. Retrieved from https://entropymag.org/standing-next-to-everyman-social-commentary-and-classic-rock-music/Solá-Santiago, F. (2018, December 28).

Bad Bunny’s Recent Attention to Puerto Rican Politics Is the Sign of an Artistic Evolution. Retrieved from https://remezcla.com/features/music/bad-bunny-politics-puerto-rico/

The history of American protest music, from “Yankee Doodle” to Kendrick Lamar – Vox. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://nowcomment.com/documents/167180