| System of a Down – B.Y.O.B. Lyrics | 20 years ago |
|
I think it's important to note that this song isn't singling out Bush or either political party. It's about Iraq, of course, but I'd imagine that soad had pretty much every US administration in mind when writing this. It's something to think about. People from poor families and communities often have nowhere else to turn but the army- no jobs, no money for college, but they have to support the family somehow. The military doesn't care about your education, just whether you can be trained to fire a weapon or build a base. Poor people in this country are left with few options, and so they wind up fighting all the wars that US administrations start. And make no mistake, our politicians are a wealthy class of people. But it is they who decide when a war is worth fighting, when it is worth sending men and women to die over. That strikes me as very wrong. Back during the Civil War, rich people who were drafted could pay a poor person or send a slave to go fight in their place. If you think about it, that situation hasn't changed much. Regardless, BYOB is an excellent song, and a much-needed one these days. Perhaps some people will hear it and think about what it says. Maybe it will change some people's minds. |
|
| David Bowie – China Girl Lyrics | 20 years ago |
|
I agree with WolfTickets. It sounded like a commentary on the U.S.'s imperialist Asian foreign policy (Korea, Vietnam). The song likens the U.S.'s relations with Asia to an abusive relationship: an alpha-man (see: Marlon Brando) who loves an asian woman who, in his eyes, doesn't know what's good for her. "My little China girl, you shouldn't mess with me." The Brando reference brought to mind the character Stanley Kowalski, which he played in "A Streetcar Named Desire"- a violent, abusive, self-loathing ex-soldier. "I'll ruin everything you are, I'll give you television" - despoiling foreign cultures through America's mass-produced goods - "I'll give you eyes of blue" - American soldiers raping Asian women, producing half-Asian blue-eyed babies. Then again, it could be about any number of other things previously mentioned. |
|
| Queen – Don't Stop Me Now Lyrics | 20 years ago |
|
This song is incredible; one of the most fun songs to listen to. When I first heard it, I couldn't help playing it over and over again- and it never gets old. I understand the "sex" interpretation, but after a few listens I'm getting more of a "drug abuse" undertone: the slow, mellow beginning which jumps into the big-time, adrenaline-pumping middle (all while Freddy sings about feeling invincible and not wanting to stop) and then starts winding down again at the end... the song's form seemed to be imitating a drug high. The reference to ecstasy might be out of context, but everything else seems to fit. He says he wants to "have myself a real good time" - not "we're going to have ourselves a real good time" - which suggests to me that whatever the song's subtext is about is a solo thing. Regardless, an awesome rock-out song from one of the greatest bands ever. |
|
* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.