| Yael Naim – New Soul Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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Contrary to popular beliefs, this song is not intended to be an expression of love. It's a pain stricken lamentation of disappointment and outrage. In my reading, Yael is having a discussion with Israel, the 'new soul' who is currently making some 'mistakes' (ie. occupation of Palestinians). The writer is highly critical of Israel's ignorance of its actions ('cause you don't understand everything you have done). And, suggests for more communication, as 'finding trust and love is not always easy to make'. |
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| Don Henley – The Heart of the Matter Lyrics | 19 years ago |
| This is my interpretation: this song delves into the tragic truth of our hypercompetitive (capitalistic) society, in order to pursue a greater sense of love and well-being. It is an attempt 'get down to the heart of the matter' in 'such a graceless age', to discover beauty amidst the pride and competition. His reflection of 'forgiveness' is essential in the post-9/11 period, as if 'you keep carryin' that anger, it'll eat you up inside.' | |
| Dead Prez – Police State Lyrics | 20 years ago |
| Dead Prez describes the world, the state through the viewpoint of the oppressed. The world always look and feel different between those with and without power. Yet, it is the perspective of the powerful that is always seen. Dead Prez offers this alternative, a stance from oppressed peoples, whose lives have been marginalized through systematic discrimination. | |
| Cat Power – Maybe Not Lyrics | 20 years ago |
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There is "realism" in "idealism." In the same vein of other postmodern peace songs, this song speaks of the end of war, in our world, within our selves. Cat Power challenges the notion that freedom comes aesthetics and words; instead, she concludes it comes "your mind", while placing emphasis on activism ("doing just one more thing"). |
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| The Beatles – Revolution 1 Lyrics | 20 years ago |
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In an interview with Tariq Ali, Lennon had this to say: Ah, sure, 'Revolution' . There were two versions of that song but the underground left only picked up on the one that said 'count me out'. The original version which ends up on the LP said 'count me in' too; I put in both because I wasn't sure. There was a third version that was just abstract, musique concrete, kind of loops and that, people screaming. I thought I was painting in sound a picture of revolution--but I made a mistake, you know. The mistake was that it was anti-revolution. On the version released as a single I said 'when you talk about destruction you can count me out'. I didn't want to get killed. I didn't really know that much about the Maoists, but I just knew that they seemed to be so few and yet they painted themselves green and stood in front of the police waiting to get picked off. I just thought it was unsubtle, you know. I thought the original Communist revolutionaries coordinated themselves a bit better and didn't go around shouting about it. That was how I felt--I was really asking a question. As someone from the working class I was always interested in Russia and China and everything that related to the working class, even though I was playing the capitalist game. At one time I was so much involved in the religious bullshit that I used to go around calling myself a Christian Communist, but as Janov says, religion is legalised madness. It was therapy that stripped away all that and made me feel my own pain." |
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