| Rage Against the Machine – People Of The Sun Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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Let's get a couple things straight. Ghostly, thanks for the interpretation of the LA riots. That makes a lot of sense of the zoots reference. But regarding the native people, the song is about both the Aztecs and the Mayans, as well as other smaller groups. Aztecs ruled south-central Mexico. They were not in South or Central America, despite what people on here keep announcing. The Mayans covered much of Central America and southern Mexico (it's a big country). There were Mayan people and Mayan culture when the Spanish arrived. They weren't at the peak of their game militarily, but they were there and still are. A huge percentage of Guatemala, for instance, speaks Spanish as a second language. The Zapatistas are Mayan, with the exception of Subcomandante Marcos, who's Latino. It's important to note that, despite what someone said here, the revolution isn't Mexico versus the US. It's more relevant to think of it as indigenous versus European settlers. Most Mexicans are mixed, but the dominant culture is Latino and nearly all the money is in Latino hands. The indigenous have no power and little money. They live on the land of their ancestors and yet they have no say -- especially since NAFTA -- in the laws and policies governing them. The latino government in Mexico is joined at the hip with the US government. The Zapatistas are trying to fight for their rights (as they see them) against corrupt leadership in both countries. They aren't anti-American, per se. I was in Chiapas in '94 during the revolt. They had nothing against me. They were noble, brave and desperate. It was (and is) a beautiful struggle and bless Zach for honoring them in song and for getting other people interested in their cause. Turn it up to 11 and break off the knob! |
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| Tom Waits – Soldier's Things Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| When I've heard this song, I've always imagined it from the point of view of the soldier's mother or father finally getting rid of their son's things. This is a heartbreaker because it's clear the soldier never made it home. | |
| Tom Waits – Burma-Shave Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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This is a fantastic piece of poetry on so many levels. It all starts with using Burma Shave as a symbol for the highways of America, which are symbolic of the American dream and symbolic of the mystery of life on an even deeper level. In the end it's symbolic of death. From that lofty concept he ranges to simple and beautiful lines like "Her hair spilled out like root beer." One of the best written songs I have ever heard. Definitely the best song on Americana I've ever heard (though Tom has some other gems on that genre). I'll stop gushing over it now. |
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| Tom Waits – What Keeps Mankind Alive? Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| This song is from "The Three Penny Opera," a German musical from the 30s. It was written by Kurt Weil and Bertolt Brecht. It's a great play, incidentally. Some friends of mine put it on a couple years ago. The most popular song from it is "Mack the Knife." "Pirate Jenny" is great, too (listen to Nina Simone's version, though it's nothing like the original). Tom does the song perfectly. Mirah also does a great version of this song. | |
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