| Grace Jones – Slave To The Rhythm Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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@now and never, Reading that back, I can see how formal (a bit boring )it is to read. I am in Uni and it has obviously affected my writing. I have gathered this information over time and in my head, I didnt especially look it up for this LOL.. (on most of this info you probably will not find on Wiki) When I read the lyrics, It all kind of seemed to click together. Perhaps maybe I should have just said that this song is about how the industry sucks and how it makes slaves out of artists and exploits them. ?? |
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| Grace Jones – Slave To The Rhythm Lyrics | 14 years ago |
| I didn't get this from Wiki , but ok, not meaning to give a history lesson, just giving a meaning to a song as this is what I thought the sight was about, @turn be on your right, and I would hate to be in that room LOL | |
| Grace Jones – Slave To The Rhythm Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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*Here is what I think, I am interested in finding other interpretations.* At the begining of the song on her album there is a long intro. Here she is talking about being born Jamaican but raised American. Then goes on to say that she is an American Girl. I believe she is talking about African American History (slavery). Many references in the song refer to this such as "Axe the Wood in ancient times, man machine, powerline, fires burn, hearts beat strong, sing out loud the chain gang song. African Americans were brought and sold as merchandise, in chains (chained together in a line) on slave ships. They were forced to work under harsh conditions against thier will. Working to a Rhythm and singing while working was thought by slave masters to "boost moral" (as whipping, starving, or other awful punishments damaged the "merchanside" and made thier slaves worth less on thier investments) so slaves could work harder and more efficiantly. Some slave masters even used to have musicians or a band play to them as they worked. Congo: In Louisiana African Americans used to gather around on a Sunday night to sing and dance. This was the only time they were allowed to practice thier cluture / beliefs / be 'free' for a few hours. Slave masters/owners/whites would often come to watch them celebrate (almost as a form of entertainment) At the end of this song, Grace is saying Don't Cry, its only the rhythm, we live to the rhythm, we work to the rhythm ... Then announces herself as being a Slave to the rhythm. Perhaps she is refering to the music industry and the exploitation of Black musicians and music. Micheal Jackson also refered to himself as being a "slave to the Rhythem" in an interview (with Oprah, i think). We all know Micheals true feeling about Tommy Motola and how he said (very publicly) that Tommy was the Devil, and that he was racist. Prince (artist formaly known.. what ever he has decided to call himself theses days LOL) also made a very bold statement to the record companies by writing SLAVE across his face. For Example: Artists Record Deal: 15 Million Dollar contract for 3 albums. Fan Base for artist: 36 million. Cost of single CD: lets just say $15. Who do you think gets the rest? Also take into consideration that some record contracts do not pay for all the promo such as music videos. We see product placement in music videos (Nelly's Airforce Ones) Missy Elliot, Addidas. This is what is what I believe is truley paying the "Artists". (Not music related, but Micheal Jordan made more money from his endorsements and his shoes). Read about what happened to TLC and how they became bankrupt even though millions of people were buying thier music. By refering to herself as being a slave to the rhythm my guess is that even though the chains are gone and part of "ancient" times, She is still finding it difficult to express her music in the ways that she wants to, because in order to make a profit from her music the industy must first approve, and then take most of the profits for themselves. |
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