I think this song speaks to the experience of being an outsider, especially being part of a minority group. The lines "When you step outside/You spend life fighting for your sanity" and "If you wanna be free/Below the ground's the only place to be" speaks to trying to live your life as who you are, as a kind of resistance. I think cold war is a metaphor for the subtlety and pervasiveness of the messages and power structures that tell groups of people that there is something wrong with them. The cold war was long and unique in that there was not a lot of direct conflict between the two main antagonists. It was mostly carried out through covert means which is a great metaphor for the class/culture/race conflicts that happen in this country. They are not always obvious but they are devastatingly painful for the people who live with the brunt of it, as Monae's music video heartbreakingly portrays.
It's an amazing song. Simple, catchy and powerful. Lady Gaga could learn a thing or two from Janelle Monae.
I think this song speaks to the experience of being an outsider, especially being part of a minority group. The lines "When you step outside/You spend life fighting for your sanity" and "If you wanna be free/Below the ground's the only place to be" speaks to trying to live your life as who you are, as a kind of resistance. I think cold war is a metaphor for the subtlety and pervasiveness of the messages and power structures that tell groups of people that there is something wrong with them. The cold war was long and unique in that there was not a lot of direct conflict between the two main antagonists. It was mostly carried out through covert means which is a great metaphor for the class/culture/race conflicts that happen in this country. They are not always obvious but they are devastatingly painful for the people who live with the brunt of it, as Monae's music video heartbreakingly portrays.
It's an amazing song. Simple, catchy and powerful. Lady Gaga could learn a thing or two from Janelle Monae.
I could not have said it better! Great post! You gave me deeper insight in the song. Thank you!
I could not have said it better! Great post! You gave me deeper insight in the song. Thank you!
what's wrong with Lady GaGa
what's wrong with Lady GaGa