Jeremih, "Imma Star", Rap, 2009
Pussycat Dolls, "When I Grow Up", Pop, 2008
Travie McCoy, "Billionaire", Hip Hop/Reggae, 2010
N*SYNC, "Celebrity", Pop, 2001
Drake, "Successful", R&B, 2010
Liberation Songs
Boys Like Girls," The Great Escape", Rock, 2006
Linkin Park, "Runaway", Rock, 2000
Akon, "Freedom", R&B, 2009
Mumford and Sons, "The Cave", Folk, 2010
Nelly Furtado, "I'm Like A Bird", Pop, 2000
As I said last week in our individualistic and materialistic society, finding songs circling money/glory/fame is easy. However, in many of the songs I found I repeatedly heard the same message about the dangers and negative repercussions of fame. In this aspect, American views on fame coincide with the Hindu view that fame is temporary, competitive, and precarious. However, modern music also discusses the rumors and betrayals accompanied by fame. I think this inclusion is due to the development gossip outlets like news, paparazzi, etc. Additionally, many artists who sing about fame mention an impoverished past, implying that their current fame is redemption from their previous poor lifestyle. Songs on liberation were not as hard to find as community service songs. However, the American view on liberation varies greatly from the Hindu ideal. Liberation according to American music is about running away from your troubles and past. Moksha, on the other hand, means ultimate happiness, completion, and oneness. Because freedom in America is thought of as escape it is often an impulsive, fast route. In Hinduism, achieving moksha can take not only a whole lifetime but also several life times. A possibly reason behind Americans seeking a quick release is because the common American believes in a single lifetime. Also, most Americans seek a comfortable lifestyle above all else so when the world isn’t going our way it is time to move on rather than understand that struggles are a part of living.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Community Serivce Songs
Embedded video: Jackson 5, "Give Love On Christmas Day", Pop/R&B, 1970
Definitely, finding songs about pleasure was easier. I didn't have to go far back in music history to find songs about pleasure surrounding love, drugs, alcohol, and money. This prevalence is due to how mainstream music and society in general are focused on individual pursuits rather than community outreach. While searching for love songs, I observed a majority of songs either focused on the pursuit of love or the end of love rather than on actually being in love, in Hinduism it is not just the pursuit of love that should give you pleasure but also the maintenance of it. Love as displayed in American music is often one-sided, fickle, and/or shallow. The drugs and alcohol songs are growing increasingly commonplace, with the dominance of Rap/R&B. Both types of songs emphasize over indulgence rather than proportionality, which goes against the Hindu belief that pleasure seeking should be intelligent.
Because of the significance given to individuality in America, community service songs are limited. In my search, I found many songs that lamented on the poor state of our world but only a few inspired others to take action. Also, I correlated that community service songs were mainly developed in response to a certain conflicts or even for a charity event such as “Children Need A Helping Hand” by Backstreet Boys, which never reached the popularity as their other songs such as “I Want It That Way” or “As Long As You Love Me”. I wonder if it was because it focused on a good cause rather than personal love issues why it did not reach the same level of popularity. Another trend I noticed in songs that do call for action, the action does not have to be physical. It can be something as basic as praying i.e. “Pray” by Justin Bieber. While praying for others seems to go along with fulfilling the aim of community service, it is not enough. I believe that in order to reach that goal, actual volunteer service is required. Lastly, community service songs also seemed to become more popular during the Christmas time of giving. Thus, making community service seem seasonal rather than a year-round duty.
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