Hi D Block,
We talked today about Youth as leaders of social change and how music is used as a forum to spread messages of change. We looked at music and poetry from the 50's, 60's and 70's and discussed how it led to changes in civil rights, environmentalism and social justice. Your job is to now look at contemporary music (2004-now) to find songs that have a message of change. Something that gets you thinking about the world we live in. You need to
1. post the name of the song (or poem) artist, date,
2. post a link to the song so we can call listen
3. post the lyrics
4. post a short paragraph about what the message is and why it is important to you
I'll do the first one so you get an idea of what I am looking for.
Keep up the good work!
-Mr. Miller
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Hi D-Block,
ReplyDeleteI'm really into K'Naan right now, I went to see him in February and he was unreal. Anyway, most of his songs have a message, the man has a lot to say. One song I really like is...
1. Take a Minute - K'Naan
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIhm94a-8SE
3. Ahttp://www.metrolyrics.com/take-a-minute-lyrics-knaan.html
4. This song is amazing, every time I listen to it I hear more. The thing that jumped out at me first was the lyric "And any man who knows a thing knows He knows not a damn, damn thing at all" He is borrowing this idea from Socrates who said that the more we learn the more we understand we don't know, in other words the more we find out the more questions we have! It's an ongoing circle of learning that goes on forever (That is like a teachers dream!) So many music stars today are so arrogant, thinking (and saying) how great they are, K'Naan is humble, he understands that it's ok not to be the best at everything. I think that in itself is a powerful and important message.
The main message of the song (to me) is that life isn't about how much wealth or material things we can collect, its about giving back to our communities and contributing something to our world. He constantly sends the message that "giving is priceless." In a world consumed by consumerism with everyone judging us by how we dress, the cars we drive and the brands we can afford it is really refreshing to hear some talk about giving instead of taking. What a great message about a positive social change!
I hope you enjoy the song, I'm looking forward to seeing what you allnhave to say.
-Mr. Miller
1) T.I. ft Jamie Foxx - Live in the sky October 17, 2006
ReplyDelete2)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTWXYuQ4aSQ
3http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/ti/liveinthesky.html
4)The message in this song is that think about the ups and downs in life and dont take anything for granted. Think about the people who have lost someone or lost there lives.Its saying that the family he lost went to heaven and that he wants to go there after he dies so they can, i guess reunite. Hes also saying that his family and kids are more important then his wealth and he would give all that up for them. Hes also saying that he learned from the people who were closet to him and dont make the same mistakes someone else did. Make good choices in life.
1.) Various artists. Made in 2010. "We Are the World."
ReplyDelete2 & 3.) http://www.killerhiphop.com/we-are-the-world-25-for-haiti-lyrics/
4.) I think it means that, even in times of trouble there is always a good side to it. Even if you feel like you're alone you won't be because all the people around you are gonna be there no matter what.
We are all part of this world (we are all children of this Earth) and we need to take care of each other when others are in need. Help Haiti and bring the people from their back on their feet.
1) Nautical - Protest the Hero
ReplyDelete2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhidxXXwWKg&playnext_from=TL&videos=9iGvs8Op7W4&feature=rec-LGOUT-real_rev-rn-1r-4-HM
3) http://www.mp3lyrics.org/p/protest-the-hero/nautical/
4) The message is about if you were different, you couldn't really show it, because it would be called treason, or you would be called a communist or anything else like that. This is someone who was thinking about how the next generation would turn out, if they would drop bombs when times were not flawless.
1) A Twist in My Story-(Secondhand Serenade)
ReplyDelete2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hW93CV6m-JU
3) This video is awesome! I like how the song is about how mad the world can be sometimes. I think he's just struggling with how empty existence feels.I think that this entire song is him realizing that there's no point in existing. He's not necessarily suicidal, but he sees existence as trivial. His dreams about dying are not necessarily about death, but about ceasing to exist altogether, something he wishes was possible. The part about the children is saying that children are oblivious to the concept of existence, that they see only what they know, and that he wishes he could share their ignorance. The birthday symbolizes the child's mentality of an event so significant that it is worth looking forward to consistently, believing that the next one will be better than the last, when in reality the effects of the event dull until it is simply another day. During the time when a child feels so excited about an event that an adult finds almost insignificant, they display true ignorance and obliviousness. The singer yearns to be a child and have such mentalities, but as he cannot, he sees no reason to exist.
Lost by Gorilla Zoe & Lil Wayne.
ReplyDelete[Verse 1:]
Walking around looking for a way
But no one tells me which way to go
I'm caught up in a world
Elaborath a maze
Where yes men could easily be known
I ask them no questions
They give me no answers
Following the wise
But they're walking in pampers
Give me a cigarette
Smoking my cancer
Drink the pain away
But I still have no answers
[Hook:]
I'm lost on a road
Don't know which way to go
I'm losing my mind
Losing control of the wheel
And I'm swerving
On and off the road
I'm lost on a road
But survival is a must
Don't know who I can trust
I'm livin in a rush
I don't understand the fuss
My brain is bout to bust
[Chorus:]
I think I'm losin it
I might be losin it
I just might lose
Am I losin my mind?
And I'm so confused I don't know what to do
And I need a clue before I run out of time
Am I losin it?
Am I losin it?
I think I'm losin
I'm losin my mind
Am I losin it?
Am I losin it?
I think I'm losin
I'm losin my mind
[Verse 2: Lil Wayne]
I'm a need counseling
I lost my mind and still haven't found it
I used to be so well-rounded
But now I tiptoe on hell's boundaries
F. Baby A.K.A. crazy
Trapped in a maze, therefore I am amazing
Block E the doc, I'm just a patient
And even with Navigation
I'm lost on a...
[Hook: Gorilla Zoe and Lil Wayne]
I'm lost on a road
I... I... I don't know what's wrong with me
But... but I'm a keep that styrofoam with me
I'm lost on a road
And I don't know what's wrong with me
Gorilla Zoe on the song with me
He must be gone with me
[Chorus:]
I think I'm losin it
I might be losin it
I just might lose
Am I losin my mind?
And I'm so confused I don't know what to do
And I need a clue before I run out of time
Am I losin it?
Am I losin it?
I think I'm losin
I'm losin my mind
Am I losin it?
Am I losin it?
I think I'm losin
I'm losin my mind
[Verse 3:]
I'm makin this money
Just to go spend it
Livin the good life
Hope nobody ends it
But who are you kidding?
Ay who are you lying to?
You know if they want you
Best believe they will find you
[Hook:]
I'm lost on a road
And there's no one to talk to
There's nowhere to run to
I'm goin in circles
I'm talkin to myself
Got me blazin this purple
[Chorus:]
I think I'm losin it
I might be losin it
I just might lose
Am I losin my mind?
And I'm so confused I don't know what to do
And I need a clue before I run out of time
Am I losin it?
Am I losin it?
I think I'm losin
I'm losin my mind
Am I losin it?
Am I losin it?
I think I'm losin
I'm losin my mind
1.trouble is a friend-Lenka.
ReplyDelete2.http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/OS7Amq1RPd4/
3.http://www.absolutelyrics.com/lyrics/view/lenka/trouble_is_a_friend/
4. This song is really good, i love it. The message in this song is that we should make a friend with trouble. In our daily lives, trouble is everywhere, we cannot stop it. Therefore, we should face it and overcome it. We can be more mature and successful because of trouble. Let's enjoy trouble in our lives!
1.)Tupac – Changes, 1998
ReplyDelete2.)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL5sdu3pNrU
3.)http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/2pac/changes.html
4.)The message in this song is that everything from the past has changed more or less in a bad way. Tupac is saying that all we see and hear about in our modern lives now are murder, theft and racism. His message is that even though he knows things could never be the way there were at one time, we still need to make changes to make our world a better place. In the lyrics he states that the only way to change our world is to work together. This song was released in 1998 and in the lyrics he states “We ain't ready, to see a black President”, this quote gives us a sense that the world is changing because the U.S now does have a black president. He is also trying to say that we need to change this world where as people aren’t only looking to be the best by stealing and killing, his message is to change the world to make it a better place with the absence of racism.
1)Never too late- Hedley, April 2008
ReplyDelete2)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCyo4vXm30U
3)http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/hedley/nevertoolate.html
4)The message of this song is that even if things are at it's worst, you should never give up on anything because it's never too late to start again and try harder. The song is basically telling everyone who has gone through heartbreaks or is currently in one, should move on and not waste every second sulking when you could use that time to spread that smile across your face. It is important to me because I am the exact opposite! It's hard for me to move on and learn from my past mistakes. But every time I listen to this song it makes me happy because I realize that I shouldn't be upset over something that already happened. The only thing you can do when you're struck by something hurtful is to think ahead and learn from it, then use it and live on. Not just for heartbreaks, but to anything that means a lot to you. You only have one life to live so live it to the fullest ! =)
1) One Tribe - Black Eyed Peas
ReplyDelete2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoFKE4cdi70
3) http://www.metrolyrics.com/one-tribe-lyrics-black-eyed-peas.html
4)The message of this song is that we are all connected as one in this world, no matter what a persons skin or hair color is. It's saying that no matter what your history is or what you have done, you shouldn't be judged and still be accepted. This song is important to me because I personally am 110% against racism and hate it with everything I have. I just wish that people would take in the line "I'm loving this peace" because its so true! Why would you want war when you could have PEACE? Hahaha. I also respect the line "I don't need no leader that's gonna force feed", because again I really don't take other peoples shit and go with what I think is right.
1） Not As We - Alanis Morissette
ReplyDelete2） http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6y50n_alanis-morissette-not-as-we-hq_music
3） http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/alanismorissette/notaswe.html
4 In my opinion, the message of this song is the issue between "I" and "WE". There are millions of people starving for help but can't get in time. It's a quite sad song. It strongly reminds me that only when we struggle to life and help ourselves, "WE" are valuable. That's the reason why it's important to me, also.
1- 3 R's - Jack Johnson
ReplyDelete2- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6IbRSRe8MQ
3-http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/jackjohnson/the3rs.html
4- The message of this song, is about to reduce, reuse, recycle, we can reduce our garbage bringing our own bags when we go to the market to buy something. The poins is we have to make a better life to us and the Earth
1.) Red Flag - Billy Talent (2006)
ReplyDelete2.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VhJWH2eDUA
3.) http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/red-flag-lyrics-billy-talent/ccaef426497320954825703c0007bcf8
4.) This song talks about how we are constantly having to live with the mistakes of the past generations. It is saying how the future of the world is all up to the minds of today's youth, and we have to hope that they will learn from past mistakes and create a positive atmosphere with less racism, sexism, and discrimination in general. From the line "Like a smallest bee packs a sting" it shows how a kid has so much influence in changing the world.
1. minority report - jay z ft. neyo
ReplyDelete2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LipIS_uf3JY]
3.http://www.lyricstime.com/ne-yo-minority-report-jay-z-feat-ne-yo-lyrics.html
4. in this song, jay z speaks about the unjust actions of the government after hurricane katrina. he talks about how many people recieved aid after many days without resources, and how the people felt ignored.
1. Big Yellow Taxi - Counting Crows
ReplyDelete2.http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xttyr_big-yellow-taxi-counting-crows_music
3.http://www.lyrics007.com/Counting%20Crows%20Lyrics/Big%20Yellow%20Taxi%20Lyrics.html
4.This song is a remake of Joni Michell's 1970's song. This song is about ruining the environment with technology and traffic. Counting Crows must have thought it was influential enough to remake in 2002. Joni is here quoted about why she wrote the song. "I wrote 'Big Yellow Taxi' on my first trip to Hawaii. I took a taxi to the hotel and when I woke up the next morning, I threw back the curtains and saw these beautiful green mountains in the distance. Then, I looked down and there was a parking lot as far as the eye could see, and it broke my heart... this blight on paradise. That's when I sat down and wrote the song." (Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-05-16.)
1.) The Eagles-Hole in the World
ReplyDelete2.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r_qvguw0gQ
3.) http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/eagles/holeintheworld.html
4.) This song is written by The Eagles. They wrote this song after a tour in Europe. The song's message is talking about how the world is damaged and that love is the only thing that can save our world that has so much evil and hatred.
1) Gorilla Zoe & Lil Wayne
ReplyDelete2) www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OK2eSEk6WI w/lyrics
3) This song's message is he is lost in his own life and he doesnt know which way to go, he smokes and drink and feels like his life is going down.
knaan-wavin flag
ReplyDeletesong-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhXOKUBGSRw
lyrics-http://www.metrolyrics.com/wavin-flag-lyrics-knaan.html
this song wavin flag talks about bad things that are happening around the world from genocide to natural disaters,and that we should help do somthing about it. this song has inspired thousands of people there is also different versions of this song example for hati that has famous singers like drake and justin beiber.