Monday, May 11, 2009

Political/Social Messages

The song, Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival, offers a strong opinionated perspective on the Vietnam War. The band displays their disapproval of the war because of the draft game many people played. The Vietnam War drafted men between the ages of 18 and 22, but one could become illegible from being drafted if they were enrolled in a college. This war-avoidance often earned many scornful attitudes from the public.

An example of Creedence Clearwater Revival's disapproval and criticism of the war is when he says "It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no senator's son, son. It aint me, it aint me; I aint no fortunate one, no." This refers to the fact that many people were able to avoid being drafted into the war by having ties within the government. For instance, if one had an uncle that was a governor of Pennsylvania, this individual would be able to avoid the draft. Creedence Clearwater Revival expresses their disapproval of this by saying "I ain't no senator's son."

Another song that offers a strong opinionated perspective on political and social unrest is "Where Is The Love" by Black Eyed Peas. Throughout this song, political motives by the U.S. government are questioned due to the consequences it has had on the society. It is asked, "Where is the love?" multiple times to emphasize the debate over war when war is claimed to be a cause while peace could be the effect. However, Black Eyed Peas disagree with this because "If love and peace so strong. Why are there pieces of love that don't belong? Nations dropping bombs. Chemical gases filling lungs of little ones. With ongoing suffering. As the youth die young. So ask yourself is the loving really strong?" This refers to the consequences and disapproval of the band towards the war effort in post-9/11 era.

Another example in the song, Where Is The Love? by Black Eyed Peas, is when the war effort is questioned due to the social consequences. They emphasize how the war effort has contributed to the deterrence in domestic crime in the U.S. since 9/11. They say, "So I can ask myself really what is going wrong. With this world that we living in. People keep on giving in. Makin wrong decisions. Only visions of them livin and not respecting each other. Deny thy brother." This demonstrates how Black Eyed Peas believe that the U.S. government has become gradually more ignorant to the social issues occurring within the nation while they fight a war overseas.

Imagery

The song, Mr. Brightside by The Killers, exhibits several characteristics pertaining to the topic of imagery. One example of imagery in the song occurs when it says "It started out with a kiss. How did it end up like this? It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss." This is an example of imagery because the action occuring is described by a phrase that re-creates vivid sensory experiences for the reader/listener. This instance applies to imagery because it is appealing to touch with the singer asking how the situation developed when it was "only a kiss."

Another example of imagery within the song, Mr. Brightside by The Killers, is when the singer says "I just can't look its killing me. And taking control. Jealousy, turning saints into the sea. Swimming through sick lullabies. Choking on your alibis. But it's just the price I pay. Destiny is calling me. Open up my eager eyes. Cause I'm Mr Brightside." In this stanza, the singer displays a vivid scene for the reader/listener. He describes and compares several topics that paint an eccentric picture in the mind of the reader/listener. This is an example of imagery because it describes and re-creates a vivid sensory experience for the reader/listener.

The song, Misery Business by Paramore, accurately portrays several examples of imagery. One example includes when the lead singer, Haley Williams, says "She's got a body like an hourglass it's ticking like a clock. It's a matter of time before we all run out." This is an example of imagery as the body of a character pertaining to the plot unraveling is being vividly described. It's also an example of imagery because it describes and re-creates a lively sensory experience for the reader/listener.

Another example of imagery in the song, Misery Business by Paramore, is when Williams says "I watched his wildest dreams come true. Not one of them involving you." This is an accurate depiction of imagery because it delineates a broad yet eloquent picture in the reader/listener's mind. This line can initiate various thoughts in many readers/listeners due to the nature and frequency of the relevance of this song and line to high school drama.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Performance Arts Project

I'm planning on creating a short story with the influence of the song, "Wonderwall" by Oasis.

Today is gonna be the day
That they're gonna throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realized what you gotta do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do about you now
Backbeat the word was on the street
That the fire in your heart is out
I'm sure you've heard it all before
But you never really had a doubt
I don't believe that anybody feels
The way I do about you now
And all the roads we have to walk along are winding
And all the lights that lead us there are blinding
There are many things that I would
Like to say to you I don't know how
Because maybe You're gonna be the one who saves me ?
And after all
You're my wonderwall
Today was gonna be the day?
But they'll never throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realized what you're not to do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do
About you now
And all the roads that lead to you were winding
And all the lights that light the way are blinding
There are many things that I would like to say to you
I don't know how I said maybe
You're gonna be the one who saves me ?
And after all
You're my wonderwall
I said maybe
You're gonna be the one who saves me ?
And after all
You're my wonderwall
Said maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
You're gonna be the one that saves me
You're gonna be the one that saves me