“The Blood Stained Banders” is an African American spiritual sung by Blind Jimmie Strothers. Strothers was a banjo and guitar player who was blinded by an explosion at the mines that he worked at. After being convicted of murdering his wife with an axe, he was sent to the state penitentiary. There, he was found by Alan Lomax and Harold Spivacke who were working on finding field recordings for the Library of Congress. They recorded multiple songs sung by Strothers, among which is “The Blood Stained Banders”, an original composition.
The movie Carved in Silence was a very provoking and eye opening documentary for me. It depicted the experience of the Chinese immigrants of Angel Island very well through the narration and the dramatic recreation. As an immigrant, the opening scene and the many stories told evoked many memories and reflections of my family 's journey and aspirations. The stories and descriptions in this documentary were very surreal because they were too hard to believe.
Frank Ocean once said, “When you 're happy, you enjoy the music. But when you 're sad, you understand the lyrics.” Why does one have to be sad to “understand the lyrics”? Evaluating a song and being given the ability to relate enhances one’s respect for the composer. For example, when one first listens to “Danny’s Song” by Kenny Loggins, they probably believe the song is about love, however, once a person analyzes the lyrics the realize that the song is actually a story of a couple who are having a baby boy.
Some even believe it is about the Kent State Shootings although the song was released years before that event occurred. Even though there is not strong evidence to back up this song's true meaning, it
The ending of this lyric relates to Chris Washington that later through the movie must not close his eyes in the sunken place and must stay woke to realize the situation he will shortly be put in. Peele introduces this song to inform the viewer that they must be socially aware and awake to avoid danger and being taken advantage of in life. This perspective can be for both the oppressed minority to become knowledged on their own rights and power. It could also be interpreted to the White majority to be awaken of the social issues around them and see beyond their privilege and white
“Beauty is not defined by your physical features, it is defined by the heart inside your chest and the love that flows through it. ”- Imania Margia. This meaningful quote written by Imania Margia explains the true significance and message shown through both the short story “Barbie” written by Gary Soto and “Pretty Hurts” sang by Beyonce. The short story “Barbie” written by Gary Soto presents a young girl named Veronica who learned from a young age, that in order to be pretty, you must fit standards and stereotypes- Barbie stereotypes.
Heartbreak Hotel is a song that was recorded by Elvis Presley and was written by a high school teacher named Mae Axton and a steel guitar player named Tommy Durden. It was recorded and released in January 1956 by RCA Studios. Elvis was only 21 and Heartbreak Hotel was his first song with the new record label RCA in Nashville, Tennessee. He recorded the song with his band the Blue moon boys. It was his first million-seller and the bestselling single of 1956.
Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine is a hybrid and communal text constructed out of varying poetic form accompanied by contrasting imagery, and historical events. Rankine, although the author of this text is not necessarily its narrator. She plays with prospective, switching the fundamental meaning of “you” and pulls from the personal experiences of her friends, colleagues, and surrounding community. Rankine is able to incorporate “an emphasis on impressionism and subjectivity in [her] writing”, blur the line between various genres, and “[reject] … elaborate formal aesthetics in favor of minimalist design”, which are the pillars of postmodern works (Klages). She utilizes historical and modern events such as the Jim Crow laws, affirmative
By doing this, Springsteen establishes credibility by making sure the listener can understand that this song is a tragedy and his life was doomed from
Streets of Philadelphia by Bruce Springsteen is a song brimming with different metaphors. This song 's mood is very pensive. The tone of this song is very allegorical. While Streets of Philadelphia at first read could be taken very matter of fact, it is when you spend more time analyzing the lyrics you are better able to see the deeper message. The theme of this song is to be very stoic in the face of the end.
I decided to write my paper on American Idiot because I was able to live through it and fully get a grasp on what was happening within society to make people feel the way they did during this time. The song American Idiot is in the
There have been many protest songs in the United States; the freedom of speech has contributed to powerful music and protest words that are written in song. The song that will be discussed throughout this essay is “American Idiot” by Green day. This song speaks volume about the uneducated “America” and puts emphasis on the destruction that reality television is making on the United States of America. Listening to the unspoken word and read between the lies, for that then you will understand. The song “American Idiot” was released during the 2004 presidential election, where George W. Bush was selected into office for the second term as President of the United States of America (source).
The song that I chose was “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. It was released in 2004, and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. It also hit number five on the Billboard Hot 100. Natasha Bedingfield has another popular song “Pocketful of Sunshine” and was really only popular in 2004-2006. You can find her songs on multiple 00’s playlists.
All music has multiple functions. While music can preserve artistic value, it can also simultaneously tell a story, bring people together, historicize, heal, and rejuvenate. Most importantly, however, it sends a strong message and stimulates strong emotions to the listener. The song, “Where is the Love” by The Black Eyed Peas, performs all of these functions. The song symbolizes the sociological conflict theory.
Introduction Roger’s and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music is arguably one of the most well known films that many can admit to watching at least once in their lifetime. People all around the world have found this musical inspiring, as it documents growth and hope amidst the horrors of World War II. This incredibly well written film is based on the story of the Von Trapp family who escaped Austria when the Nazis invaded it during the war. Part of what made this movie so interesting on so many different accounts was the music that accompanied the vivid and exciting scenes. Without music, many could agree that our world would be a sad, quiet, dull and depressing place.
