1.“The Sound” Switchfoot
This song is protesting against violence and hatred and supporting the John Perkins movement (protesting through non-violent ways and love). Switchfoot uses this song to talk about how there are so many problems in our world but that the only way to make a difference is to show people that you care about them and to love them, whether they are the victims or the oppressors. Just like with most of this group’s songs, it is not blatantly obvious what they are talking about, unlike so many songs today, you actually really have to listen to the lyrics. I picked this song because Switchfoot is one of my favorite bands and I really support the ideas of creating change through love.
2. “Change” Sean Kingston
Sean Kingston grew up in the slums of Jamaica, and needless to say, he experienced a lot of horrible things as a result. He wrote the song “Change” to talk about how he wants to make the world a better place so that kids don’t have to grow up in the same environment that he did but that he needs help. One man can’t change the world, but when people start working together, they can. One main strategy that he uses is to talk about a variety of topics; not everyone feels the urge to create change about the same thing so talking about different things affects more people.
3.“(Don’t) Give Hate a Chance” Jamiroquai
This song is about how, throughout history, we have fought wars, discriminated against minorities, and allowed hatred to rule our lives. Jamiroquai is protesting these actions, and is instead suggesting that we allow love to rule our lives, societies, and worlds. Although Jamiroquai never directly asks this question, they ask the listener why can’t we give in to love if we could give in to hate. This question really engages the listener and makes them answer questions about themselves. The reason that I picked this song is that it does not give you a specific call to action. Jamiroquai asks people to turn to love but they never say to what extent, their audience could show their love in any way.
4.“I Dare You to Move” Switchfoot
Switchfoot’s song “I Dare You to Move” is certainly a song calling for action. The group seems to have purposefully not clearly defined what they are taking a stand against, but it seems to me that they are protesting giving in to one’s fears. This song is all about “daring someone to move” getting them to take a stand against whatever it is they are afraid of and not letting it rule their lives. I think that this makes the song very powerful and it is the main reason that I love this song.
5.“If you’re out there” John Legend
In John Legend’s “If you’re out there”, he is protesting two major things. The first is war, this song is asking people to stand up and take action against it. The second thing that John Legend is protesting is ignoring the need to make a change. Like Sean Kingston, he is asking people to unite with him against war and against the horrors of the world, but unlike any of my other artists, John Legend is very direct in his asking all people to take a stand. This is what really makes his piece so powerful, he is not just saying that something needs to be done, he’s telling you over and over again to do it.
6.“Perfect” Pink
7.“One” Creed
8.“One Day” Matisyahu
9.“Shout” Tears for Fears
10.“Change” Carrie Underwood
No comments:
Post a Comment