Aim #2: SUCCESS
1. Jay-Z, "Big Pimpin'," Hip Hop, 2000 [warning!]
2. Kanye West, "Good Life," Hip Hop, 2007 [warning!]
3. Pink Floyd, "Money," Rock, 1973
4. Lady Gaga, "Money Honey," Pop, 2008
5. Drake ft. Trey Songz, "Successful," Hip Hop, 2009
Aim #4: LIBERATION
1. Augustana, "Boston," Rock, 2006
2. Agnes Carlsson, "Release Me," Dance-Pop, 2008
3. Far East Movement ft. Ryan Tedder, "Rocketeer," Electro Hop, 2010
4. La Roux, "Bulletproof," Electro Pop, 2009
5. Fefe Dobson, "Take Me Away," Rock, 2003
Along with the aim of pleasure, I thought the aim of worldly success was more prevalent than liberation. I had an easier time thinking up of songs that had to do with success because success and pleasure correlate. When I think of success, the first thing that comes to my mind is personal achievement or money. According to Hindu belief, success comes in three parts: wealth, fame and power.
The music video I liked the best out of the five success songs was “Big Pimpin’” by Jay-Z. I like how Jay and his entourage are on a huge, expensive yacht with the ladies showing off how much bling he has while he raps about his rise to fame. The video exemplifies success because he shows that he has all the money in the world as long as he keeps doing what he’s doing. He is, simply put, big pimpin’.
For the aim of liberation, I chose to embed the music video “Boston” by Augustana mainly because I love the song. However, the song does show a relation to liberation. It mostly talks about a guy who lost his love and wants to leave California and go to Boston to start his life over. He wants to be free because he doesn’t like how things are going for him so he gets up and moves, wanting to leave everything behind. I love the passion in this song, and the lead singer looks so truthful when he’s performing. And good-looking.
I wasn’t really surprised that I found it easier to find success songs than liberation songs, but I was surprised by how much I liked the songs about liberation more than the songs about success. The lyrics to the liberation songs seemed more honest and truthful. Although all ten songs have the tendency to be catchy, the songs of liberation gave me a lasting impression.
In Hindu belief, worldly success can have its limitations. Drive for success is insatiable when it is your chief desire because it is not really what you want. However, in American modern music, when success and fame is shown, listeners and fans are supposed to want the lavish lifestyles of these artists. Artists act as if they love everything about their fame and fortune. Another limitation is that achievements are temporary, but pop artists make it seem like their wealth is prolonged for the rest of their life.
I like how you broke down and looked further into the hindu belief of success. I also really liked how that you wrote about the fact that you personally liked the songs about liberation more then the songs about success. I feel the same way, the lyrics of songs about liberation leave you thinking about you own life and how you fit in with the world whereas songs that deal with success make you think about how you don't have what the artists are singing about you feel bad about yourself.
ReplyDeleteToula,
ReplyDeleteI never thought about it before, but you are certainly correct in your statement, at least I think so, about how long-lasting the effects of songs relating to liberation are. The effect of the songs does linger more, and I often feel that they are a bit more inspiration and urge the listener to take action and change they way one lives his/her life to one that carries a more meaningful edge.
Boston, by Augustana, is also one of my favorite songs, and I certainly agree with how sincere and heart-felt the singer appears in the music video. It's certainly a very powerful song, especially in regards to liberation.
I think that Jay Z's music is very interesting, because I think his growth as a person is revealed in his songs. For example, his "Big Pimipin' " song from earlier is probably a lot different from his other songs in modern day. However, I'm not very familiar with too many of his modern day songs. Perhaps you would be able to elucidate further.
Cheers,
Kunal
I think I'll go to Boston! I think I'll...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great chorus!!!!
Toulaphone,
First off, 10 points for using "Big Pimpin" in your assignment. Once again, more songs for success than liberation... however, why do people listen to it?
You did a really great job of picking somewhat unconventional liberation songs. "Boston" was a song that I would have never thought about - it is about liberation ultimately though. Also, La Roux's "Bulletproof" was a great call. I also didn't think of that one - but it's about liberation too. Overall, fantastic job... see you in class!