I'd like to play a game - a game of kings, in which each member shall relinquish their pre-existing duti...you know what, that isn't the game at all.
Let's try and take sentences, that seem straight forward and generic on the surface, and dissect the hell out of it. We will find meaning where there was none before. I'm going to shuffle my music collection, and randomly play two songs, and try to turn the first line in the song into something much deeper. Strap yourselves in, for the pompous and moronic.
'Twist and Shout' - The Beatles.
"Well, shake it up, baby, now, (shake it up, baby). "Twist and shout. (twist and shout)"
Looking at this deceptively simple first line, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the meaning pertained to some kind of romantic element - in which the singer is expressing interest in drawing the female (working on the assumption he is referring to a woman) closer to himself, to perhaps initiate a relationship with her. There is the implication that her presence is having a profound effect on him, with her dance moves especially demanding his attention. Of course, that's entirely incorrect.
We first must look at what the words truly mean, and the tone - the oddly apathetic start ("Well"), which is delivered with such force that brings on an entirely new meaning to the word, giving it force and a hint violence. Perhaps he is frustrated at this female, or feels a discussion is appropriate on the current situation of their relationship. The listener is then invited to play witness to this woman becoming 'shaken up', and to eventually 'twist and shout'. It becomes obvious at this point that John Lennon and Paul McCartney intended this line, and to extension the entire song as a metaphor for violence against women. The relationship this faceless male wishes to discuss is one based on power, abuse and ego.
This notion of a power hungry man distorting a vulnerable woman's psyche, forcing her into a situation where she can and will be abused is cemented with the background vocals repeating: "Shake it up, baby". An image is created where this woman is stripped bare of her strength and power, and dominated by this monster of man, who is using brute force to satisfy his poisonous and completely selfish wants and desires. He is dangerous and shows a complete disregard for the opposite sex, seeing them as only a pleasure device. The intended effect on the audience (though, mainly the male audience) is to instil the idea that abuse and violence against women is never the right thing to do, and any male who conducts in such apprehensible activities should be brought to justice and taught just how wrong what they have done is.
If you read the line again, it really becomes obvious that is the meaning.
'Can't Say Nothing' - Curtis Mayfield.
"Oh, yeah, one time for me. Do it"
No one can deny the racial turbulence that occurred during the late sixties and seventies. The barbaric, ignorant and inhumane treatment of African Americans from the primarily white culture of America was being challenged. The civil rights movement brought with it a new state of mind - a powerful, unified spirit was instilled in young African Americans, and hope brought to those who had been repressed for years (due to slavery, and lack of rights). Suddenly the idea of black politicians, successful businessmen and entertainers was becoming a reality - a feasible future, in which the rights of people were equal, not separated by colour.
Music was used as an outlet, with many black performers displaying their race and colour proudly. Artists such as James Brown would not shy away from telling the world that he was black, and proud. No longer forced to obey an idiotic regime, in which they were treated as second rate humans. Music was power - a tool and weapon. Used to calm the turmoil in major cities, during race battles, and to inspire millions to fight against their government - for an equal country.
It is on that note that we see Curtis Mayfield's song come into play. The strong, inspiring words of the first line, echo what a race thought of the current political, social and economic situation of America. He makes an emotional plea: "one time for me." - equal rights must apply to all people, no matter of creed, colour or religion. He invites the audience to feel his pain and despair that he feels, due to racism he has faced.
Bringing his point home strongly, that he wants change - he is demanding it, trying to make it obvious to the listener just how moronic segregation is, and how vital equal rights are to people. The colour of a man's skin does not define them - all men are created equal. He encompasses this mass of raw emotion and feeling into the simple, yet profoundly powerful combination of words: "Do it."
Translations:
"Well, shake it up, baby, now, (shake it up, baby). Twist and shout. (twist and shout)"
"Women are not meat, or some pleasure tool for men. They are people, and deserve to be treated equally. No man should use brute force to abuse their spouse. It boggles the mind that any man could treat a women so disgustingly in this day and age. It saddens me that this happens, that is why, I feel it is my duty to inform and hopefully educate men and people how to properly treat women (with respect and care) and the human race as a whole."
"Oh, yeah, one time for me. Do it"
"I see young children being turned from certain shops, schools and even water fountains just because of their race. It saddens me greatly to see this - these ignorant acts of misguided violence and stupidity. My skin colour doesn't define me, nor does it to anyone else. Race doesn't matter, we're all equal - we're all people."
That's what I reckon anyway. Probably correct.
*Of course, this is all a satire. None of this I honestly believe. Also, Mayfield is a master of funk and has the ability to pour some real emotion into his instrumental parts of songs. Impressive body of work that main possesses.
Let's try and take sentences, that seem straight forward and generic on the surface, and dissect the hell out of it. We will find meaning where there was none before. I'm going to shuffle my music collection, and randomly play two songs, and try to turn the first line in the song into something much deeper. Strap yourselves in, for the pompous and moronic.
'Twist and Shout' - The Beatles.
"Well, shake it up, baby, now, (shake it up, baby). "Twist and shout. (twist and shout)"
Looking at this deceptively simple first line, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the meaning pertained to some kind of romantic element - in which the singer is expressing interest in drawing the female (working on the assumption he is referring to a woman) closer to himself, to perhaps initiate a relationship with her. There is the implication that her presence is having a profound effect on him, with her dance moves especially demanding his attention. Of course, that's entirely incorrect.
We first must look at what the words truly mean, and the tone - the oddly apathetic start ("Well"), which is delivered with such force that brings on an entirely new meaning to the word, giving it force and a hint violence. Perhaps he is frustrated at this female, or feels a discussion is appropriate on the current situation of their relationship. The listener is then invited to play witness to this woman becoming 'shaken up', and to eventually 'twist and shout'. It becomes obvious at this point that John Lennon and Paul McCartney intended this line, and to extension the entire song as a metaphor for violence against women. The relationship this faceless male wishes to discuss is one based on power, abuse and ego.
This notion of a power hungry man distorting a vulnerable woman's psyche, forcing her into a situation where she can and will be abused is cemented with the background vocals repeating: "Shake it up, baby". An image is created where this woman is stripped bare of her strength and power, and dominated by this monster of man, who is using brute force to satisfy his poisonous and completely selfish wants and desires. He is dangerous and shows a complete disregard for the opposite sex, seeing them as only a pleasure device. The intended effect on the audience (though, mainly the male audience) is to instil the idea that abuse and violence against women is never the right thing to do, and any male who conducts in such apprehensible activities should be brought to justice and taught just how wrong what they have done is.
If you read the line again, it really becomes obvious that is the meaning.
'Can't Say Nothing' - Curtis Mayfield.
"Oh, yeah, one time for me. Do it"
No one can deny the racial turbulence that occurred during the late sixties and seventies. The barbaric, ignorant and inhumane treatment of African Americans from the primarily white culture of America was being challenged. The civil rights movement brought with it a new state of mind - a powerful, unified spirit was instilled in young African Americans, and hope brought to those who had been repressed for years (due to slavery, and lack of rights). Suddenly the idea of black politicians, successful businessmen and entertainers was becoming a reality - a feasible future, in which the rights of people were equal, not separated by colour.
Music was used as an outlet, with many black performers displaying their race and colour proudly. Artists such as James Brown would not shy away from telling the world that he was black, and proud. No longer forced to obey an idiotic regime, in which they were treated as second rate humans. Music was power - a tool and weapon. Used to calm the turmoil in major cities, during race battles, and to inspire millions to fight against their government - for an equal country.
It is on that note that we see Curtis Mayfield's song come into play. The strong, inspiring words of the first line, echo what a race thought of the current political, social and economic situation of America. He makes an emotional plea: "one time for me." - equal rights must apply to all people, no matter of creed, colour or religion. He invites the audience to feel his pain and despair that he feels, due to racism he has faced.
Bringing his point home strongly, that he wants change - he is demanding it, trying to make it obvious to the listener just how moronic segregation is, and how vital equal rights are to people. The colour of a man's skin does not define them - all men are created equal. He encompasses this mass of raw emotion and feeling into the simple, yet profoundly powerful combination of words: "Do it."
Translations:
"Well, shake it up, baby, now, (shake it up, baby). Twist and shout. (twist and shout)"
"Women are not meat, or some pleasure tool for men. They are people, and deserve to be treated equally. No man should use brute force to abuse their spouse. It boggles the mind that any man could treat a women so disgustingly in this day and age. It saddens me that this happens, that is why, I feel it is my duty to inform and hopefully educate men and people how to properly treat women (with respect and care) and the human race as a whole."
"Oh, yeah, one time for me. Do it"
"I see young children being turned from certain shops, schools and even water fountains just because of their race. It saddens me greatly to see this - these ignorant acts of misguided violence and stupidity. My skin colour doesn't define me, nor does it to anyone else. Race doesn't matter, we're all equal - we're all people."
That's what I reckon anyway. Probably correct.
*Of course, this is all a satire. None of this I honestly believe. Also, Mayfield is a master of funk and has the ability to pour some real emotion into his instrumental parts of songs. Impressive body of work that main possesses.
No comments:
Post a Comment