Politics and Society, Point-CounterpointDecember 27, 2006 1:36 pm
Point-Counterpoint on Pop Protest Songs
The issue: Pop stars and how they address their frustration with the state of the world. Be sure to watch both the videos.
Point:
John Mayer, “Waiting on the World to Change.” Watch the video.
Lyric sample:
Me and all my friends
We’re all misunderstood
They say we stand for nothing
There’s no way we ever could
Now we see everything is going wrong
With the world and those who lead it
We just feel like we don’t have the means
To rise above and beat it
So we keep waiting (waiting)
Waiting on the world to change
We keep on waiting (waiting)
Waiting on the world to change
Its hard to be persistent
When we’re standing at a distance
So we keep waiting (waiting)
Waiting on the world to change
Counterpoint:
Sarah McLachlan, “World on Fire.” Watch the video.
Lyric sample:
Hearts are worn in these dark ages
You’re not alone in this story’s pages
Night has fallen amongst the living and the dying
And I try to hold it in, yeah I try to hold it in
The world’s on fire and
It’s more than I can handle
I’ll tap into the water
(I try to pull my ship)
I try to bring more
More than I can handle
(Bring it to the table)
Bring what I am able
Wow….very different approaches. Maybe an obvious indication of a generation gap between these two…I’d like to think most of our generation was more action and less victim, but I’m afraid he probably accurately portrays the mindset of many. Poor me….oh well…I’ll go on making millions and try to make it through and be the voice of apathy of my generation. Yes!
Comment by Hemphill — December 29, 2006 @ 6:56 pm
Nice post.
From what I’ve seen the millenial folk are more actively involved in solving social problems but may love authority too much. The Gen X’rs seem sceptical about the possibility of solving social problems but are even more sceptical about authority, which can make them formidable when they decide to take action.
Maybe a reconciliation mix would work best.
Comment by Tom Pratt — December 29, 2006 @ 10:07 pm