Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Songs Can Be Elegies, too
Pick a song that you would consider to be an elegy. Post the name of the song and the artist/band in response to this post, and explain why you think it's an elegy. Your response need not be long, but it should include a few lyrics to illustrate your point. 5 ec points--you must post a song by Thursday if you want the points.
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Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton
ReplyDeleteThis is an elegy because the inspiration to write this song was the death of his son, who died from fell from their high apartment building. Knowing this, the lyrics portray thoughts he has if he had the opportunity to see his son again. "Would you know my name, If I saw you in heaven" which shows that he lost his son at too young of an age that he wasn't able to develop a strong relationship with him. "Beyond the door /There's peace I'm sure. /And I know there'll be no more.../Tears in heaven ". This represents how he knows his son is in a better place and that he is resting and is joyful in heaven, his new home. Therefore, this songs messages to his late son make this song an elegy.
Ian Glazman (won't let me sign in)
ReplyDeleteHurt-(lyrics by 9 inch nails) Covered by Johnny Cash.
When Johnny Cash covered this 90's grunge song, in late 2003/early 2004, his wife, June Carter Cash, had recently passed away. The raw emotion and pain coming through Cash's voice carry the pain he felt at her passing. To him, she was his one and only love. He had left his previous marriage to marry June, and led a happy life with her, recovering from a multitude of substance abuses with her help. after her passing he began to lapse back in to substance abuse and literally saw no reason to carry on. The opening lines of the song convey this very well, "I hurt myself today, to see if I still feel." Johnny Cash passed away only months later from a lack of will to live. His elegy to his wife is present in the pain in his words, though never overtly stated in the lyrics.
Justin Labrado
ReplyDeleteThe song I chose to write about for this assignment was Leaves from the vine, by Andrew Huebner.
Although the song is sung by a fictional character, it is still an elegy nonetheless because of it's mournful lyrics and its slow rythm. The song is sung by a general who's son died during a battle that he was in command of. The general sings the song at his son's grave, and recites the lyrics "Leaves from the vine, falling so slow, like tiny fragile shells drifting in the foam." The leaves in this song are a metaphor for his son's life, and the lives that will be effected by the death. The fact that Huebner compares the leaves to "fragile tiny shells drifting in the foam" means that the leaves, are indeed fragile, therefore heavily effected by the death of his son. The fact that they are "drifting in the foam" simply means that they are powerless against the tides of war, and/ or death. At the end of the song, the general sings "Brave soldier boy, come marching home" This is where Huebner integrated some irony into the elegy. As stated before, the general's son is dead, yet at his grave sight, he wishes him a safe journey home from war. This shows that the general is regretting ever sending his son into battle, because if he had not, the "Brave soldier boy" would have marched home.
Ice On Her Lashes by Brooke Fraser
ReplyDeleteI consider this song an elegy because it is about the cycle of grief in life. In the verses Fraser vividly paints different stages/scenes of grief in several characters' lives. (V1 "The lone woman stands in the turning December...And the heart she feared frozen. Still beats and still marches on" V2"A gentlemen waits on a platform in a haze of gray and grief"). In the chorus, Annie, a character in this lyrical narrative is possibly someone who died or left the speaker/singer forever because she sings about living through days, months, and years without Annie. Lastly, the bridge is a directly addresses grief and pain, "Did you find it hard to breathe at first?
Were you wounded and in disbelief at how much it hurt?Now the ache's still burning, but the world's still turning Isn't it?"
Who I Am Hates Who I've Been
ReplyDeleteRelient K
This song is a reflection on oneself, going into deep thoughts on what the speaker should/should not have done with their life this is shown with the lines "That it's the very moment that/I wish that I could take back".
In the next lines, "I'm sorry for the person I became./I'm sorry that it took so long for me to change./I'm ready to be sure I never become that way again/'cause who I am hates who I've been", he is mourning for himself and to the one/s he is speaking to. This is an elegy because the speaker is reflecting on himself as a person who has faults and has previously hurt someone of great importance to him. With that, he is saddened by the mistakes he has made and chooses to admit to them.
Inside The Fire by Disturbed
ReplyDeleteWritten by the singer/song writer of Disturbed, David Draiman, Inside The Fire can be seen as his elegy to a lost girlfriend. In his teenage years, Draiman had a girlfriend that had committed suicide, and only in 2008 did he feel ready to let it go, and so he wrote Inside The Fire. Throughout the song, Draiman sings as though he is repeating what Satan is saying into his ear, as he is singing "Give your soul to me/For eternity/Release your life/To begin another time with her/End your grief with me/There's another way/Release your life/Take your place inside the fire with her". This is basically seen as the devil telling Draiman that the only way he can be with her again is to kill himself as she did. The title, Inside The Fire, is an allusion to Hell, which is both supported by Satan speaking to Draiman and the opening lyric "Devin/Won't go to Heaven" which follows the Christian belief that people that commit suicide are condemned to Hell, as Devin (the deceased) is. The entirety of the song is David Draiman's way of expressing how much grief he felt when he learned of Devin's suicide and his way of working through it. The fact that it took him over twenty years to write this song compounds the fact that her death had a profound effect on him and that he may have seriously considered what he mentions in the song as a way "to begin another time with her".
"Heaven Got Another Angel" by Gordan Garner
ReplyDeleteThis song is an elegy because it written to a significant other of the speaker. Garner says, "heaven got another angel the night you left the world behind" as a euphemism for they died. The first verse of the song expresses that the speaker feels dull and gray without his significant other. The speaker continue with this tone of blueness from the first verse to the chorus repeated after the second verse. The speaker says that, "the roses aren't as pretty/ The sun isn't quite as high.." to show that without their lover, the world is depressing. The significant other that died was really special to this speaker since he express that, "Heaven got a little better the day that it took [her] away from me." In the chorus,they express how they will miss their lover and have this hope that they "see [them] again sometime." The last verse is the volta of the song because the speaker has a uplifting tone. The speaker is has a more hopeful and positive outlook on life because they, "understand how precious life can be" and they are, "noticing the wonders of this world/ [they] love with a little more hope." The speaker ends with the chorus and cherishes her. They close their eyes and, "dream of heaven tonight" hoping to see their significant other someday.
The Suburbs by Arcade Fire
ReplyDeleteI consider “The Suburbs” by Arcade Fire to be an elegy because it is a reflection on the disbelief and grief that comes with growing up. The whole song is based around growing up in the suburbs and enjoying time spent having the freedom and the fun times associated with being a kid. Also, the song describes how as people grow older they begin to change and those fun times they had as children will only remain as just memories. The tone of Win’s voice throughout the song is somber and reminiscent. The chorus, “Sometimes I can’t believe it/I’m movin’ past the feeling,” is Win Butler (the writer of this song) expressing how he can’t believe that he has grown up and is saddened by the fact that he will never be young as he was again. In addition, I think the line “But in my dreams we’re still screamin’ and runnin’ through the yard,” is describing how Win repeatedly wishes he could go back to the fun times he had when he was younger. Furthermore the lines, “Under the overpass/
In the parking lot we're still waiting/It's already passed/So move your feet from hot pavement and into the grass,” describe how the stress and matters of the real world take young people growing up by surprise but it is necessary for them to adapt to these changes as it is a part of life. “It's already passed,” is saying that the worries of the real world are already here, and “So move your feet from hot pavement and into the grass,” is basically talking about making the transition from the life you know when you’re younger to the life out in the real world.
Another One Bites the Dust- Queen
ReplyDeleteThis is an elegy because it is about people dying. As "another one bites the dust" "to the sound of the beat," lives are lost. John Deacon, the bass guitarist that wrote the song, could be referring to war and how it causes death and the loss of many aspects of life like family and community. The "bullets rip" people's spirits apart and cause all these casualties which the song pays tribute to.
Only the Good Die Young - Billy Joel
ReplyDeleteNot only is the title a reference to death but Billy makes several points in his lyrics. As They say there's a heaven for those who will wait. Some say it's better but I say it ain't", Billy makes a reference to heaven which is spiritually connected to heaven. He is also telling us to spend our lives filled with fun and enjoyment instead of being locked up and waiting for it. Joel wants to persuade audiences that the "good" will die young mentally because of their confinement and lack of freedom. Death internally is just as bad as externally. Well maybe not as bad. Billy also says, "You Catholic girls start much too late, The stained-glass curtain you're hiding behind, Never lets in the sun". Again Billy is representing a spirituality by using religious influence his song. Instead of grimacing at the thought of death, Billy encourages others to get out of their entrapped lifestyles and spend time in the real world which is more worth it. Otherwise, you'll die.
Candle in the Wind by Elton John
ReplyDeleteThis song is because it's about the death of Norma Jean (Marilyn Monroe). Elton Johns says, "Goodbye Norma Jean, though I never knew you at all. You had the grace to hold yourself, while those around you crawled". He also describes her life when he says "And it seems to me you lived your life, like a candle in the wind", which gave to the title of the song, Candle in the Wind. In the lyrics, he talks about the life of Marilyn, how she became famous in Hollywood, and how she became a symbol to others. The message in his lyrics is that although he didn't know her at all, he is still honored to have known about her and that she will always be remembered.
Art is Dead – Bo Burnham
ReplyDelete“Art is Dead,” while not about a person's death, is still an elegy where Burnham mourns the current state of entertainers. Burnham likens a performer to a little spoiled child “never understanding or learning/that every day can't be about him” and that he is “rewarded for never maturing”. Burnham further states that the common mindset among entertainers is that if “people think you’re funny/how do we get those people’s money?” Burnham is also mourning the death of generosity and kindness in those who gain fame. Additionally, Burnham mourns the god-like status celebrities seem to gain, and wishes that wasn't so, saying “I am an artist/please don't revere me”. Burnham knows that as an entertainer himself, he could just as easily lose himself in his greed. However, the song ends with a glimpse of hope - “but I’m just a kid/and maybe I’ll grow out of it”.
THIS POST IS FROM NEMIAH. SHE WANTED ME TO POST IT FOR HER.
ReplyDeleteSomeone like you by Adele is an elegy, from my point of view because she is mourning and finding a way to coup with the death of her recent relationship. The songs in the album including "someone like you" was written by Adele after a tragic break up between her and her long term partner. She tries to convince herself that she wasn't good enough for her in the lines " I heard thar your dreams came true/ I guess she gave you things I didn't give to you". Although it has been a long time, "I heard you've settle down", and she says that he's "married", she is still trying to recover and is still in the state of grief since she says "but for me it isn't over". The chorus is sort of a recovery stage because she states "never mind i'll find someone like you" and she wishes him goodluck, but in the end of the chorus she explains how the love still hurts imstead of lasting. Also her mournful state and unhappy state is backed up by the last line of the bridge, "who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?"
The Way by Fastball is an elegy because of the song's inspiration. The song revolves on the story of an old married couple who were on their way to a Christmas party when the car they were traveling in broke down. The two decide to go on foot, but were never seen again. In this way, Fastball pays tribute to them by singing "Anyone could see the road they walked on is paved in gold, it's always summer, they'll never get cold,They'll never be hungry
ReplyDeleteThey'll never get old and gray,
You can see their shadows wandering off somewhere,
They won't make it home but they really don't care,
They wanted the highway,
They're happier there today, today" to say that wherever they are, they are in a better place and that they con find contentment in losing touch with the world. Also, the haunting repetition of, "Where were they going without ever knowing the way" serves to emphasize the mysterious nature of their disappearance. It will never leave your mind @_@
Nobody Told Me by Barzin
ReplyDeleteThe album Notes to an Absent Lover from Barzin is an elegy dealing with the feelings experienced after a break up. The first song on the album, Nobody Told Me, reveals the feelings of a partner directly after breaking up with someone. In the first two lines Barzin says that he “awoke in a stranger’s house” and “did not feel like myself” because now that he has lost his partner, someone who completes him, he feels as if he is a different man. Barzin reveals the reason for this feeling of incompleteness in the next two lines, “a pretty girl with auburn hair.” He is trying to “forget” her, but “yet she still remains” and has an everlasting impact. In the chorus, the repetition of the words “Nobody told me forgetting could be so hard” show that thoughts of this woman are stuck in Barzin’s mind and that “forgetting” is “so hard.” In the next lines Barzin “drove around” to try to forget about this woman, but without fail “longing came and took me back, back to her.” He wonders “how long before she’s gone” and when will he be able to get over her. Finally, the chorus comes on again to reiterate the fact that no matter how much he tries Barzin cannot forget about his ex. Barzin’s Notes to an Absent Lover is an elegy because it deals with the emotions that come with the death of a relationship.
"Never Falling Down" by Living Legends is an elegy, because each member of the group speaks about an incident that they either experienced first hand or witnessed within their life time that often revolves around people who have lost all that they could (lives, money, relationships, etc), but continue to live on and be strong each day (hence the title). One part of the song includes "I'm hella irresponsible // I'm possibly the cause of my subsequent downfall // and now I take a pause and reflect on my karma and laws // I have ignored // all the signs that could cause a turn and redirect my preferred // course of action // before the curse of my ashes." This indicates that after all the immoral decisions the person made in their past, they mourn about the life they could have had. However, the song shows and emphasizes the recovery state of mourning, because the main focus of the song is that no matter what happens in your life that causes you to feel like you're located at your lowest point, you should always be strong because you'll get passed it.
ReplyDelete-Joshua Rivera
This is my post now haha
ReplyDeleteThe song Better On the Other Side by The Game feat. Chris Brown, P Diddy, Polow Da Don, Mario Winans, Usher & Boyz II Men is an elegy because it is a dedication to the late Michael Jackson. The artists that collaborated in this song dedicate their lyrics to their idol Michael Jackson. They all “look up to the sky and wonder why” referring to why God has taken someone they look up to. Michael Jackson has affected the hearts of not just these artists, but all of his listeners. Through the phrase, “We all Michael Jackson” he says how just because he is dead, him and his music will live on with all of his listeners. As they mourn over the death him, they “bow their head for a legend.”
Like You by Evanescence
ReplyDeleteAmy Lee, the vocalist for Evanescence, wrote "Like You" in memory of her younger sister who died at a very young age.Amy expresses the wish to commit suicide to join her sister in death as a way of coping, evident when she sings "I long to be like you/lie cold in the ground like you." The next line, "there's room inside for two" refers to the coffin in which her sister lies, blatantly implying that she wishes to be reunited with her dead sister. Misery in life and bliss in death is a motif present through the song. She longs to reunite with her sister who is buried below “far beneath [her] nightmares and loneliness.”
Jasmine Quesadilla
ReplyDelete"This Woman's Work" by Maxwell is an elegy that tells the story of a man who had just lost a lover. This song shows his grieving process. Maxwell keeps repeating "I know you got a little life in you left", showing that he is at first in disbelief and tries denying that she is gone by telling himself that she is still alive. As the song continues, Maxwell begins thinks to himself "I should be hoping, but i can't stop thinking//of all things that you wanted from me//of all the things that you needed from me// all the things that we should've given// but I didn't". This shows that Maxwell is accepting the fact that she is gone, but begins to look at all his faults and blame himself for her death. Maxwell ends the song with "Just make it go away". Maxwell is in final acceptance that she is gone, but he is in so much pain, he can not do anything about it, but to pray for it to go away.