Liberation
1. Sufjan Stevens, "Vesuvius", Age of Adz, Alternative, 2010
2. Joni Mitchell, "All I Want", Blue, Folk, 1971
3. Atmosphere, "Clay", Overcast!, Hip-Hop, 2007
4. Bob Marley, "Redemption Song", Uprising, Reggae, 1980
5. Sufjan Stevens, "The Transfiguration", Seven Swans, Folk, 2006
Success
1. 2Pac, "Amitionz Az A Ridah", All Eyez On Me, Hip-Hop, 1996
2. Eyedea & Abilities, "Act Right", E&A, Hip-Hop, 2004
3. Big L, "No Endz No Skinz", Lifestylez Ova Da Poor & Dangerous, Hip-Hop, !995
4. Radiohead, "Fitter Happier", OK Computer, Alternative, 1997
5. Snoop Dogg, "Tha Shiznit", Doggystyle, Hip-Hop, 1993
This half of the assignment required me to narrow my search down to certain kinds of music that touch on the themes success and liberation. Liberation was hard because it is kind of a broad subject. Liberation could be running outside naked, or in Hinduism's case, understanding and accepting your ultimate reality. The songs I chose were mostly about finding yourself, and understanding your destiny. Sufjan is a christian, so a lot of his songs hint at accepting Jesus Christ and God, and what it takes to live eternally with them in heaven. Hinduism's views on liberation are different than these songs. I chose songs that, to me, represented liberation. They touch on accepting fate, questioning the universe, finding love, and trying to please God while your alive. This, in turn, will lead you to an eternal life in heaven free of corruption, hate, and all of those bad feelings that make life on earth hard for people. That's what I believe to be true liberation, which is similar in a way to Hinduism in that I agree learning as much as you can about God and yourself will lead to this.
The success half of this assignment was much different. I narrowed my focus to hip-hop because I think it represents best what Americans believe to be success...money! Not only that, but being the best, owning the best stuff, having a lot of intercourse, basically just being able to live the life of riley, whereas Hindu's believe working hard at what you do will lead to more money, therefore success. I think both cultures, and a lot of the world, think that money is a huge part of success. Having money links to the pleasure aim because with money we can fulfill all these materialistic desires that come with the consumerism of pop culture in America. I threw in the Radiohead song because I think that's what a lot of Americans believe to be success.
“Fitter, happier, more productive,
comfortable,
not drinking too much,
regular exercise at the gym
(3 days a week),
getting on better with your associate employee contemporaries ,
at ease,
eating well
(no more microwave dinners and saturated fats)”
This song's totally creepy, but I like how it kind of makes fun of the “American Dream”, what we think to be success. A cookie cutter life, with a steady income and a lot of routines. This may be an Indian's idea of success, too, but to each his own. Overall, I think that the differences in American and Hindu ideas of success is apparent. I'm sure Hindu's don't just link success to just money, fame and power. Liberation is a success in their eyes and American's overlook that possibility.
I agree that our culture tends to put an emphasis on how money=success. Perhaps we are missing the bigger picture because money doesn't bring happiness but the hindu view of success seems to bring them happiness.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your reponse to this week's assignment. When it comes to today's music, I think that the hip hop genre really places an emphasis on money, cars and fame being success, which is different from the Hindu idea of worldly success, which is dignified.
ReplyDeleteI like how you expanded your view of liberation and didn't simply focus on just being free in the after life. People have different views on what they think liberation is, in this life and the next. Not everything is clear cut black and white.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post. It is kind of messed up that we (Americans) think of success as to how much money we have, how many homes we own, or how many cars that's in the drive way. But then again that's what the media portrays leading us to believe that is what's success.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the variety of music you used in each category. I agree that most hip-hop would definitely fit better into the Success category, yet there are always exceptions - and Atmosphere is a great example of an exception. Their songs almost always have a deeper meaning than your typical rap or hip hop song today.
ReplyDeleteI think your part on success is funny and accurate. I agree that liberation and success are different for each American compared to the Hindu view; I like how you expressed yourself with your taste and views in music. I like how you elaborated on why you chose specific songs and included lyrics. Oh, and nice Bob Marley!
ReplyDelete