Popular Styles
For this paper I decided to write about and present the song I’m Still Standing with music by Elton John and lyrics by Bernie Taupin, the song is a single from the Too Low for Zero album. The song I’m Still Standing is performed by Elton John, the album along with the songs is a reunion of both the song writer and musician after being apart for seven years from working with others. There is two ways to view this song and many audience listeners view the expression of this song to be pretty straightforward; it is about standing your ground in the face of adversity. Elton John who was a homosexual being the muse of this song and showing everyone that he is resilient and going to be just fine. Other listeners can view this song as overcoming a relationship and being ok in the end. Either way that listeners paint the picture the song is strong in its message of resilience and staying strong. While I’m Still Standing is one of the more well-known songs on the album, the whole album covers the context of overcoming life and love, as the Rolling Stone review says , “[Too L...
Music is regarded as a method of passing a message. Though some songs do not intend to do that, the message in them is still perceived. The song, “Get up, ...
In today’s society, people are taught to conform to the masses in order to fit in; however, it is imperative that one’s individuality is maintained, as it preserves their identity and encourages uniqueness. For example, in the song, “Outside of a Small Circle of Friends”, Phil Ochs discusses the social norm where people are too afraid to stand out, often times, leading them to pay little to no attention to the wellbeing of others. Instead of adhering to their own judgment and moral values, the person in the song continues to abide by the notions of the rest of the group. In addition, in “The Dying Girl that No One Helped”, Loudon Wainright describes the brutal murder of a young 28 year old women, while over 38 of
Princess Diana at the time of her death was arguably the world’s most renowned celebrity. Privately, Diana felt she was just an ordinary person; however, she was much more. She was known to be an advocate for the helpless and the hopeless. Diana’s influence was felt worldwide through her vast humanitarian activities, which consisted of working with and starting many charities. Diana used her royal title and her celebrity to raise awareness about many forgotten or overlooked causes. As a result of her worldwide travels, Diana became the people’s princess and the public was intrigued with her devotion, consideration, and graciousness. Diana’s wide and profound influence is seen in how popular Elton John’s tribute song “Candle in the Wind” was. In fact, according to Recording Industry Association of America, it became the best-selling single of all time (RIAA). Elton John united the world’s feelings of loss in his song “Candle in the Wind,” and though his purpose was generally ineffective, through his use of diction, imagery, and emotional tone he was able to speak for a world that lost its princess.
In today’s world, celebrities are often misunderstood, especially singer/songwriter Robin Rihanna Fenty, referred to as Rihanna. Rihanna’s sexual behaviors in her videos have been talked about in negative ways for some time now, but what [eople do not understand is that it is all for fame. Celebrities will do anything to keep their career going strong. If one really took the time out to take a deep look at Rihanna, they will notice how humble she really is. After going through the abusive relationship with Chris Brown, Rihanna has struggled with gaining that strong confidence with who she is. Her critics believe that she is still trying to discover herself and figure out who she really is as a person. Rihanna is often given two choices, to do what she is being asked to do, or throw her career out the window. She either gives the crowd the sexual acts they want or let her career die down. In the song “S&M,” Rihanna was really exposing herself to the crowd, as well as “Good Girl, Gone Bad.” She is basically telling the crowd that this is the person she is, but is it really? For my original piece I will be creating a journal, expressing the feelings Rihanna felt as she overcomes her struggles. Rihanna’s sexual behaviors in her videos are really all for fame and therefore, are easily misunderstood.
Beginning with the lyrics in the opening scene of “We Found Love”, a female voice speaking about being in a domestic violence situation and the difficulty she is having deciding between staying with her partner or leaving. The statements; “you almost feel ashamed that someone could be that important, that without them you feel like nothing,” and “when its over, you almost wish you could have all that bad stuff back, just so you could have the good” (We Found Love, 2011) depict the power that the man has over this woman, even in situations where she is being victimized. This theme continues throughout the music video as the male character is se...
In life there are times when things go wrong and you are out of fortune. The only way to evaluate your self-identity and character is to get back up on your feet and turn your problems around. In this memoir, A Place to Stand, Jimmy Santiago Baca (2001), demonstrates his adversities throughout his life. Baca’s parent was a big influence in process of creating his own identity. He encounters many obstacles as well as meeting a wide range of different people in society in positive and negative ways. At times in his life, he feels, the world is his worst antagonist. However, Jimmy has overcome the challenges he faces. Baca experiences challenges and difficulties during his youth and prison; However, he managed to overcome
If felt like I was drowning. One day I woke up and realized that I’m here for a reason and I’m not going to give up that easily, which is why I picked the song “Hero”. I finally was starting to realize why I was here and things were starting to become clear but I still needed help to get out of the funk I was in. I picked the song “ Hall Of Fame” because this song means that, whoever you are you can be anything you set your mind to. If anyone says you can 't, take that as a challenge to prove them wrong. This song represents the part in my semester that I realized I can’t just sit around and wait for someone to get me out of my funk I need to pick myself up and get out of it myself because I was meant to be here and I need to do whatever I could to succeed. The reason I picked the song “ Survivor” was because I survived the funk I was in and didn’t let it get to me. This song talks about surviving without a certain person but I’m looking at it in terms of me surviving that rough time of my semester and getting myself out of it because I am strong and I will make it through college. “Stronger( What Doesn’t Kill You)” was the next song I picked because at this point in the semester I realized that college isn’t going to be easy and I shouldn’t expect it to be easy because like the song says “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. I
CSNY is profoundly successful in conveying their message in the song by using the right lyrics and vocals accompanied by the tune of the guitars. “Helplessly Hoping” can be interpreted in so many ways that in either way it, nonetheless, will insinuate on the same thing, which is love. As they put it love is not lying, and it will always be around. Listening to the song can put one in an emotional roller-coaster that its theme can be known beforehand. This perplexed relationship describes the essence of love, and its implications. It reflects on how love can be capricious, which gives a sense of mystery. The harmony of the group in the song makes it one of my favorites, and puts it in my top list of love songs in all times.
For many of us, one of the most accurate and effective ways to express the feelings that really matter to us is through music. We don’t only grow to attached to songs that are catchy, but also those with lyrics that we can relate to. It is not uncommon to feel like sometimes, artists can convey the way we feel better than we could ourselves. The storybook-like lines you read at the start of this page are a collection of lyrics
“I Will Survive” sung by Gloria Gaynor was a song about overcoming a difficult situation or moving on from a difficult situation. Often time’s people believed it was a female liberation song about getting over a difficult love affair yet over time it has become an anthem for everyone. When I listen to the song I do feel empowered, it makes me feel like I can make it through any situation. The late 1970’s when the song came out was a turbulent
Paul McCartney’s “Another Day” is the song i chose to analyze. Within the song there are three main themes I took notice to. The themes I have chosen are discovering self worth, the yearning for varitey and the third theme relates to the previous two in that if a person is lacking meaning then they often become tired and fed up with living. McCartney was able to successfully weave them into each other to effectively tell a story of a life of one women by explaining her daily habits. For the most part these themes are easy to recognize because they are easily relateable in any person’s life. “Another Day” is about the feeling of boredom with life and the constant struggle to find happiness. The themes of boredom, uselessness and sadness are so common and universal making the song itself timeless.
In Coldplay’s song, “Paradise”, the songwriters use exaggerative language, personification, and rhetorical techniques to tell the story of a little girl’s escape from the harshness and disappointment of reality. The listeners of this song are treated to a beautifully written story about a girl’s maturity through the struggles and disappointment that life has offered to her. Some of the most effective ways that the songwriters explain the plight of the girl are when they attach the listener emotionally with her plight through their use of exaggerated language and personification. Ultimately, the girl copes with her situation and shows signs of maturity; which, enforces the emotional connection that the audience feels with her.
In 1997, England was in mourning with the death of Diana Spenser due to a tragic auto accident. Elton John, rewrote his version of the song, “A Candle In The Wind”, originally scored in 1973, as a tribute to her memory. England as a whole was brought together by grief over her death. Diana was a renowned humanitarian who was a captivating figure to the world. John and Diana were very close friends and when he found out about her death he created a touching tribute to his fallen friend. The song itself sold over 11 million copies and was named top selling single of the century (RIAA). Elton John captured what Diana’s life meant to England in his song “A Candle In The Wind”. His choice of lyrics, tone, imagery, and though without speaking about her just causes, clearly created a vision of what Diana meant to her country, and was a touching tribute to her life.
This articles brings lyrics from a song that was previously considered offensive, which is now clean by today’s standards, and effectively argues for freedom of speech.
Music can move a person in incredible ways, whether by healing, inspiring, saddening, or even angering. But when a song touches in a positive way it imprints a lasting memory of itself in the heart and soul. That might explain why some of the most classic and popular songs through the centuries are love songs. The creative ocean of love lyrics and melodies is probably as vast as a Universe and among the shining stars are two humbling songs that will continue to move the emotions. "Somewhere out there" and "Dreaming of you" are two musical creations that have planted a lasting impression in many people’s heart.