So while listening to music for fun is, in fact, fun, I think there is sometimes a more important message songwriters are trying to get across.
For this blog post, I would like for you to choose one of the themes we have been discussing in Of Mice and Men and then pick a song (can be any song but I would like it to be a song you actually know) that depicts that particular theme. Please copy the song lyrics into your blog and of course if you'd like to link a YouTube clip of a video, performance, feel free to do so. Your written response should focus on the connection between your song and one of the following themes:
- Sexism
- Discrimination based on Disability
- Powerful vs. Powerless
- Friendship
- Racism
- Right vs. Wrong
- Isolation/Alienation
- Classism
- Ageism
- The American Dream
Here is an example of a song that I think perfectly portrays traditional gender stereotypes...take a look!
Just a Girl
No Doubt Performance 1996
Different Views on the American Dream
ReplyDeleteThe song I chose is called “American Dream” by MKTO. This song depicts how the American Dream has changed over the years. They are saying that people are starting to think of a different version of the American Dream. The American Dream back in the 1950s was being able to own a house and start a family, however in this case the American Dream for the authors goes beyond that as you can see by this line “say goodbye to white picket fences, say hello to palm trees and Benzes”(Kelley 1). Palm trees I am assuming refers to Las Angeles the city where everyone is famous and Benzes which refers to the car Mercedes Benz. They want to achieve their own dreams and become rich and famous with hard work and determination. Another quote in this song is “We don’t want two kids and a wife, I don’t want a job, I just want a life”(1). This refers to the generalization that the American Dream before was just to find a wife, have two kids, and buy a home, but again they want to go beyond that and live life to the fullest. My ideal American Dream is just as it was in the 1950s where everyone’s main priority is to start a family. My goal is to get good grades find a well paying job, marry someone, purchase a house and then see where life takes me after that. I’m not interested in being famous or having a fancy car or house because none of those things are necessary to me. To sum it up this song is saying that that since “The world is spinning too fast for you and me”(Oller 1) the American Dream and people are starting to think of bigger and better goals.
Here is the link to the song MKTO-American Dream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPLeuBXoPXI
I agree with you that the American Dream is changing / changed over the past years. Back in the 1900's the dreams could be coming to America and living free and having a healthy family. Nowadays, It is mainly about being rich and famous, being a popular person; politician, celebrity, city figure, etc. The American dream should change since people's views change and technology changes.
DeleteI definitely agree that the American Dream takes on many different forms than it once did. Some people, like you, want to have a family and be able to support yourself, some people want to make lots and lots of money, and some people want to fulfill their dream of being a musician or an artist. I think that we are really lucky in America to be able to chase this "American Dream" and have little to no limitations on what we can accomplish if we make sacrifices and work hard, especially in today's day and age versus during the Great Depression.
DeleteI also agree that the American dream has changed over the years, and i believe that it was solely one thing that changed it. Money. Yes, people have valued money for years, but back then people came here for religious freedom or to start a family and that was the American dream. Today, I think the American dream is being rich. Just like you, I want my American dream to be the same as the people back then, to have and support a family.
DeleteI also agree that the American Dream is Different for everyone, and the idea of the American Dream has also changed over time. Everyone has their own dreams and hopes that they wish to accomplish and get to. Weather it is buying a house and having a family, or just being rich, we all have different views and that is okay.
DeleteThe American Dream is different for each individual, and is changing over the years as you mentioned. I believe that is what makes it so special because each person has their own idea in there head of what they can achieve with the opportunity they are given and the song you chose fits that theme.
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ReplyDeleteThe song “John Cougar John Deere John 3:16” Is the lyrical embodiment of the American Dream. The song speaks of a person growing up in America and all of the great American things that he does throughout his childhood. The song speaks about being free and doing what you would like to do, rather than what you have to do. The song talks about the many famous people that have defined the American culture, including Mark Twain, Don Mclean and Kris Kristoffen. The song talks about the American Dream, or at least the author’s interpretation of it. His view of the American Dream consists of Rock and Roll music, being a rebellious teenager, and never growing up. I believe that this is a good representation of the American dream because it shows what most, if not all Americans want: The freedom to do as they pleased. The life described in this video is what many Americans strive for each day when they get up and go to work each morning. They work hard trying to reach a point where they could act as though they did not have a single care in the world. Once they do that, they have reached the American dream. One thing that I happened to notice while listening to this song was that most of the things listed in the artist’s “American Dream” were also things that many children had lived through years ago. Perhaps this is because being a younger person is the American Dream. We could be living through the American Dream right now and we aren’t even realizing it. Perhaps, many years from now, we will all look back at our lives as we live them today and wish that we were back in those “good old days”. We take our lives as we have them for granted, which will become a choice that we will all regret later in life. Another thing that I noticed while listening to the song was that a lot of the song was about never growing up and becoming an adult. This, metaphorically speaking of course, may be the key to reaching the American Dream once we reach an older age: to act without boundaries and to cherish every day of our lives as if they were the last. A third thing that I noticed about this song was that all of the things listed were things that were from long ago, which may be a form of symbolism showing that all of the good things in life were slowly fading away, as there are so many musicians, actors and forms of entertainment that we begin to take it for granted. It also may be symbolic for the slow degradation of the quality of entertainment as time has progressed. Below this post there are two links. The first link goes to a website that shows all of the lyrics in the song “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16”. The second link goes to a youtube video of the song.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.metrolyrics.com/john-cougar-john-deere-john-316-lyrics-keith-urban.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snZsBXGjV2Y
Jake, I really love this song and I think your interpretation is spot on. I think it is interesting that you focus on age as a factor in achieving or at least thinking about the American Dream. I had really never thought about it or in those terms before.
DeleteAbove Us, Only Sky
ReplyDeleteThe song “Imagine”, written and performed by John Lennon, is a commentary about how people lose sight of what is important because of very material or unimportant things, and as a result, social injustice and inequality plague our world. I think that because of the lyrical broadness of the song, it can be applied to any injustice or event that has a negative effect on people, which is why I did not choose one specific topic on inequality and instead decided to comment on discrimination and social injustice as a whole. In “Imagine”, John Lennon, who describes himself as a “dreamer”, attempts to picture a world with people living in harmony, without the ideas that complicate it. Lennon first “imagines” a world without “heaven...no hell below us, above us only sky” (Lennon 1) and follows that with “nothing to kill or die for, no religion too, imagine all the people living in peace” (Lennon 1). I believe that spirituality is very important, but I do agree with John Lennon because I think that many forget that hate and war do not have place in religion, and because of this, religion can sometimes complicate the world instead of providing hope. In my opinion, people who are truly spiritual are about acceptance and love and generosity. For example, if a Christian person stands outside a gay pride parade with a sign that says “Burn in Hell”, to me it is not a very “Christian” thing to do, and if people were to live for the moment they were in, maybe they would begin to seriously doubt the morality of their actions. Material items, such as money, also tend to separate the human race. Lennon goes on in the second verse to say “Imagine no possessions...no need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man”(Lennon 1). I think that an idea Lennon is attempting to present in this verse is that if there were “no countries” or money or boundaries or borders, just “imagine” all of the events in today’s world or throughout history that never would have happened. Slavery is certainly one that sticks out in my mind, which gave life to discrimination against people because of the pigment of their skin. Most events that revolve around sexism, racism, making the wrong moral choice, or even choosing to alienate someone because they are different, spawn from very material or unimportant things. If everyone in the world could learn to see past what they appear to be to other people, forget about how much money they have and learn to accept that not everyone is like everyone else, I think that we would have a much more peaceful place to live. John Lennon concludes his song with “You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one, I hope some day you'll join us, and the world will be as one” (Lennon 1). The phrase that catches my eye in this line is “the world will be as one” because I think that social inequalities tear us apart as people and when (or if, but I am also a dreamer) the world learns to love, we will be able to come together as a people and not have to be concerned with inequality any longer. In conclusion, I think that in the song “Imagine” by John Lennon, the message is about how injustice and inequality are built on very unimportant, material things and how our view of right and wrong can often be clouded by these things, but when everyone learns to love and accept each other for who they are, our “world will be as one.”
Phew, that was some pretty deep stuff right there, music is pretty powerful
Link to the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVg2EJvvlF8
I agree on your views. Sometimes religion does complicate things rather than cause peace. For example a lot of bad things are happening because others believe differently and radicals just can't handle that. It does tear us apart, and some people can't see past different views and it just fuels them. When people start to be accepting, that is when we will have peace among us.
DeleteI completely agree that religion should not be a reason for war. People have different views and some may disagree with those views but you should be accepting towards them. Religion often causes disputes which in many cases can be violent. If you look at today's world, extremists in the middle east are killing others for what they believe in. Discrimination based on religion is a very serious theme today.
Deletei agree that this song covers most types of injustice, and it can be applied to most situations that involve the topic. this was a very controversial song when it was released, and i think this adds to the subject of social injustice in the world.
Delete“Social Justice through Music”
ReplyDelete“I’ll Be There” by The Jackson 5 is a well known song. Just from the title, you can see that they’ll be there. This song strongly portrays friendship, maybe not what the songwriter intended, but it can be. In the beginning part of the song it says “I’ll reach out my hand to you. I’ll have faith in all you do. Just call my name and I’ll be there”, those couple of lines are things friends should do. Friends should be there for you and have faith in all you do. A true friend would believe in you even if it seems crazy, they will always be there for you. Another part of the song says “And oh, I’ll be there to comfort you...I’ll be there with a love that’s strong. I’ll be your strength, I’ll keep holding on.” Another thing a true friend does is comfort you during troubling times and makes sure you are okay. “Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter. Togetherness, well that’s all I’m after”. It shows how we should, as friends, make each other laugh, enjoy ourselves and be together. There is no one else to be there for you but your friends, and they are the best people to be with. A friend that is true will be respectful of you and your beliefs and dreams, same as you would expect. You would expect them to be there for you also. They, as a friend, would start dreaming with you and them living a great life together and not alone. They would know your love is strong and can beat any sorrow you have. Throughout the rest of the song, it repeats the lyrics over and over. “I’ll Be There” is a great song that shows friendship, and without your friends, who will be there for you?
A link to “I’ll Be There”, a song about being a true friend and being there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg2vMrDzoXM
I agree with you that "I'll Be There" is a perfect song that describes a true friendship or relationship. I think that true friends will definitely "be there" for each no matter what, and this shows that they are not involved in the friendship for their own personal benefit. I was a huge Michael Jackson fan when I was little, and from listening to the song over and over, I definitely think that you described the meaning of the song perfectly.
DeleteI also chose a song to describe friendship, and "I'll Be There" is a great song to describe it. As you say, right from the title, you know that someone will always be there for you. George and Lennie both realize this and it makes you realize how fortunate they are to have each other.
DeleteWhen I looked up this song on YouTube and listened to it the first thing I thought of was my best friend. This is definitely a song that portrays friendship and how you can always depend on your friends to be there for you.
DeleteI agree that I'll be there is a perfect showing of what a true friendship should be. The lyrics and title sum up what friendship should be.
DeleteI thought this was a perfect example for friendship and that friends should be by your side no matter what and that it's a gift to have a true friend if you ever get to experience it because they comfort and cheer you up in times of need and give you wise advice in troubling times. I overall thought this was a great choice.
DeleteI believe that this was an excellent choice of song to portray friendship and that friends will always be by your side no matter the situation and will try to comfort you.
DeleteMusic Takes You Through
ReplyDeleteI chose the song “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars for two particular reasons. One being that it perfectly depicts George and Lennie’s friendship, and two being it has a deep, personal connection to me. Through hard times in my life I was able to listen to this song and it could make me feel better instantaneously better, and songs can do that to most people. As the song says, “You can count on me like one two three. I’ll be there,” and that is Lennie and George. This describes them so well because Lennie is there for George and vice versa. George may not want to help Lennie sometimes, but deep down, he knows he would never leave him. “Count on Me” says everything about George and Lennie, and the truth is, anyone should be jealous of their friendship, because it appears it will never end. One part of the song says something that I don’t think George and Lennie know. It says “And I know when I need it I can count on you like four three two. You’ll be there.” Although both George and Lennie know that they would do anything for each other, I’m not so sure that the other person knows it. Lennie would do anything for George, and we see this when he says he will go out into the woods and live without George. Instead of seeing it as a favor, George sees it as a nuisance and that Lennie should know he is to stay with George. So, I believe George does not realize how valuable his friendship is with Lennie. Steinbeck makes it seem as too though Lennie is George’s responsibility, his job, but in reality, George is just thankful to have Lennie by his side. Attached are two links. The first one is lyrics to the song, and the second is Bruno Mars performing it.
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/brunomars/countonme.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcde5ABlIEQ
This song also came to my mind when thinking about friendship. I too listen to this song when I go through hard times and it picks me up because it reminds me that I have friends that I can count on to help me out when I need them to
DeleteThis song is a great song about friendship. This song always reminds me of the amazing friends and how friendship is so important.
Deletei agree the song fits the theme of friendship perfectly. The lyrics much remind on Lennie and Georges friendship based on their actions and the words they say.
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ReplyDeleteYou’ve Got a Friend In Me: Toy Story
ReplyDeleteThe theme I chose for this blog was was friendship and I chose the song “You Got a Friend In Me” from the movie Toy Story. I Believe that this song shows a true friendship, much like the one that George and Lennie have. The song has parts about staying together through rough times and sticking it through. George and Lennie go through many hard times with each other, that they need to get through, and they do, through their friendship. George helps Lennie get out of all the trouble showing their connection. The song also says “there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you”, and this immediately reminds me of George and Lennie. George would do anything for Lennie to get him to a better place. Friendship is the focus of this song, and in the song there are many parts about sticking together. George and Lennie have been together for years showing their friendship. The song can be tied to any friendship that you may have. When I hear it, i think of all the friends I have had throughout the years and how close we got. The song reminds me of how your true friends will stay by your side no matter how far away they are. I have many friends out of state, and out of the region and this song shows how close we are because of all that we have gotten through together as friends. The theme of friendship is clearly visible in this piece of music, sometimes we take friendship for granted but we should not because at the end of the day no matter how far or how close we are to our friends we will always need them in our lives.
here is a link to the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHFy3YWpRx8
here is a link to the lyrics: http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/classicdisney/youvegotafriendinme.htm
This is a song that has most likely stuck with all of us since our childhoods and taught us the meaning of friendship. I agree with what you are said near the end of your comment about taking friends for granted. Sometimes I get mad at one of my friends, but then realize that I would not be able to live without them.
DeleteI agree when you said that true friends will stay by your side no matter how far away they are. I have a friend who lives in massacdusettes and we could go weeks without hanging out or talking and everything is okay.
DeleteI have known this song and thought that it displayed friendship very well ever since I was old enough to understand the true meaning of friendship. I have a friend who lives in Coventry and although we do not get to see each other often, when we do it is like we were together the day before.
DeleteI agree that this song has taught many of us the true meaning of friendship and when you said it does not matter how far or how close we are to our friends, we will always need them in our lives. When I have not seen a friend for a while we talk like that we have seen each other the other day.
DeleteI agree that this song helps describe the friendship that George and Lennie have. This song really describe the true meaning of friendship and it also helps people understand how reletable this song is to pretty much anything that deals with friendship. I don't think there is a better song that describes friendship more than this song.
Delete
ReplyDeleteClassism in music
“Price Tag” by Jessie J.
As we see throughout the novel, people are divided into classes based on how much money they have. George and Lennie are in the lower class with only $10 in their pockets and a mediocre job. Since the Great Depression was such a difficult time, I believe that there were only 3 classes of people. At the bottom were people who didn’t have a job and could barely survive. A small step up were the people who had jobs but even that could barely sustain them. This is the case of George and Lennie. Then there were the people who had money to spare and the economy did not jeopardize their lives whatsoever. Today, there is still classism but it’s much different. In today’s world it’s based off of what you wear, what kind of car you have, and many other materialistic things. This leads to discrimination based on classism. People will judge you and stereotype you if you’re not wearing name brand close or if you don’t have the newest iphone. Just because you don’t have these things, doesn’t make you any less of a person. This is exactly what the song’s message is. Basically she is saying that money can’t buy you happiness. There’s always going to be classism but if you have enough money to have a home, food, and clothing then you should be happy. People take that for granted. Kids today think that if they don’t have what everyone else has then they have a difficult life. Someone may have more money and nicer clothes than you but that doesn’t make them superior to you. She sings about how people need to stop being obsessed with what they don’t have and be happy with what you have. You can be in the lower class and still be happy and that’s all that counts.
Here is the link to the song
https://youtu.be/qMxX-QOV9tI
I agree with you and believe that now, it may not be you but we tend to cling to people with ore money because it clicks in our minds that money means power and the more money you have the more power you can making some seem superior. Which has humankind being classified by how much money you have, but like you said money isn't the root to all happiness.
DeleteI agree that people are very stereotypical based on money and what brands of clothing you wear. If you do not have the newest item or best brand of clothes you are discriminated against. I feel that Price Tag was a great song choice to write about and displays your thoughts well.
DeleteI agree that there is a lot of different stereo types based on money and that money really changes your life and the way you are classified and judged. You talked about how the money you have relates to hat kind of shoes and clothes you have and I think that that really shows a sense of classicism and separates people even though money should not like this.
DeleteI also agree with you that classism still exists today but like you said it's different. I liked how you talked about the great depression because it was a big part in classism.
DeleteI agree with you that both the middle and lower classes got hurt during the great depression, and that the rich did not have any major problems during the depression. I also agree that classism in the modern day is caused by what you wear and use, but I also believe that that does have to do with money.
ReplyDeletesorry, I meant to reply to Leah Ragosta's comment.
Delete“You’re the best friend I ever had”
ReplyDeleteThe song “You’re My Best friend” by Queen portrays Lennie and George's relationship quite well. As the song says “ I’ve been with you such a long, youre my sunshine,” This relates to Lennie and George’s friendship because they have been with each other for a while, and no matter what happens to them they always end up sticking together. George always find a way to calm Lennie down and to make him smile (the rabbits/ plans for the farm). I feel like this song relates to Lennie more than George, because Lennie is more fond of George then George is of him. For example in the song the lyrics state “Ooh you make me live, whenever this world is cruel to me, I got you to help me forgive.” I feel this only applies to Lennie because whenever he is in trouble George is the one to help him, like when he got into the fight with Curley George was the one who told him what to do and helped him beat Curley. Now if George was in trouble Lennie would be of no assistance since he has a disability and can barely help himself. Even though Lennie is a handful and doesn't seem like much help George is glad to have him around, he considers Lennie like a brother and would do anything for him. Below I have linked a video of Queen singing the song “youre my bestfriend.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAsPu-FTBsw
Music Through a Social Justice Lens
ReplyDeleteI chose the song House of Gold by the band Twenty One Pilots, I thought this might have fit well with the social injustice of right vs. wrong. This song is from the band member Tyler Joseph's point of view and how his mother simply asks for him to take care of her, as it says here… “She asked me son when I grow old, will you buy me a house of gold, and when your father turns to stone will you take care of me?” (This is repeated twice) She tells Tyler that she wishes for him to take care of her for when the time comes that his father passes and there is no one else who is willing. To which Tyler responds “I will make you queen of everything you see, I’ll put you on the map, I’ll cure you of disease.” Tyler is explaining that his mother is his whole world and he would do anything for her, to make her queen and cure her of disease. I thought this went with the social injustice of right vs. wrong because Tyler chooses to take care of his mother and love her unconditionally and some of us take advantage of our parents when they do everything for us and some of us fight with our parents sometimes not even knowing that it hurts them too. He chooses to do right by trying to be with his parents despite his busy schedule and touring. This line, “And since we know that dreams are dead, and life turns plans up on their head. I will plan to be a bum, so I just might become someone.” Tyler figures that it would gather more attention to act poor or troubled or willing to try anything in hopes to become rich to provide for his mother and family. We all make these big plans to maybe get out of this state, possibly travel or make it somewhere, but we sometimes don’t take it into consideration that our parents are going to miss us as we leave and might need a little support to rest comfortably. We always have to keep in mind of what our parents have done for us, what they’ve sacrificed to try to make us happy and try to give back to them in ways they would have done for us.
You Tube link to this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDyxykpYeu8
I really enjoyed reading this and it makes me want to check out the song! But I do understand where you're coming from in regards to our parents. We all lash out at one point but that doesn't mean our love for our family not just our parents is always always there.
DeleteWhere Is The Love
ReplyDeleteIn 2003, the Black Eyed Peas released a song called “Where Is The Love”. This song talks about racism and how there is no love between the races, between countries or between a stranger you see on the road. One section in the song sticks out to me; it is “But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate” (Black Eyed Peas)
This means that if you only like people with the same color you are creating hate between people have not done something to you personally. Another section that sticks out to me is
“People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach?
Or would you turn the other cheek?” (Black Eyed Peas)
People hurt people everyday, they kill, they bully, and they discriminate. It is not the right thing to do and this song asks people who chose to do this, where is the love? The song also asks what is wrong with the world. The world is only attracted to drama and likes things that bring trauma as the song also says. Even in school, teens bring the drama on by starting rumors that generate hate. One final section that stands out to me in the song is
“Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin'
In the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK” (Black Eyed Peas)
As a country, we try to stop terrorism and hatred towards our country coming from other countries. However, we cannot successfully do that unless we are united as one and stop discriminating against each other within this country. If you cannot get along with fellow U.S. citizens, how can we team up and stick up for ourselves against other countries? This song by the Black Eyed Peas was first played to me in 7th grade english class and I feel that it is a great asset to this blog seeing that it covers many topics of discrimination. A link to the full song is below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpYeekQkAdc
In my opinion, this song very well relates to Of Mice and Men. When the men refer to Crooks and the names that once used to be normal, but are now extremely offensive.
DeleteThe way Sarah explained how each part of the song relates to social injustices helped me understand why it relates to "Of Mice and Men". Even in today's society we see how terrorism effects a country and how we need to stay together to fight against it.
DeleteI choose the theme friendship
ReplyDeleteFor my song I choose “We are going to be friends” by The white stripes.
I feel this specific song would fit the topic of friendship because of it’s core theme of friendship. The songs slow and calm rhythm follows an average day of school for a child. In the song the child meets a friend on his way to school and walks with her and spends the day becoming friends with her. This song shows that friendship is not only a key component in not only children’s lives, but it can also be applied to the lives of people of any age. I feel that this song could be relatable to George and Lennie’s friendship because as we know George and Lennie have known each other for a long time and over this length of time have become very good friends. In Of Mice and Men George and Lennie are poor farm workers, moving from place to place after Lennie causes trouble. George states on multiple occasions that his life would be so much easier without Lennie, however even after he states this he still keeps Lennie around because they have been together for so long and are now great friends; even if George is almost always upset with Lennie. In the song the children stop on their way to school to play in a childish manner “Walk with me, Suzy Lee, through the park and by the tree, we will rest upon the ground, and look at all the bugs we found” I can relate this part of the song to Lennie because he acts in many ways like a child would do to his disability; However in many ways George is like a parenting figure to Lennie, in such a way that he is the one teaching Lennie right from wrong.
youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTu5ltfX2dw
Music through a Social Injustice Lens
ReplyDeleteI chose the song “Brother Sport” by Animal Collective and the topic for this song was friendship. I feel like this would be a good song for friendship because the song is about a brother who was trying to cheer up his little brother and overlook their father’s death. “ I know it sucks that daddy’s dumb, But try to think of what you want.” This is meaning that their father was not a great role model and for Matt to try to think of something that he will look up to to be called a role model. “ Open up your throat, Matt!” This explaining to let go all of his feelings and the burdens that he never let go and saying that it ate him up from the inside and made him who he is. Then they sing “you gotta get rid of your mourning, sort out the habits of your mind...You’re halfway to fully grown,You’ve got a real good shot, No help to hold inside, Give a real, Give a real shout out.” The singer in this line otherwise known as Matt’s brother is telling him that he still has a long way to lead his life in the right direction in order to be successful. This kinda relates to Of Mice and Men George and Lennie because George is always there for Lennie in tough times as Lennie is always there to comfort George which results to true friendship. Even though George may not want to help Lennie, deep down George knows that he will never leave Lennie. Also, we all have seen that Lennie is George’s responsibility, but we know that George needs Lennie as Lennie needs George and that each of them would do anything for each other. Below two links are attached one to the lyrics and the other one they performing:
http://www.metrolyrics.com/brother-sport-lyrics-animal-collective.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEzPId5AGpM
I like how your song focuses on a connection between an older brother and a younger brother and the fact that they need each other. I feel as though this is relevant because when I read OM&M, I see George and Lennie more as brothers than friends.
DeleteThe song i have chosen is “Lean On Me” by Bill Withers. This song strongly demonstrates friendship and how you are offering your friendship in exchange for someone else's. This reminds me much of George and Lennie. Throughout the story so far, several people have talked to George about how they find it quite unusual how George and Lennie travel together. George always says that is not weird, and that is much better to have someone always by your side, then to be isolated from everyone. That is what the lyrics in my chosen song are expressing; “Lean on me when you're not strong And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on For it won't be long 'Til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on” (Withers) Lennie and George give their friendship to each other because they know that one day they are gonna need a friend to help them through their times. George also says that men who travel alone get all fighting and that is not the life George wants for Lennie nor himself. The song not only relates to George and Lennie, but friendships everywhere. The song expresses, “If there is a load You have to bear that you can't carry I'm right up the road, I'll share your load If you just call me” (Withers) Everyone needs a friend in life. Some things we can handle on our own, however sometimes life does get hard and too much for some people handle and they are afraid to ask for help. But, there are people all around that you can ask for help and more than willing to help with whatever you are dealing with. Another reason why one may not ask for help is because they are to prideful as the song mentions; “Please, swallow your pride If I have things you need to borrow For no one can fill those of your needs That you won't let show” One should never be ashamed for needing help, friends are necessary for when times do get rough.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read your first sentence, I could not think of a better song to compare George and Lennie's friendship to. I believe that both Lennie and George "lean" on each other at one time or another and constantly need eachother's presence.
Delete“It’s America”
ReplyDeleteby: Rodney Atkins
I believe that the song “It’s America,” performed by Rodney Atkins pretty much sums up the American Dream. In this song, Atkins describes what his view of America is and how thankful he is to be living in a country like America. He describes how even though America is nowhere close to perfect or that we always make perfect decisions, it is still a great place to live. But, when others are in need, someone is always there to lend a helping hand. While describing a lemonade stand Atkins sings “oh what a picture perfect postcard this would make of America.” In another line, he sings “it’s a kid with a chance, it’s a rock and roll band, it’s a farmer cutting hay.” I believe that this part of the song gets across the message that you have the ability to do whatever you want in America and the possibilities are endless. You have the ability to try and be whatever you want, and if it does not work out you can always try something else. The American Dream for most people, is the hope that they will make better lives for themselves, and achieve great things. “It’s America,” clearly focuses on how America gives such great opportunities to people and the little things that make America special. Rodney Atkins not only portrays his version of the American Dream in his song, but also explains the great things that America has to offer. This is the link to the youtube video of this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZBrBJseyv0
I believe that this song does perfectly sum up the American Dream because it is true that the United States is far from perfect but your hopes and dreams can allow you to do incredible things. To have the ability to try new things is a great trait that a country can have.
DeleteThe song that I used was “even Flow” by Pearl Jam. This song describes classism because it describes a homeless man with nothing having to live with being shamed by the people. It describes how he lacks common knowledge like how to read, and how he is ashamed by the way he lives. A quote from the song that describes this well is “Oh, ceilings, few and far between all the legal halls of shame”. this describes how the man in the song rarely has a roof over his head or a place to live, and how he goes to the “legal halls of shame”, which I believe to be homeless kitchens/ shelters. I think this depicts classism because he describes these shelters as halls of shame. another quote that shows classism within the song is “Oh dark grin he can't help when he's happy he looks insane”. This quote says that when he is happy, he looks like he is insane. This displays classism because from other people’s point of view, they would assume he is insane and be ashamed of him, not knowing his position. A third quote from this song that shows classism against the homeless/ low class is “Thoughts arrive like butterflies, Oh he don't know
ReplyDeleteSo he chases them away”. This quote shows how the public views people like him. It describes him as not having many thoughts, and he does nothing with them when he gets them. It definitely shows how the public have a judgement based opinion on those types of people, even if they do not know what it is like to be them.
https://play.google.com/music/preview/Ttkgcpmtag6nngnrcjypl4nf3yu?lyrics=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=lyrics&pcampaignid=kp-lyrics&u=0#
DeleteI like the ways in which you connected the theme to quotes from the song. It gives a little bit of a more detailed connection between the song chosen and the theme it is compared to.
DeleteGod Bless the USA
ReplyDeleteThe song that I chose was "God Bless the USA" and the theme that it relates to his the American dream. The song is by Lee Greenwood and I think that he is describing what life is like being an american. The first lines of the son are "If tomorrow all the things were gone I worked for all my life And I had to start again With just my children and my wife." Greenwood is saying that he has worked hard all his life to achieve. I believe that that is the american dream. I think that the american dream is anything that any american wants. I think Greenwood says throughout the song that he is "proud to be an American" because he knows he is free. That is another dream that all Americans have. Their dream is to always be free and he says that there is pride in every Americans heart. I believe that that is true and that is what shows that the USA is different. The difference is that pretty much everyone in the USA are happpy they are here and love the freedom and protection they have. People often think of something else as the American dream such as things like owning certain things or earning stuff just by working hard. But I believe that the real american dream is the dream of being free and having a true love and happiness for the country. Lee also says that this sense of the american dream spreads everywhere by saying "From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee, across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea, From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA" He is describing all the places and how far the dream spreads. The lyrics to the song are in the link below.
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/leegreenwood/proudtobeanamerican.html
All in
ReplyDeleteThe song I chose is “All In” by Lifehouse. The reason I chose this song is because for me it represents friendship. My soccer team at West is based off the slogan “All In”. This is because it shows team unity and how we need everyone’s hard work and trust in order to succeed. This is shown in Of Mice and Men with Lennie and George. Lennie and George are friends that base their survival on each other. Without one another neither would be able to find work since without George, Lennie would not even be able to find work, and without Lennie George would not have the needed company of a hardworking and skilled worker. The bases of their friendship is much like the ideals of my team. Everyone is needed at all times and everyone must work together in a common goal no matter the abilities provided by each teammate. Teamwork whether it is between 2 people or 22 people must be cohesive and fair in order to work in which everyone considers themselves equal. One line that is repeated throughout the song is “I’m all in. Yeah I’m all in for life”, this shows how when a truly strong friendship comes about it is almost impossible to break that bond no matter what is said or done. When your are really friends, you will stay together through thick and thin to overcome battles. I experience this with my team because without everyone on the field the common goal of winning a game would be impossible, especially if everyone was not on the same page. This happens with George and Lennie where their common goal is to make a stake and buy a farm where they can live off the land. They will work together and risk themselves to make the dream possible for each other, much like my team.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1odkjJCA10c
Above is a link to the song “ All In” and below are the lyrics.
“All In"
All night staring at the ceiling
counting for minutes I've been feeling this way
So far away and so alone
But you know it's alright
I came to my senses
Letting go of my defenses
There's no way I'm giving up this time
Yeah, you know I'm right here
I'm not losing you this time
And I'm all in, nothing left to hide
I've fallen harder than a landslide
I spent a week away from you last night
And now I'm calling, calling out your name
Even if I lose the game, I'm all in
I'm all in tonight, yeah I'm all in, I'm all in for life
There's no taking back
what we've got's too strong,
we've had each other's back for too long
There's no breaking up this time
And you know it's okay, I came to my senses
Letting go of my defenses
There's no way I'm giving up this time
And I'm all in, nothing left to hide
I've fallen harder than a landslide
I spent a week away from you last night
And now I'm calling, calling out your name
Even if I lose the game, I'm all in
I'm all in tonight, yeah I'm all in, I'm all in for life
I want it, I want it, I want it
I want it, I want it, I want it, yeah
I want it, I want it, I want it, yeah
And I'm all in, calling out your name
Even if I lose the game, I'm all in, I'm all in for life
And I'm all in, nothing left to hide
I've fallen harder than a landslide
I spent a week away from you last night
And now I'm calling, calling out your name
Even if I lose the game, I'm all in
I'm all in tonight, yeah I'm all in, I'm all in for life
Yeah I'm all in, I'm all in for life
Zari Apodaca
ReplyDelete"Mother's Little Helper" by The Rolling Stones
For my blog post, the song I chose was a song I've known for a while now. Yes, I've always known what the song was about, yet never linked it with a social injustice. The social injustice I want to pair with this song are ageism and right vs. wrong. In the song, it tells about a mother who is struggling from whatever problems residing at home and then going to a medication for relief. The reoccurring line "What a drag it is getting old", I believe is the social injustice of Ageism. The band is making a stereotype that when you grow old, responsibilities and stress come along with it. Yet, it's not right to assume all people who are adults need something for example a drug or alcohol to cope. Most adults do become content with their lives but that doesn't mean life is easy because I am a strong believer in the old saying "Life isn't fair". However, Mick Jagger (lead singer of The Rolling Stones) warns the mothers he's directing the song to in the song that's it's not safe and it's wrong to take so many pills without a prescription. He sings, "And if you take more of those, you will get an overdose". I believe that taking pills or anything to mask feelings because you can't run from your burdens or your emotions. I think the Rolling Stones convey the problem our society faces of what is right and what is wrong into their song. Basically it's wrong to run away from any problem you face as the song says, "They just helped you on your way through your busy dying day". In Of Mice And Men, George chooses to ignore Lennie's disability and think if he pushes it under the rug, it'll be easier to get what they want. However you can't try and act like Lennie's mental disability isn't there because in reality, Lennie is a person too and deserves respect and humanity.
Here are the lyrics to "Mother's Little Helper"
What a drag it is getting old
"Kids are different today,"
I hear ev'ry mother say
Mother needs something today to calm her down
And though she's not really ill
There's a little yellow pill
She goes running for the shelter of a mother's little helper
And it helps her on her way, gets her through her busy day
"Things are different today,"
I hear ev'ry mother say
Cooking fresh food for a husband's just a drag
So she buys an instant cake and she burns her frozen steak
And goes running for the shelter of a mother's little helper
And two help her on her way, get her through her busy day
Doctor please, some more of these
Outside the door, she took four more
What a drag it is getting old
"Men just aren't the same today"
I hear ev'ry mother say
They just don't appreciate that you get tired
They're so hard to satisfy, You can tranquilize your mind
So go running for the shelter of a mother's little helper
And four help you through the night, help to minimize your plight
Doctor please, some more of these
Outside the door, she took four more
What a drag it is getting old
"Life's just much too hard today,"
I hear ev'ry mother say
The pusuit of happiness just seems a bore
And if you take more of those, you will get an overdose
No more running for the shelter of a mother's little helper
They just helped you on your way, through your busy dying day
Here's a link of the "Mother's Little Helper" album cover
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother%27s_Little_Helper#/media/File%3ALady_Jane.jpg
I agree that it is not right to assume that all adults need drugs or alcohol to go on with life. I like the song choice and how you connected it to the themes we have been learning about in class.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteSong; Friends Theme Song
"I'll Be There For You (Theme From Friends)"
So no one told you life was gonna be this way
Your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's D.O.A.
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year, but
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
You're still in bed at ten and work began at eight
You've burned your breakfast, so far things are going great
Your mother warned you there'd be days like these
But she didn't tell you when the world has brought you down to your knees that
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
No one could ever know me
No one could ever see me
Seems you're the only one who knows what it's like to be me
Someone to face the day with, make it through all the rest with
Someone I'll always laugh with
Even at my worst, I'm best with you, yeah!
It's like you're always stuck in second gear
When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
I'll be there for you
(When the rain starts to pour)
I'll be there for you
(Like I've been there before)
I'll be there for you
('Cause you're there for me too)
My song choice was “I'll Be There For You”, by THE REMEMBRANTS. This is also commonly known as the friends theme song. But after reading the lyrics in depth, I know realize how true friendship is being mentioned throughout all of the different verses. I am connecting this song to the Friendship theme. I am doing this because this song states that these true friends will always be there for each other through thick and thin situations. They will always have each others backs no matter what the situation is. For example, the song says, “I’ll be there for you ‘cause you're there for me too”.(The Remembrants). What this is saying is I’m always going to help you out, because you are always there to help me out. Overall, the song basically says that, there is going to be lots of hard times in your lifetime. But, your friends will always be around to help you through the rough days. Another example is, “When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year, but I'll be there for you” (The Remembrants). This shows a friend telling another friend don’t worry i'll help you out. Another quote is, “Someone I'll always laugh with Even at my worst, I'm best with you, yeah!” (The Remembrants). This part of the song mentions how friends can always find a way to cheer each other up, even when you are having a bad day. This shows true friendship because your whole mood can change depending if you have friends with you or not. To conclude, “I'll Be There For You” by, The Remembrants can easily be connected to the theme of friendship using the examples above. Here is a link to a video of the song. “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-9kPks0IfE”
Gift of a Friend - Friendship
ReplyDeleteThe song I chose was “Gift of a friend” by Demi Lovato focuses to the theme of Friendship. I feel that Demi Lovato is expressing that friendship is like the most important thing and I agree with her. The first line in the song is “Sometimes you think you’ll be fine by yourself” A lot of times in chapter one and two George says to lennie that he would have had a better life without Lennie. In chapter three they planned to have a ranch together just them two before Candy joined in. I don't think George really meant his words when he said life without Lennie would have been better or easier because George always wants to do something if Lennie is also involved. He doesn't want to do it individually. I find the lyrics “everything’s bright from beginning to end when you have a friend by your side” also relates to George and Lennie because they with each other and make eac other laugh. I feel that everything’s all great when they joke around with each other and laugh and just have fun together like any other best friends. Based on what we know about George and Lennie’s friendship i think they do brighten up each other’s day. Lennie only listens to George and even George knows that. George can tell when Lennie is scared and he helps him. For example when Curly punched Lennie for no reason. “Someone who knows when you’re lost and you’re lost and you’re scared” I find that these lyrics are perfect to use! “Someone to count on, someone who cares,” this describes both Lennie and George. They both care about each other a lot and they can count on each other. I strongly believe that they will always be there for one another no matter what.
Here’s the link to the the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ28LLowPKg
http://www.iep.utm.edu/music-sj/
ReplyDeletehttp://www.iep.utm.edu/music-sj/
ReplyDelete