The Fame, Lady Gaga "The Fame" 2008 Pop
Touch the Sky, Kanye West "Late Registration" 2005 Hip-Hop
Money Honey, Lady Gaga "The Fame" 2008 Pop
Diva, Beyonce "I Am...Sasha Fierce"2008 R&B
Opera Singer, Cake "Comfort Eagle" 2001 Alternative Rock
LIBERATION:
I Will Survive, Cake "Fashion Nugget" 1996 Alt Rock
Born This Way, Lady Gaga "Born This Way" 2011 Pop
Stone Free, Jimi Hendrix "Hey Joe" 1966 Classic Rock
Exodus, Bob Marley "Legend" 1984 Reggae
Let Your Hair Down <<Explicit>>, Yvonne Fair 1975 Funk
It seems that songs that represent success were more easily found among contemporary music while songs of liberation were more prevalent in earlier decades of the 20th century. Ever since the increasing popularity of wealth and fame it seems to be all anyone talks about (besides sex and drugs) in popular music, this really reflects on the society we live in as well. Looking at the songs I chose for liberation all except for Lady Gaga's came out before 1985 (considering that Cake's "I Will Survive" is a cover of the original Gloria Gaynor version, which came out in 1978), I think this reflects the difference in the cultures surrounding both time periods the songs for each aim came out during, starting with Jimi Hendrix's "Stone Free" the songs I chose for liberation came off the wave of civil rights movement and free love of the 1960s, two movements that were all about liberation.
It is very interesting that you found that songs about liberation are more prevalent earlier in the century. This is very true and not something that I had really thought about. Contemporary music tends to emphasize themes of success rather than its liberation counterpart. Everyone is searching for success, but not everyone is searching for liberation.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree - I was really stumped at what songs to use for liberation until I started looking for songs from the 1960's. I think the difference between our culture between the 50's and 60's and today is absolutely astounding. The difference is glaringly obvious just from listening to a few songs!
ReplyDeleteWhat you said about how success songs are more common now and liberation songs were more common in the sixties and seventies got me thinking. Is this because the free love and civil rights movements eventually faded from mind and people forgot about non-material success? I wonder if in another thirty or forty years after this quest for financial success fades we'll hear more songs that fit into the liberation aim.
ReplyDeleteI thought you made a great point about the fact that liberation songs were found in the sixties and seventies. I feel that today most people only focus on money, love, and power and songs of liberation are hard to find.
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