A song that is brought to my attention is “Hotel Room Service” by Pitbull. The song begins automatically with a selfish ambition in mind by saying “I want everybody to stop what they’re doing.” Pitbull suggests that his ambitions are more important than anyone else’s and so therefore desires more attention than any single individual. The song soon progresses into the bridge which states “Forget about your boyfriend and meet me at the hotel room.” He automatically assumes that the female, in regards to the song, has no concern for her boyfriend or his emotions. So already Pitbull is presenting himself as selfish as well as an arrogant lady’s man.

The most graphic of Pitbull’s song is directly after the chorus “I’m the plumber tonight, I’ll check your pipes Oh, you the healthy type. Well, here goes some egg whites.” This part is a graphic visual of the regard Pitbull gives to women. He continues on by saying “Now gimme that sweet, that nasty that gushy stuff”. My question is what about the nice guys? The ones that have a tendency for respect and an appreciation to what love really is. It would appear that if you are in High School your chances are slim. I feel as if there is a gap that needs to be bridged in how we view relationships and the way we go about "progressing" them.

POP DIVA

In this new age MTV seems to be showing these new hits that interpret what love and relationships are. In Jordin Sparks’ new song the second stanza states “Why is it always the smallest things that tear us down.” Sparks is referring to small bumps that come along in a relationship. She states that “these smallest things” always tearing them down is referring that neither she nor he can keep up in a relationship. She goes on in the song to state that “…these times when we climb so fast to fall again…” refers to how they progress through the relationship at a high pace and suddenly it erupts and they lose trust in one another all over again. Spark’s song goes on to state that she “doesn’t even know what they’re fighting for”... and she tells him “to go and get his armor”…thus implying that the relationship is going to have to build up trust all over again. But of course this shouldn’t take too long seeing as it didn’t take a long time to get where they were at in the first place. The song goes on for another four minutes using the same exact phrases time after time after time.

Like Jesus?

Commentary: So I was listening to this song and the line that stood out most to me was the part that says…”so let’s grab a starbucks baby and spend a little more.” It seems that whenever “we”, as Americans, tend to get frustrated or in debt our mentality is to buy in to the corporate business and spend a little more. This song is actually making fun of the American system. Please allow me to ask you, the masses, to not write me off just yet. My view point can be quite radical at times as well as eccentric. All I can ask any of us to do is look at Jesus’ life and see how he lived and how much we can actually be like him.

Five Down for Fighting Superman...

I was listening to this song and encountered a life story that I rarely get out or tell. The life story just happens to be my own and is something of a sensitive issue, to me, than most topics. I used to think this song was nothing more than a mere hip…pop song that just had a nice little tizzy piano riff but after listening and giving a great amount of attention to the lyrics I have come up with a new way in which I view the song.

Being the son of a preacher man I have moved around quite a bit. I have seen and done a lot of things in my life. I have been shoved down, stretched out, and pushed to my limit. I have been just like everyone else and had my good and bad times. I have never had withdraw and have always desired to know something better about myself and see the better part of other people as well which is why I believe the first part of the song is the most powerful part of the whole song.

I can’t stand to fly. I’m not that naïve. I’m just out to find the better part of me.

All my life I have seen other people that help me shape who I am. Which has been me seeing things that I like or dislike? I have learned how to build up walls and defenses in which I am no longer a naïve child and able to let my timid emotions to get hands laid on. This year I have done everything I can to tear down those walls. I have looked for the good in everyone I come into contact with. I think that especially this year I have sought to discover who I really am. I have had to rely mostly on God and his understanding to help me through many hard times while being on my own. My faith has grown tremendously during this time period.

You know, really looking back on everything that has happened to me and have a pity party but the better thing to do would be to take a breath of fresh air and grow up.

It’s not easy to be anyone…

Martin the Poop thrower???

So I was reading about an awesome new revolutionary. A man so insane he had to be crazy, if that makes any sense. The name might ring a bell as Martin Luther. No not Jr. from the civil rights movement. I am talking about the man who stood up to the Catholic Church. I was reading about this guy and found out that he not only wrote much literature but also many songs. When he branched off from the church and started his own sector (the Lutheran church). He created a new set of songs. I have to confess I have read over them and they do not tend to be that good. I would even go as far as to say that they seem to be a bit dull and repetitive.

This is in no sense disrespect to the man. I mean he started a whole new movement with his charisma. He opened new minds to new ideas outside those of the Catholic Church. In the beginning of this post I mentioned the word insane, please let me elaborate on this a little bit… when Luther would get depressed he would throw his feces against the wall in the confession room. Now would you let me be a little blunter…when this crazy cat would get angry he would throw his poop against the wall. Yes, good friend this was the father of Protestantism. Hmmm???

I know How the Story Goes (I'll Come Back Again)

I Know How the Story Goes (I’ll Come Back Again)

Verse 1

The blur of the road seems to cover ground quicker

Than what I thought it would

These tears fill this cup to the brim to tell

How these feelings are held to with…stand

Bridge

So much to lose in a small town but I

Can’t help but wonder what we can…be

Chorus

Shades of grey cover my vision

A loss of depth perception

We seek we find another heart stays in mind

But a spring of color tells a story

Of hope inside two hearts we find alive tonight.

Verse 2

This reflection of love laughs at me misery knows my pain well

Hands down this covers our lies tonight

And I find it hard to breathe when worked up with this feeling

Will you take your eyes and calm this storm inside

Ending

And I know the story started off sad but that doesn’t mean it has to end that way

A new sun will rise to the east I’ll come back again

Commentary: This is actually a love song I wrote when I was in high school. I was only a sophomore and quite confused about what love really was, as I am still today. The time period of the song was during a pivotal and transitional moment in my life. I was moving away to West Virginia and I was going to have to leave my girlfriend behind. We told each other we would try to make it work and so I wrote a song about how time passes us by. It really is a sad song. I think there is also a lot of confusion in the song. I really didn’t know what to feel about the girl. So many different emotions worked me up inside so in the song when I say “will you take your eyes and calm this storm inside” I was trying to look to her for comfort. But in the midst of all this depression I put a sense of hope in the ending. I wanted there to be some happiness in the song that would motivate both parties.

Needless to say I never had the guts to sing the song to the girl before I left. Two weeks passes after moving when I finally returned to make a visit. We broke up the last night I was there. The girl never heard the song. But sometimes when I see her picture in old memories and yearbooks I still think about making a quick visit and singing the song to her…..but I never do. Time moves on I guess.

I Say We Stand

I Say We Stand.

Verse 1

How can the sunrise fly? When all else has failed

Every abstract painting tells its own story

I once stood proud and proud to stand

But time has well let that pass

Chorus

But I say we stand for something different

Take our own pen and write the fates away

So turn to face the crowd and shout it out loud

Sot turn to face the crowd and shout it shout it out loud

Verse 2

A brother to a man seems so useless

A standard of wealth captures the intentions

The hate prospers for what benefit of glory

We screen our lies turn up our eyes but…

(Repeat Chorus)

Bridge

So many desires of this life

Proven to be false

But God asks us to rise above

Deny yourself pick up your cross and…

Commentary: I wrote this song back when I was a sophomore in high school. My brother was youth pastor at a church and had kind of talked with me a little bit about what he was talking to his youth group about.

He was talking about how Jesus preached that God’s kingdom was sort of an upside down kingdom in the world’s eyes. I soon began to question my brother on his motives and quickly tagged him as a heretic but was soon changed when he began to explain to me why he suggested such a thing. He began to talk about how when Jesus came to earth he humbled and lowered himself to the point where he was willing to die for everyone here on earth. This was quite contrary to the way people wanted Jesus to be. The Jews wanted a military general with super natural powers that would free them from the bondage of the Roman emperor. But instead Jesus came as a meek and humble man who called us to love our enemies, think nothing of yourself, and to pick up our cross and follow him, where ever that may be. It really struck me deep and I soon after began to write a song about this new concept on life.

The first verse was actually something God said to me I believe. I had woken to go to school that day and was taking out the garbage on the back porch (yes, God can speak to you anytime even when you take out the garbage). I was having a bad week at school and God came down and encouraged me by saying to me “Josiah how can the sunrise fly when all else has failed”. It struck a chord deep within me and that is how the song was begun. I soon implied the concept my brother Caleb had taught me.

The second verse I considered all the things in life we are a slave to. How family values which Christ preached about had diminished greatly in our society. How a dream of wealth and prosperity is what we like to call the “American Dream”. Yet Jesus had come down and said “blessed are the poor” (Matthew 5:3). The ending comes from the verse Matthew 16:24-28. God calls us to deny our self, pick up our cross and follow him. This is so much easier said then done. So often I find myself pre-occupied with the things that sparkle on this world but I must remember to have an eternal perspective and keep in a relationship with God.

The chorus is calling to set ourselves apart from the world. Please come and accept the calling and may we change the world with God on our side.

This Land is yours and this can be mine!!! ok!!

In English 101 we recently watched a comparison video on youtube. Both videos were of the same song with the same lyrics as well as tune. The "context" however was totally different. The name of the video was "This Land is your land". One video was by far a more optimistic video while the other seemed to be a more pessimistic video. This was not a political exercise in class but more of a context comparison exercise.

The first video was one of optimism. The video presented itself in glorified expression of America with its waving flags, majestic buildings, and pride in patriotism. They had a majestic chorus with an ensemble of instruments that was enough to make any man take off his hat, stand, and salute. The thing was that it did not produce very many pictures of people in the video. The second video although was quite different.

The second video was the same song except sung by Bob Dylan. There were no majestic ensembles but merely Bob and his guitar. It was the way he sang it I think. He always tends to have a depressing tone to his voice but this was accompanied by pictures of depressed people with in the United States. It adds a taste of sadness and truth to our country, one that can not be ignored. The example of these contexts were extraordinary and awakened a new since of diversity with in myself, a lesson well learned.

Be Thou My Vision (3rd verse) The Eternal Perspective

Riches I heed not nor man's emptly praise
Thou mine inheritance now and always
Thou and thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven my treasure Thou art

I was actually just searching the internet for old "vintage songs" I honestly did not even type Chrisitan songs but this song came up and the third verse caught my attention as well as my heart. I have grown up in church and I had never really noticed this song before hand. The content through out the whole song is stunning and magnificent. It sums up a lifestyle of Christianity, in my point of view, to a creed to live by. The third verse, I believe, is the juicy part of the whole song though.

The verse starts of talking about how there are plenty of things to long after and pursue but God is my foundation and my longing. God is first and foremost in my life now and forever. I think this is a unique perspective which I would like to title an "Eternal Perspective". A perspective with the regards that there is a lot of things in this life (i.e money,fame,wealth,women,sex) but the things of this life have no consequence on you b.c you are focused too much on Jesus and doing his will. I am not trying to say that money is not important nor do I think sex is wrong (with in the boundaries of marriage) but I do think we can get so focused on these factors that they replace the perspective that is the most important. That is the eternal perspective

Indie vs. Major.

From day one of "major" labels there has always been an underdog in the music industry. We call these underdogs "independent" (indie) labels. Ususally in major label companys the producer of the musician tries to assert a good amount of pressure on to the artist to get a particular sound in which the label thinks the mainstream audience would like to hear. While indie labels tend to prefer to let the artist produce their own project and create their own unique sound. Indie artists are also usually focused on making music not trying to please one particular crowd.

When an artist usually switches to a major label company it does not always guarantee success. Only about 10 percent of the cds produced help the label company itself in profit. While working with an indie label company is usually on a smaller operation and can sometimes not have the resources to get the artist's project out in the world/venues desired. Often times though the labels work together. Major labels rely on indie labels to keep current with the changing music scene and help find local musical talent.

However all of these definitions I have presented to you have all been technical terms now allow me to give you my own opinion.

I have not always been an Indie fan. I went through middle school only wanting to listen to the "cool" kid music. I was part of the mainstream crowd and only cared about a good beat to the song and had no care for the lyrics. Times have changed though and I have grown mature (musically that is) to have a taste for all different forms for music. I am not trying to bash all the popular music now. I often catch myself dancing alone and in my bedroom to the snazy tunes of mtv, but my primary musical taste is indie/alternative. I promote Indie artists for their daring risks and individual sound. Their want to change the sound and bring to the table a unique perspective on music has my upmost admiration. Every time I get online it seems I am discovering a new sound as well as a few more good artists.

The King Beetle on the Coconut Estate (MewithoutYou)

As the moon rose and the hour grew late
The day held on the coconut estate
Raked up the dry leaves that fell dead from the trees
Which they burned in a pile by the lake

The beetle king summoned his men
And from the top, of the rhododendron stem.
Calling all volunteers, who can carry it back here
The great mystery's been lit once again.

One beetle emerged from the crowd
In a fashionable abdomen shroud
Said "I'm a professor you see
That's no mystery to me
I'll be back soon successful and proud"

But when the beetle professor returned
He crawled on all six
As his wings had been burned
And described to the finest detail all he'd learned
There was neither a light
Nor a heat, in his words.

The deeply dissatisfied king
Climbed the same stem to announce the same thing
But in his second appeal
Sought to sweeten the deal
With a silver padparadscha ring.

The lieutenant stepped out from the line
As he lassoed his thorax with twine
Thinkin "I'm stronger and braver
And I'll earn the kings favor
One day all he has will be mine!"

But for all the lieutenant's conceit
He too returned singed
And admitting defeat
"I had no choice
Please believe but retreat
It was bright as the sun
But with ten times the heat
And It cracked like the thunder
And bloodshot my eyes
Though smothered with sticks
It advanced undeterred
[ MewithoutYou Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com ]
Carelessly cast an ash cloud into the sky
My lord, like a flock of dark retching birds."

The beetle king slammed down his fist
"Your flowery descriptions no better than his!
We sent for the great light and you bring us this?
We didn't ask what It seems like
We asked what it is."

His majesty's hour at last has drawn nigh
The elegant queen took her leave from his side
Without understandin but without askin why
Gathered their kids to bid their goodbyes

And the father explained
"You've been some what deceived
We've all called me 'Your dad'
But your true dads not me
I lay next to your mom
And your forms were conceived
Your Fathers the light within all that ya see
He fills up the ponds, as he empties the clouds
Holds without hands, and he speaks without sounds
Provides us with the cows' waste and coconuts to eat
Giving one that nice salt taste
And the other it's sweet
Sends the black carriage the day death shows its face
Bidding our numbers with kindness and grace
And just as the flower and its fragrance are one
So must be to you and your Father become

Now distribute my scepter
My crown and my throne
And all we've known as wealth to the poor and alone
Without further hesitation
Without looking back home
The king flew headlong into the blazing unknown

And as the smoking hurled higher and higher
The troops flying loops round' the telephone wires
They said, "Our beloveds' not dead
But his highness instead
Has been utterly changed into fire."

Why not be utterly changed into fire? (x8)

Commentary-

This is a song from the band MewithoutYou. Aaron Weiss (the lead singer) is an indepth thinker as well as a great philosopher. The interpretation of the song is quite complex and a little bit confusing to me. The story goes on to talk about a "King" beetle who lives in a coconut tree, when suddenly the tree catches on fire and the king, not ever seeing fire before, send out his men to go and come back to tell him what the fire "IS". Each beetle comes back a changed insect and not able to tell what the "light" is...just what the encounter with the light has done to them. After two of his men come back the king throws down his fist and says that he will tell them what the fire is...and he flies directly into the fire becoming one with it.

Another perception I would like to point out in the song is that the beetles, once they encountered the fire, changed. Before they left the King Beetle they were very arrogant and thought they would someday have all the king's wealth but when they returned they were transformed and changed. Somewhat showing that when you interact with God you begin the journey of humbling yourself. Your pride is crippled and your arrogance is crushed. Instead you discover a new meaning of love, one of sacrifice and desire for others.

Another thought that was interesting to me was that at the end,of the song, the king did not give his wealth to any one in particular but said.

"Now distribute my scepter

My crown and my throne

And all we've known as wealth to the poor and alone"