"Sunday" by Bloc Party

Our next song to be discussed, Bloc Party's "Sunday," is one of my favorites. The breathy voice of lead singer Kele Okewele combined with the light guitar and keyboard contrast beautifully with the pounding drums and put the listener into a warm trance. Bloc Party's style and thoughtful lyrics are displayed wonderfully in this song.

Bloc Party is a British indie rock band. I first received a Bloc Party song on a mix CD from a friend two years ago. I agreed I liked the band, listened to a few more songs, but didn't pursue downloads any further. Late last summer, I began listening to more Bloc Party because my boyfriend adores the band. I figured it was just another weird obsession with a band, and that the lyrics and music really weren't something THAT special, but I was pleasantly surprised. The song "Ion Square" from the album Intimacy really moved me. "Sunday" was next on his list for me to listen to and assess. I fell in love with Bloc Party after listening.

The lyrics to Sunday follow:

Heavy night, it was a heavy night
Feels like we've come back from the dead
Heavy night, it was a heavy night
I cannot remember what I said (to anyone)

If we get up now, we can catch the afternoon
Watch the under-fifteens playing football in the park
Let's sleep in St. Leonard's on this alcoholic day
We're doing the best with what we've got

[Chorus] I love you in the morning
When you're still hung over
I love you in the morning
When you're still strung out
I love you in the morning

I work hard all week and so do you
We deserve to let off some steam
Less orthodox creeping
We need to rage through this life

There might be ones who are smarter than you
That have their own answers, that wear better shoes
Forget about those melting icecaps
We're doing the best with what we've got

[Chorus] I love you in the morning
When you're still hung over
I love you in the morning
When you're still strung out

When I'm with you, I am calm
A pearl in your oyster
Head on my chest, a silent smile
A private kind of happiness
You see, giant proclamations are all very well
But our love is louder than words

I'll love you in the morning (5x)

There is a lot of depth to these lyrics that is not seen at first. I remember showing the song to my parents, eager to see what they would think of it, and they were immediately distracted by the chorus and the multiple references to drugs and alcohol. To me, though, this is not what the song is about. The drug and alcohol references are there only because they are references to the speaker's lifestyle, not there to gain status and respect with listeners. The chorus' reference to being "hung over" or "strung out" are not the main focus or idea of the chorus. The idea is that no matter what state the lover is in, no matter how much glamor has worn off overnight, the speaker will still love him or her. This is immensely powerful, especially when most songs involving drug references are shallow and callous.

The feeling that the song gives of passion and undying love is undeniable. The speaker begins by describing a crazy night full of sparkly times and drug influence. The "heavy night" of fun and insanity disappears, but the speaker's love does not. He goes on to suggest that the two of them should spend the day together doing leisurely activities and just plain hanging out. Kele's lyrics give the message that makeup, drugs, and glamor are not what are important in a relationship, and that they are not necessary for two people to be in love. He continues this idea in the second verse and infuses it with a slightly increased degree of passion when he claims that "orthodox"y should be ignored and "rag[ing] through this life" is what all people should do. The second half of the verse returns to the idea of how the speaker accepts his lover no matter what, even if there are thousands of people with better ideas and clothes that seem like better candidates for love.

The most powerful part of the song by far is the bridge. Kele describes a calming sense of oneness with his lover that endures through all. My favorite line is "you see, giant proclamations are all very well / but our love is louder than words." I know exactly how Kele feels when he says this. Sometimes, the words "I love you" are just not enough to explain how you feel about someone. Kele tells the listener that it is okay to have no words because when mutual love is that strong, no declarations are necessary. The line is almost whispered. Right after, the guitars scream into existence again. For me, music is my prime means of expressing myself. Where words fail, music steps in. Bloc Party's music exemplifies perfectly how I feel.

Bloc Party is a wonderful band. Here is a link to "Sunday": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFv5HjTD3Ts
More songs to listen to (if you like this one) are "Ion Square" and "Flux."

"SOS" by The Jonas Brothers

The Jonas Brothers are one of the newest Disney turnouts, aside Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana. Rising from small recognition in childhood, the three oldest sons of the Jonas family have come together to form a pop punk band. Kevin, Joe, and Nick are the idols of tween girls worldwide. It's too bad their music just can't measure up to their popular image.

Disney is known for turning out crappy child stars that are pushed into their undeserved careers far too early. Past press hits have included Lindsay Lohan and Hilary Duff, with Vanessa Ann Hudgens and Miley Cyrus hot on their tails. Disney stars tend to have connections in the showbiz industry, little talent, and an image that can attract impressionable pre-teens. The Jonas Brothers are a departure from the sugar-coated girl image that Disney usually sticks with, but they are garnering even more recognition and popularity than the last four stars combined.

I chose to discuss "SOS," an early JB hit, this week as a departure from my usual tasteful discussion of quality music. My younger sister Emily, 13, is a JB fanatic. By that, I mean that she has a mural of their faces painted in neon colors across one of her bedroom walls (the rest of the room, ceiling included, is covered in posters). Crap pop music is blasting from her speakers every day without fail. I decided to give her "music," if you can call it that, a chance. It failed miserably.

The lyrics to "SOS" follow:

Told you I made dinner plans
For you and me and no one else
That don't include your crazy friends
Well I'm done
With awkward situation's empty
conversations

Oohh This is an S.O.S.
Don't wanna second guess
This is the bottom line
It's true
I gave my all for you
Now my heart's in two
And I can't find the other half
It's like I'm walking on broken glass
Better believe I bled
It's a call I'll never get

So this is where the story ends
A conversation on IM
Well I'm done with texting
Sorry for the miscommunication

Oohh This is an S.O.S.
Don't wanna second guess
This is the bottom line
It's true
I gave my all for you
Now my heart's in two
And I can't find the other half
It's like I'm walking on broken glass
Better believe I bled
It's a call I'll never get

Next time I see you
I'm giving you a high five
Cuz hugs are overrated just FYI

Oohh This is an S.O.S.
Don't wanna second guess
This is the bottom line
It's true
I gave my all for you
now my heart's in two
Oohh This is an S.O.S.

Don't wanna second guess
This is the bottom line
It's you
I gave my all for you
now my heart's in two
And I can't find the other half
It's like I'm walking on broken glass
better believe I bled
It's a call I'll never get

These lyrics are horrible. All they focus on is the cultural preoccupation with electronic communication, and stupid, immature relationships. Nick, the lead singer, whines for a full three minutes all about how he and his "girlfriend" are too immature to face one another and talk about their relationship. The brothers detail how they are brokenhearted and bleeding from glass shards, but I sincerely doubt it. I am in more pain from listening to this song than they are from experiencing it. Songs like this, "fluff" songs about nothing, are the worst kind. They not only appeal to, but are targeted towards the masses that will eat up a pretty face and a simple melody. There is nothing respectable about any of the Jonas Brothers' music. It is a waste of time and recording studios.

The band's overall sound is terrible. I found it almost impossible to distinguish between songs when I picked "SOS." The guitar sounds like it is coming out of a synthesizer. Of course, the riff is so simple that a baby could play it. The rest of the song actually is synthesized. And it's horrendous. It causes me physical pain to listen to fake music combined with whining tweenage boys talking about "love" that they've clearly never experienced. Personally, I find it hilarious that the brothers want to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, (a school that I am applying to) because they have no talent whatsoever. As for the pretty face, well . . . see the picture above and decide for yourself. My final assessment is that the Jonas Brothers are a subpar, worthless band that does not deserve a listen.

If you would like to be bleeding from the ears in under three minutes, click this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JUvbJekM88

"Aprés un Rêve" by Gabriel Fauré and Roman Bussine

The lyrics to the song "Après un Rêve" are by a French poet named Roman Bussine, and were later set to music by a French composer named Gabriel Fauré. Fauré is famous for his peaceful, beautiful operatic songs. "Après un Rêve" is a wonderful song about a man who has a dream about a lost lover. The soft rhyming lyrics combined with the beautiful imagery and the lilting tune send the listener into a dream almost as powerful as the speaker of the poem's.

Fauré is still a famous man to this day, even though he lived in the 19th century. His music is very well-respected in the modern musical community. His works are performed on every level from students to professionals. For example, I am currently singing "Après un Rêve" in my voice lessons. I plan to use it in my college auditions as part of my repertoire and in a county- and statewide competition of solo vocal performance.

Romain Bussine was a co-founder of the Société Nationale de Musique in Paris and wrote lots of poetry. Fauré set more than one of Bussine's poems to music. This poem is based on a Tuscan poem about how humans long to live in the world of dreams.

Here are the lyrics in French, followed by the translation:

Dans un sommeil que charmait ton image
Je rêvais le bonheur, ardent mirage;
Tes yeux étaient plus doux, ta voix pure et sonore.
Tu rayonnais comme un ciel éclairé par l'aurore;
Tu m'appelais, et je quittais la terre
Pour m'enfuir avec toi vers la lumière;
Les cieux pour nous entr'ouvraient leurs nues,
Splendeurs inconnues, lueurs divines entrevues . . .
Hélas! Hélas, triste réveil des songes!
Je t'appelle, ô nuit, rends-moi tes mensonges;
Reviens, reviens radieuse,
Reviens, ô nuit mystérieuse!

In a sleep charmed by your image
I dreamed of happiness, ardent mirage;
Your eyes were more tender, your voice pure and clear
You were radiant like a sky brightened by the sunrise;
You called me, and I left the earth
To flee with you towards the light;
The skies opened their clouds for us,
Splendors unknown, glimpses of divine light . . .
Alas! Alas, sad awakening from dreams!
I call you, oh night, give me your illusions;
Return, return radiantly,
Return, oh mysterious night!

I included the French version to illustrate the AB rhyme scheme that Fauré employs. The song has a flowing, dreamlike quality. The lyrics describe a beautiful woman who has come back to see the speaker of the song. I love it because it reminds me of other songs, like the aforementioned "The Sound of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel, and of "Bouncing Around the Room" by Phish. Each of these other songs describe a dream the speaker of the song has had. Phish's song has the same light, airy quality as Fauré's. It also describes a beautiful woman returning to visit the speaker. I believe that Bussine sets himself especially above Phish because his lyrics are much more poetic. Bussine also leaves out obscure drug references, attributing his speaker's dream to natural phenomena.

My favorite part of "Après un Rêve" is the concluding few lines. The speaker is so desperate for the woman and for the dream that he pleads with night to return so he can continue to live in a blissful dream world. It is so easy to identify with. Everyone has had wonderful dreams that they are yanked away from upon waking. Many a time have I woken up and had a powerful longing for my dreams to become reality. The intervals of Fauré's melody are almost a whining tone, imploring the night and the land of dreams to come back to the speaker in addition to the words. The emotion of the speaker is tangible.

"Après un Rêve" is, in my opinion, a masterpiece worthy of praise. I thoroughly enjoy listening to performances of Fauré. Here is a link to a YouTube video of a performance of "Après un Rêve":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq4iEhRpAcY

"American Boy" by Estelle

The song of the day is "American Boy" by Estelle. Quite a different tune than last week, it has some very interesting merits. The funky beat employed by Estelle and Kanye West, who is featured on the track, immediately makes the listener want to dance. The lyrics rhyme occasionally and draw the listener in.

Estelle is a new artist in the hip-hop scene. She is 28 years old and British. Her first album was entitled "The 18th Day" and was released in 2004, not garnering nearly as much appreciation as her second album "Shine" (2008). "American Boy" is on "Shine" and has an impressive record as a single. It reached #1 on UK charts, #2 on Irish charts, and #9 on both US and Canadian charts.

The creative and clever lyrics follow:

Kanye West:
Just another one champion sound
yeah Estelle about to get down
who the hottest in the world right now.
Just touched down in London town.
Bet they give me a pound,
Tell them put the money in my hand right now.
Tell the promoter we need more seats,
we just sold out all the floor seats.

Estelle:
Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day.
Take me to New York, I'd love to see LA.
I really want to come pick it with you.
You'll be my American Boy.

He said, hey sister,
It's really really nice to meet ya.
I just met this 5 foot 7 guy who's just my type.
Like the way he's speaking, his confidence is peaking.
Don't like his baggy jeans but I might like what's underneath them.
And no I ain't been to MIA
I heard that Cali never rains and New York's heart awaits. First let's see the west end.
I'll show you to my bridren.
I'm like this American Boy. American Boy

Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day
Take me to New York, I'd love to see LA.
I really want to come pick it with you.
You'll be my American Boy, American Boy.

Can we get away this weekend?
Take me to Broadway.
Let's go shopping baby then we'll go to a Café.
Let's go on the subway.
Take me to your hood.
I've never been to Brooklyn and I'd like to see what's good.
Dress in all your fancy clothes.
Sneaker's looking Fresh to Def I'm lovin' those Shell Toes.
Walkin' that walk.
Talk that slick talk.
I'm likin' this American Boy, American Boy.

Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day.
Take me to New York, I'd love to see LA.
I really want to come pick it with you.
You'll be my American Boy

tell em wagwan blood

Kanye West:
Who killin em in the U.K. Everybody gonna to say YOU K, reluctantly, cuz most of this press don't f**k wit me. Estelle once said to me, cool down, down. Don't act a fool now, now. I always act a fool oww, oww. Ain't nothing new now now. He crazy, I know what ya thinkin. Ribena I know what you're drinkin'. Rap singer. Chain Blinger. Holla at the next chick soon as you're blinkin'. What's your persona about this Americana. Brama, Am I shallow, cuz all my clothes designer. Dressed smart like a London Bloke. Before he speak his suit bespoke. And you thought he was cute before, Look at this P Coat tell me he's broke. And I know you're not into all that. I heard your lyrics, I feel your spirit. But I still talk that CAAASH cuz a lot W.A.G.S wanna hear it. And I'm feelin like Mike at his Baddest. Like the Pips at they Gladys. And I know they love it. So to hell with all that rubbish.

Estelle:
Would you be my love, my love, Would you be mine.
Would you be my love, my love, Would you be mine.
Could you be my love, my love.
Would you be my American Boy, American Boy.

Take me on a trip, I'd like to go some day
Take me to Chicago, San Francisco Bay.
I really want to come pick it with you.
You'll be my American Boy. American Boy.

This song is a perfect reflection of pop culture. All the lyrics talk about is fashion, sex, and the foreign obsession with America. Kanye, an American artist, is playing the role of the "American boy" in the lyrics. Estelle talks to him all about how she wants to be his girl just so he will take her places and buy her things. She even refers to liking "what's underneath [his baggy jeans]." Estelle implies in her lyrics that all she wants out of an American boy is someone to give her what is normally viewed as shallow in a relationship.

I still like this song a lot because of the beat and how easy it is to sing along to. I don't agree with the message sent out by the singers. I don't think that the international fascination with US culture is healthy or beneficial. Estelle and Kanye also use rather harsh language that should warn parents and/or younger listeners away. All in all, I think that "American Boy" gets the completely wrong image of pop culture and internationalism across, despite its funky beat.

Here is a link to a YouTube video of the song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDJwVHB-bEw

"The Sound of Silence" by Paul Simon

The first song I will discuss on this blog is "The Sound of Silence" by Paul Simon. In my opinion, it is an excellent song. The lyrics, guitar, and vocals blend together beautifully and the result almost puts the listener in a trance. The addition of drums towards the middle of the song picks up the tempo and makes the song even more catchy to the listener.

The song has a deep history. Simon wrote it in February 1964 after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Kids nowadays all know who Simon & Garfunkel are, but they don't know that this is the song that catapulted the duo to stardom. It entered American charts in early 1955 and reached number 1 before the close of the year. To this day it is still a popular song.

The lyrics of "The Sound of Silence" are full of intertwining images and catching thoughts. They read as follows:

Hello darkness, my old friend.

I've come to talk to you again

Because a vision softly creeping

Left its seeds while I was sleeping

And the vision that was planted in my brain

Still remains

Within the sound of silence.

In restless dreams I walked alone

Narrow streets of cobblestone

'Neath the halo of a streetlamp

I turned my collar to the cold and damp

When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light

That split the night

And touched the sound of silence.

And in the naked light I saw

Ten thousand people, maybe more.

People talking without speaking,

People hearing without listening,

People writing songs that voices never share,

And no one dare

Disturb the sound of silence.

"Fools," said I, "you do not know

Silence like a cancer grows.

Hear my words that I might teach you.

Take my arms that I might reach you."

But my words, like silent raindrops, fell

And echoed

In the wells of silence.

And the people bowed and prayed

To the neon God they made.

And the sign flashed out its' warning

In the words that it was forming

And the sign said, "The words of the prophets are

Written on the subway walls

And tenement halls

And whisper'd in the sounds of silence."

The lyrics to this song are beautiful. Simon's imagery in lines like "a vision softly creeping" and "stabbed by a neon light" leave such vivid impressions in the mind of the listener. He uses all kinds of literary devices most school-age children write off as useless or stupid to get his point across in a lovely song that these same children appreciate. Simon's juxtaposition of "sound" and "silence," two complete opposites, lends an ironic aspect to the lyrics that draws the listener in. Another irony in his lyrics is when he quotes the sign, saying, "the words of the prophets are / written on the subway walls / and tenement halls." These lines take prophecy, which is normally regarded as holy, and put it in the lowliest places humans could possibly inhabit. He also brings up the negative and disgusting in the line "silence like a cancer grows." Just recently, there was a discussion in AP English 12 comparing cancer to evil. Some of the similarities that appeared were that both cancer and evil spread silently and discreetly, both take over their territory, and both often go undetected until it is too late to root out the problem and fix it.

The way I interpret the lyrics to "The Sound of Silence" is complex. Simon's first two lines are "Hello darkness, my old friend / I've come to talk to you again" and he continues to describe an odd dream he had. This interested me from the first time I heard it because personally, I'm terrified of the dark and I thought it was quite different for someone to refer to it as "my old friend." I take it that Simon finds comfort in the familiar close feeling of darkness. As the song continues and the imagery of the dream begins, I always find myself closing my eyes so as to see the image in my head better. The words are all dark and unpleasant until all the sudden a FLASH of light appears out of nowhere, giving a small surge of hope to the man in the dream and to the listener, by extension. The third stanza is my favorite because of how the speaker of the song describes such common human activities with such amazing detachment in the lines "people talking without speaking / people hearing without listening / people writing songs that voices never share." These lines imply that there is more to life and to living than just drifting on through in a numb fashion. Simon effectively freezes the people illustrated in the song, setting up for the fourth stanza. In the fourth stanza, the speaker reaches out to the frozen people and tries to help them see the world in a different way, but fails. The fifth stanza is very open to interpretation. Paul Simon has explained that the song is about the lack of communication in society, yet so many inferences can be made as to what the "neon god" truly is. Overall, in my opinion, it is a phenomenal set of lyrics.

Common interpretations of "The Sound of Silence" range from lack of societal communication and nuclear war to television and religious motivation. I think that anyone listening to a song can and should interpret the lyrics any way he or she wants to, because that is what makes the most sense, and because that is what makes listening to music so worthwhile and enjoyable. The moving lyrics combined with solemn guitar is perfect, and the later addition of bass and drums only enhances the power of the tune. Well done, Simon & Garfunkel.

Here is a link to the song file:

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=7ce9d1ab85073e7ed2db6fb9a8902bda