The first song that came to my mind when I was assigned to think of music that talks about a more just world was “World on Fire” By Sarah McLachlan. I was first shown this video in my ninth grade high school history class. I remember it the most because after the video had ended, the whole classroom was silent and you could hear a pin drop on the floor. Everyone was either in shock or speechless. The music video is what gives the song its meaning. The video opens with the statement that its budget was $150,000, even though we find out shortly afterwards, that it only cost fifteen dollars. Mclachlan donated all but fifteen of the 150,000 dollars budget to various charitable causes around the world and then used the video to explain how it benefited the communities that received the money. The main meaning of her video explains how third world countries only have one struggle, and it is world hunger. So, rather than spend a six digit budget on a single music video, why not see what that money can do for numerous people?
World On Fire by Sarah McLachlan
The second song I chose has a more political/government meaning: “Handlebars” by Flobots. This song was released in 2005, and it was a famous hit once it was released, and even more famous a few years after it was released. Many people who know this song are aware that it isn’t just about a kid being able to ride a bike with no handlebars, but that it is largely about the American government and how it believes it can control everything. The music video shows two different people, riding a bike and hitting a fork. As they hit the fork, they each go their separate ways, and throughout the rest of the video, it shows just what a difference a small choice can make. Overall, this song represents corporate government, the military, and how it can control the world.
Finally, I interviewed a family friend. Although it would be really interesting to see what my parents had listened to during the 60s because they are from Taiwan, they are both currently there visiting relatives. Thus, this family friend was born in the United States, and she was aware of the Protest Movement of the 1960s. “In My Life” by the Beatles was released in 1965, and this song was not considered part of the 1960s protest movement, although much of the music done by the Beatles was. The lyrics “some friends are dead and some are living, in my life, I’ve loved them all,” are lyrics of inspiration, and was a song that was frequently replayed over and over again during this time (by my interviewee).