I started from the past and made my way to the present by asking my parents first. The song that my father remembered first was from 1963 called “Blowin in the Wind” by Bob Dylan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgFz3tZYg-M The song asks questions to its listeners that are never answered, but the answers are within reach. One line that stuck out to me was “How many years can some people exist, before they’re allowed to be free?” Dylan walks the line of being obvious, but does let everyone know that we have the answers, they are out there blowin in the wind, we just have to find them.
When it came time to think of songs from my generation that talk about a different world, I immediately thought of “Pray” by Justin Bieber released in 2010. The video itself is moving, with images and videos of the issues being dealt with all over the world, such as poverty.
The main line of the chorus sings “I close my eyes, and I can see a better day” which poses the question, is the change in the near future? This song exemplifies the desire and need for change, and points out the problems we must fix.
The final song that I feel exhibits a need for change is an older song by Blessed Union of Souls “I Believe” It was released in 1995, based off of true events that a band member dealt with (see second quote). Although it is an older song, it came back around after 9/11 when tribute videos featured this song. The video posted has the lyrics on the page. The one set of lines that relates very well to this subject is a lot more controversial. It brings up the issue of racism stilling being dealt with every day. The line in the third verse states “Lisa lives in fear, that one day daddy’s gonna find out she’s in love with a Nigger from the streets…..cause she believes that love will see it through, and one day he’ll understand, and he’ll see me as a person, and not just a black man.” The lyrics of this song show that although there are problems worldwide, they can be solved, and love is the answer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_eAzaTquN8&feature=related
P.K.