Friday, November 2, 2007

The Angry American

Jim McKenzie

Most people would agree that the American society is based largely off of the pride of our country. Usually when there is a national tragedy the American public needs some sort of coming together to help coupe with the tragedy. After the terrorists attacks on 9/11 Americans needed something that would help ease the pain of our fallen brothers and sisters. When Toby Keith wrote the song Courtesy of the Red, White, and the Blue, also known as the Angry American song, many people thought that it brought our nation closer together and helped deal with our tragedy. Even though this song helped unite many citizens of the United States, what does this song actually mean?

Before anyone can analyze a song you must first understand who the speaker is speaking to. The song first starts off with the lines “American girls and American guys”. This immediately lets us know who the speaker is talking to. In the second line he says the word we. This lets us know that he is also part of the audience. The reader now knows that they have something in common and this will let them relate to each other better. The speaker says in the beginning of the song “My daddy served in the army when he lost his right eye but flew a flag out in our yard until the day that he died”. We now know much more about who the audience is when he says these lines. The speaker is talking to people who have served in the army or have a very close friend or relative that has served. The speaker can relate to this audience because he had a father who was in the military. These lines also let us know that even though his father lost an eye in the war he still flew his flag until he died. Even though he was affected by the war in a negative way his father never stopped loving his country. The next step in analyzing this song is to figure out what it is about.

In the first line of the third stanza the speaker says “Now this nation that I love has fallen under attack. A mighty sucker punch came flyin in from somewhere in the back”. This immediately lets his audience now that this song is going to be some sort of retaliation to the fact that some sort of enemy has attacked America without warning. The speaker then goes on to talk about as “Soon as we see clearly through our big black eye man, we lit up your world like the 4th of July”. The speaker is talking about relation in these lines. This means that once America has recovered from this tragedy and pulled together as one nation that they are going to attack with full force and pride. He then goes on to say how American icons are angered by the situation and are going to come at the enemy head on. He says “Hey Uncle Sam put your name at the top of his list and the statue of Liberty started shakin her fist”. Obviously these are two of the main American icons. They both represent freedom and that is what America is all about. The speaker also says “And the eagle will fly man, its going to be hell when you hear mother freedom start ringin her bell and it feels like the whole wide world is raining down on you brought to you courtesy of the red white and blue”. This is without a doubt a very bold statement saying that the American army is going to retaliate. When they do retaliate the enemy is going to wish that they had never attacked the USA. When the speaker says that “Justice will be served and the battle will rage this big dog will fight when you rattle his cage and youll be sorry that you messed with the u.s. of a. cause well put a boot in your ass it’s the American way”. This stanza is probably the most popular and meaningful stanza to many people. This shows our enemies that no matter who attacks our country they will not get away with it without a fight. And then you will be sorry that you ever even thought about picking a fight with our country. This song comes right out and tells you in the lyrics that America is a country based on freedom and our citizens are going to do everything in their power to make sure our freedom is protected even if it means going to war.

The song without a doubt uses pathos. Pathos is where the speaker uses emotions to affect his audience. In the song the speaker obviously uses pathos when he talks about America being sucker punched in the back. Anytime someone’s country is attacked it is obviously going to leave serious anguish. The speaker knows this and uses people’s emotions to get an uprising and to make people hopefully support retaliating back. He also uses pathos when he talks about how his father lost his right eye in a war. Whenever a friend or family member is affected in a negative way from war it is always going to leave scars on other people too. The speaker knows this because he has experienced it and knows other people have also experienced it. The song is purely about American Pride, something that our country has and will always have.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Lyric Essay

It is often said that rap lyrics contain no meaning and are just ramblings of cuss words and vulgar references but that is not always the case. Some artists have a true message in their lyrics, one such examples is Tupac Shakur’s song “Changes.” This song delivers a pretty direct message about the need for a change in the world. The title alone gives that away, but the lyrics expose the speaker’s feelings as well as the problem that needs to be changed. In order to clearly understand the song the speaker must be determined. One line in the song has the speaker describe himself “I'm tired of bein' poor and even worse I'm black.” So in this line we learn that the speaker is poor and black they also refers to themselves as a “brother” which leads us to be the speaker is male. The vernacular used in the song, such as dropping g’s and replacing –er with –a, leads us to believe he is a younger man.

I see no changes. Wake up in the morning and I ask myself,
"Is life worth living? Should I blast myself?"
I'm tired of bein' poor and even worse I'm black.
My stomach hurts, so I'm lookin' for a purse to snatch.
Cops give a damn about a negro? Pull the trigger, kill a nigga, he's a hero.

This exert expresses the speakers discontent with the way the world is and even that he may not want to live anymore. He mentions that since his “stomach hurts,” is hungry, he has to steal money. He also expresses that it is difficult to be black, that the police would like to get the chance to kill them much less car about things that happen to them.

Give the crack to the kids who the hell cares? One less hungry mouth on the welfare.
First ship 'em dope & let 'em deal the brothers.
Give 'em guns, step back, and watch 'em kill each other.
"It's time to fight back", that's what Huey said.
2 shots in the dark now Huey's dead.


This section expresses a few things that are wrong with the world. Giving crack to kids just so no one has to deal with them and welfare does not have to pay for them it is ignored. This image reveals strongly to pathos, the image of kids doing crack certainly evoke certain feelings of discontent. He claims that we give the community access to drugs and guns, which in combination lead to the people killing each other. He refers to a man named “Huey” who after mentioning the idea of fighting back is quickly silenced by being shot.

I got love for my brother, but we can never go nowhere
unless we share with each other. We gotta start makin' changes.
to see me as a brother 'stead of 2 distant strangers.
And that's how it's supposed to be.
How can the Devil take a brother if he's close to me?
I'd love to go back to when we played as kids,
but things change, and that's the way it is.


The first four lines express the speaker’s feelings about how if people would start treating and thinking of each other differently many of the problems would be solved. That if people treat each other as brothers they would not shoot each other people would not be killed if they had emotional attachments to each other. The last two lines tell the reader that things have not always been the way they are now, which then leads into the chorus “That's just the way it is. Things'll never be the same.” Though the rest of the song seems to show that there is hope to change back to a better time the chorus tells us that he believes we are stuck this way and that we can not go back to that time. Perhaps he is only hopeful for any change for a better not a complete fix.

I see no changes. All I see is racist faces.
Misplaced hate makes disgrace for races we under.
I wonder what it takes to make this one better place...
let's erase the wasted.
Take the evil out the people, they'll be acting right.
'Cause mo' black than white is smokin' crack tonight.
And only time we chill is when we kill each other.
It takes skill to be real, time to heal each other.


The first two lines express the speakers concern for the way we are all racist towards each other and how that makes us seem ignorant. He also mentions that more black people than white are doing drugs, to maybe not seem as though he is putting blame of the problems onto only other races. He also says that the only time people of different races are around each other is when they are fighting because perhaps it is easier than getting along and we are too impatient.

And although it seems heaven sent,
we ain't ready to see a black President, uhh.
It ain't a secret don't conceal the fact...
the penitentiary's packed, and it's filled with blacks.
But some things will never change.
Try to show another way, but they stayin' in the dope game.
Now tell me what's a mother to do?
Bein' real don't appeal to the brother in you.
You gotta operate the easy way.
"I made a G today" But you made it in a sleazy way.
Sellin' crack to the kids. "I gotta get paid,"
Well hey, well that's the way it is.


This passage expresses that even though he himself is black and is pushing against racism, he recognizes that the world is not ready for certain things like, a black president. He does not want the world to go where it is not ready but to try to simply get along as individuals. He does not place blame for the fact that “the penitentiary’s pack, and it’s filled with blacks,” he says that criminals have been shown other ways to make money but continuing breaking the law is easier so their conscious is simply ignored. This perhaps attracts another audience than the rest of the song it gives the song a less aggressive tone.

And still I see no changes. Can't a brother get a little peace?
There's war on the streets & the war in the Middle East.
Instead of war on poverty,
they got a war on drugs so the police can bother me.
And I ain't never did a crime I ain't have to do.
But now I'm back with the facts givin' 'em back to you.
Don't let 'em jack you up, back you up, crack you up and pimp smack you up.
You gotta learn to hold ya own.
They get jealous when they see ya with ya mobile phone.
But tell the cops they can't touch this.
I don't trust this, when they try to rush I bust this.
That's the sound of my tune. You say it ain't cool, but mama didn't raise no fool.
And as long as I stay black, I gotta stay strapped & I never get to lay back.
'Cause I always got to worry 'bout the pay backs.
Some buck that I roughed up way back... comin' back after all these years.
Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat. That's the way it is. uhh



This passage’s tone changes from the last instead of saying that committing crimes is wrong and only for the lazy he says that he just wants to be left alone. They have a war on drugs instead of a war on poverty, which he feels would prevent the problem with drugs. He sees this as that they only want to bother him and not really fix problems. He feels like he cannot rely on other people but in fact has to watch out for others. This gives him more credibility to say what he has in previous passages. He shows that he lives the worst of the problems and he is one of the people he is speaking to. The speaker expresses that he is stuck in the place he is in forever. Perhaps he sees the problem with changing as a catch-22, people will not change until others do, so until one person takes that step no one will change.

This song certainly contains depth even though the speaker does use vulgar language it is used to relay a message. The tone of anger conveyed certainly catches the readers’ attention so it is used in an affective manner. Then by using disturbing images the readers’ feelings are affected it makes the reader feel strongly about changing the world. Then by putting himself into the situation the speaker makes a believable argument he does not seem like a clueless outsider but rather a knowledgeable member of the world that he is discussing. By combining these two types of argument he not only catches his audiences attention but also gives a clear concise argument that the readers can easily believe.

lyrics from tupac shakur's "changes" http://www.lyrics007.com/2Pac%20(Tupac%20Shakur)%20Lyrics/Changes%20Lyrics.html

""Not Ready to Make Nice"

The Dixie Chicks’ song “Not Ready to Make Nice” describes and responds to a controversy between the speaker and their audience. The artist has “paid a price”, but they are “mad as hell” about the events that have taken place. The message of “Not Ready to Make Nice” is that the speaker feels wronged but isn’t looking for any reconciliation. Using an argument based mainly on ethos and pathos, the artist wants the audience to know that they aren’t ready to put their differences to rest. The argument is a bitter request for an apology, with the acknowledgement that it may never come.


The artist behind “Not Ready to Make Nice” is responding to a wrong they feel has been committed against them. In lines 3 and 4,“They say time heals everything/but I’m still waiting,” it appears that the speaker is waiting for an apology. While they song does not clearly state what has happened, the audience can gather that the speaker’s actions were controversial. This can be seen in the lines 7 through 10, “I’ve paid a price/And I’ll keep paying/ I’m not ready to make nice/I’m not ready to back down”. However, it seems that the artist is at peace with the decisions they’ve made, no matter what the backlash has been, as evidenced by “I’m through with doubt/There’s nothing left for me to figure out” (lines 5 and 6) and “I made my bed and I sleep like a baby/No regrets and I don’t mind saying” (lines17 and 18). The speaker’s response is an attempt to justify their anger and prove they will deal with the consequences of their actions.


The message is constructed around a strong persona in which the speaker is angry and contentious. “Not Ready to Make Nice” opens with the lines “Forgive, sounds good/Forgive, I’m not sure I could”, which show the speaker is resentful. This adds bitterness to the persona because it suggests that the speaker cannot let go of what has happened. Lines 24 through 29 reflect this bitterness, as well as the speaker’s controversial role, saying, “And how in the world can the words that I said/Send somebody so over the edge/That they’d write me a letter/Saying that I better shut up and sing/Or my life would be over.” In the chorus, the phrase “mad as hell” is repeated multiple times, which is a rather obvious declaration of the speaker’s feelings. The persona created by “Not Ready to Make Nice” is defiant and disillusioned with the audience and controversy.


“Not Ready to Make Nice” makes a point to speak directly to the characters the artist has an issue with. The last line of the chorus says, “Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should,” and lines 17 and 18 tell the audience, “I know you said/Can’t you just get over it”. Both of these passages show that the audience is comprised of the people with whom the artist is angry. Later, in lines 23-24, the songs says “It’s a sad, sad story when a mother will teach her/daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger.” These lines are speaking to a specific incident and the committer of the act. The speaker is using the song as a declaration to those who have wronged them.


To make their argument, the speaker in “Not Ready to Make Nice” starts by explaining their anger. The song does not leave the audience to wonder if the speaker is mad for the sake of madness, but it continually reminds the listener that they feel aggrieved and why. This is a positive note for the message’s conveyance because it allows to audience to focus on the argument. Unfortunately, there are negative sides to the argument’s presentation as well. The speaker’s repetitive refusal to grant forgiveness to their perceived persecutors can come across as immature. By blatantly saying, “It’s too late to make it right/I probably wouldn’t if I could,” the artist seems hostile and unwilling to compromise. This makes the argument unattractive to the audience, especially if the speaker is looking for an apology from them. The speaker’s cynicism allows them to explain their anger, but it also damages their persona.


The argument and effectiveness of “Not Ready to Make Nice” is based heavily on ethos. The speaker tells the audience the reasons they have to be angry, which gives them credibility and a right to speak. “I’ve paid a price” (line 7) shows that the speaker has suffered as a result of the controversy surrounding them. Additionally, they are still waiting for healing and closure on the matter, evidence in the lines “They say time heals everything/But I’m still waiting”. The speaker’s life has been threatened, they have been told to “shut up and sing”. By mentioning these insults, the artist uses pathos to support the argument. Death threats and hate mail create a human side to the speaker and the audience begins to sympathize with their suffering. All of these things give the speaker a justified reason to be mad. By building a credible defense of their feelings, the speaker strengthens their argument and overcomes the seemingly childish refusal to apologize first.

http://www.elyrics.net/read/d/dixie-chicks-lyrics/not-ready-to-make-nice-lyrics.html

Deify

In 2005, the popular metal band known as Disturbed released an album called “Ten-thousand fists” in this album there were many songs about corruption in politics but one song stood out among them due to its brilliant strength lyrically which invites a deeper look into the prose for all of the songs listener’s. This song was created in the post 9-11 era in which tensions between the United States and the Middle East were complicated and a very, controversial touchy topic.
The song begins with a short speech from President Bush in which the president states “Our country is strong and that we go forward to defend freedom for all that is good and just in our world”; however, the lyrics begin with the line “All my devotion betrayed” which is a very powerful statement saying that the speaker of the song had all his trust and beliefs into something but was betrayed by it. In this line the speaker uses pathos to stir up emotion by using the word betrayal. The first stanza is followed up by “I am no longer afraid/I was to blinded to see/How much you’ve stolen from me” which implies a sense of courage from the speaker stepping up after his betrayal.
The second stanza starts off with the speaker saying “You wanna know why I feel so horrified? /I let my innocence die” this is where the speaker begins to let his sense of rebellion loose. The speaker continues on with the lines “you wanna know why I can't be pacified? /you made me bury something/I won't be sleeping tonight” this lets the listener know that he is troubled by what has happened and will not stand for what is happening anymore.
In the third stanza the speaker begins to release his words with an aggressive vibe in which he first defends himself saying” I only wanted the blessing made/Now I've been labeled a renegade” he then goes on to say that” It seems so clear now what I must do/You're no immortal/I won't let them/Deify you” this is where the speaker begins to imply that the President has been raised to a standard almost to where people worship him and he must stand up to get the word out and reveal the president for who he really is a human-being. It is also implied that to whoever hears this song must get the word out to reveal the president.
The fourth stanza is where the speaker tries to help the people realize the horrible things done by following the president and not standing up for what is right “You want to know why it seems the passions died? /We've all been living this lie/you want to know why my will's been fortified? /you’ve made me hunger again/Good luck sleeping tonight” these lines were also meant to stir up people’s emotions and think about what was going on in the world.
The speakers’ message is clear when he continues on throughout the song addressing the fact that the public holds their president with a God-like status deifying him and not realizing what wrong he does due to the fact that people do see him as God-like figure and assume he makes no mistakes.
The speaker focuses the most of the essay arguing on behalf of pathos trying to enlighten the American public on issues involving the President and stir up some controversial responses to the song. The speaker used touchy words such as “betrayed”, “horrified”, and he also spoke to the corrupt government and told them “good luck sleeping tonight”. There was not much credibility in the song thereby ruling out any uses of ethos. The speaker did try and get the audience to use their logic (logos) to realize what was happening and for them to stand up and argue with our politicians.
Before analyzing the song I really had no idea as to the point of it besides the loud guitar and screaming vocals, but after carefully going over the text I learned how the artist where standing up to corruption in our government and where using their music to provoke action from the general public. This is a song in which any metalhead can not only appreciate for its extreme loudness but can also appreciate the message being very well portrayed by the band known as Disturbed.

http://www.lyricsdepot.com/disturbed/deify.html

Imagine

One song that has really influenced my life is the song “Imagine” by John Lennon. John Lennon is famous as the “Walrus” of the Beatles and after the Beatles split he became famous in his solo act. In the song, John Lennon describes his idea of a “perfect world” and how if everyone lived like the ideas he preaches, the World would be perfect. The song is three minutes and one second, but in that time, Lennon spits out enough information to give anti-war groups enough to make it their anthem. Although John Lennon wrote this song when he was not in the right state of mind, this song has become one of the most influential songs to people around the World.

John Lennon was the lead singer of the Beatles until the time of their breakup. At that time, Lennon went solo and began to make more of a living going solo. He used his fame that he had produced from The Beatles and was able to become even more famous. Lennon lived his solo life to its fullest until his death but received the most heat in his solo work. “Imagine” is one of the most popular songs ever, however, it gets a lot of criticism.

Throughout the entire song, John Lennon is thinking of ways to make the World a better place. In the first verse, Lennon says “Imagine there’s no heaven…no hell below us, and above us is only sky” to describe to those who use God in everyday life. Although when he says, “imagine there is no heaven”, he is thinking in an atheist point of view, he is using this as an idea so all people can live together. In retrospect he has a point. In today’s society, so would argue, that Americans are fighting overseas because of a difference in religion. We cannot get along with the middle easterners because of a difference in religion.

The next part of the song Lennon begins to talk about how if there were no countries, there would be no war. In the song, he says, “Imagine there’s no countries…nothing to kill or die for.” The song was put on his 1971 album, Imagine, which happened to be at the end of the Vietnam War. Although the British were not fighting with the Americans in the Vietnam War, war was the major news of the world. Lennon obviously was aware of what was going around him and being only thirty years from the end of World War II, Lennon and England were still recovering from the damages of war.

Lennon continues, and in the next verse begins to talk about another thing wrong with man and the world, greed. He says, “Imagine no possessions…no need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man.” Lennon is talking about how if people were not greedy or jealous of each other, people in no way could fight. Lennon uses a Bible reference because greed happens to be one of the seven deadly sins. This is ironic because in the first verse, Lennon talks about how if there was no god, there could be no religion and no wars. I believe Lennon is playing mind games with his listeners to try and get listeners from both stand points.

After the album was put on the shelves in 1971, the song became an important anthem to anti-war and religion movements. However it received much criticism too. In Elvis Costello’s song, “The Other Side of Summer”, Costello criticizes Lennon by saying, “Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine no possessions?" But not everyone can criticize him and the song. In an interview with David Sheff of Playboy in 1980, Sheff asks, “On a new album, you close with "Hard Times Are Over (For a While)". Why?” Lennon responds by saying, “It's not a new message: "Give Peace a Chance" — we're not being unreasonable, just saying, "Give it a chance." With "Imagine," we're saying, "Can you imagine a world without countries or religions?" It's the same message over and over. And it's positive.” Since the song has been published, “Imagine” has been the anthem for many peace gatherings such as the human rights organization who use it as their anthem. Imagine has received a lot of heat but it still remains one of the most popular songs of all time. “Imagine” remains one of the most popular songs on the piano; it was one of the first songs I learned, ironically. According to www.wikipidea.com, “Imagine” is one of the most popular songs performed and Lennon’s version is in the top one hundred greatest songs. “Imagine” remains one of the most popular songs ever, despite its criticism, and to this day people use it as an anthem for peace.

When “Imagine” was published, Lennon received many death threats and some could argue that the reason he was murdered was because of “Imagine.” Lennon is not afraid to speak his mind in the song which offends many people. I believe Lennon’s song can be portrayed in a good way. Since the song was published, the song has received more credit than criticism. Lennon uses this work to speak his mind of the world, and despite what some may think, “Imagine” is one of the best songs ever written.

Vicarious : Tool : 10,000 Days





Tool is a band with several albums and many side projects but the song Vicarious seemed to scream out to me as one with a clear-cut message. You could go so far as to say that the even the title “bares all” for the song. The song’s message is that of an eye-opener to the technologically attuned and hyper-numb society of today. Using such phrases as “devour to survive”, “stare like a junkie into the TV”, and “blood to a vampire” Vicarious is able to paint a clear picture of the way our society today feeds off the misfortune or prosperity of others.

Vicarious is defined as experiencing something secondhand or “through something else” such as the television. The song preys on the audience’s emotions while using examples from the artist to create a logical argument about the state of people’s lives. The song claims that we all “live vicariously” through the TV shows, movies, and news of today. Have you ever watched a horror movie or an action flick and not gotten a thrill or a touch of adrenaline through your veins? The natural adrenal and endorphin responses we receive just from watching someone do something exciting or even dying are what the song picks at. Can you deny the fact that there is a severe mental dependency bordering addiction in many people concerning obsession with the lives of others? The juicier the drama or the more horrible the tragedy the more people are inclined to watch and investigate.

If you take a good hard look at our major media they cover many topics such as the war in the Middle East, the current state of the world, and the day to day lives of the stars or other “important” people in the public’s eyes. Some of the lyrics greatly enforce the idea that we as people are mesmerized by the troubles of others, Like:
"Killed by the husband", "Drowned by the ocean", "Shot by his own son", "She used a poison in his tea and kissed him goodbye", that’s my kind of story. It's no fun 'til someone dies.” The artist not only uses samplings of our day to day media to portray “us” as a vicarious creature but himself as well. “Cause I need to watch things die
from a distance Vicariously, I Live while the whole world dies you all need it too - don't lie.” These lyrics are used to relate to the human populace as a whole by depending on the credibility of the speaker.

The argument of the artist is well constructed and is well suited for convincing its audience. The song uses the theory of survival of the fittest and appeals to the more primitive and instinctual aspects of the human psyche. These primal needs are explained with the lines, “The universe is hostile So impersonal Devour to survive So it is, so it's always been ...” The argument may not cause everyone who listens to the song to realize how reliant they are on the experiences of others but I believe a good portion of people could easily relate to the thoughts that are expressed in Vicarious. I think the best phrase that could describe this song is “misery loves company” and the misfortune of others makes people feel better about any bad experiences in their own lives.

Sweet Marry

This song might not be politically charged nor a conflict that deals with a political matter. But in my mind this song defiantly has a conflict. A love for another human being can be very confusing therefore having much conflict.
The song I picked is called Sweet Marry by Equilizer. It about this man who goes to J.A. in 1976 and falls in love with this girl named marry and they spend a whole year together but at the end of that year he has to leave. She states that before he met her he was a little boy and now after the year they spent together he has become a man. After he leaves he realizes how much he loves her and no matter how much time goes by he will never forget the wonders of Mary’s bed. He grows old and the family he build moves away he decided to go back to see Mary and when he gets there he finds out she had died but also she has touched the lives of a lot of other men. The last line of the song is “you never know what you've got in this cruel world until you realize it’s gone”. I think that is a very key point to the song. The message in this song is you will never forget your first love. The writer of this song conveys the message by really telling a story. It is very easy to understand this song because of how it is written. They artist is responding to a feeling he feels for this one particular girl he fell it in love with. “i still ask why did i go they say your first love's your hardest love and i'd have to say that's so”. The artist in the song is talking about himself because he uses the pronouns “I”, and when talking about Mary he uses “she”. This tragedy has happened to the artist of the song. You can tell this person is a man who is kind of hippie like because in the song he says the date of 1976 and how he just goes the J.A. for the year. The kind of girl he falls in love with is a mountain girl. The chores of the song also represents maybe his hippie ways “cause you can smoke two pounds of Cali herb by yourself then try to stand on your head no matter how high you get you'll never forget the wonders of Mary’s bed" this line does not just only talk about his hippie ways but it also says a message that no matter what he does or what he takes he would never forget Mary. The conflict is mostly internal, and he is arguing for just more time so he can spend it with Mary. And when he finally decides to go back and see her, he finds that she has passed away. They audience of this song is anyone who wants to listen to it. I don’t think he is singing to a particular crowd just anyone who has ever been in love can relate.
The artist does a great job on laying out the setting and telling about his internal conflict. You can really feel and see what he is seeing. “now my mary's sweet smell was in my nose and vision it robbed me blind” Another positive quality is that he is telling a story that can relate to a lot of people. Lots of people have dealt with this same internal conflict and it’s a very strong one. A negative method I think he uses is he is not clear or consice at the end of the song. The last verse can be anaylized in many ways. “asked the bartender where could she be and as he poured me a beer he said last year she left this world peacefully and every man in the bar looked at me and they said old man dont you see that we were all touched by mary just like you now she lives on in our memories” This could mean that she just was a kind of women who just go around having affairs with men, or I think she was just a wonderful women who had such a free spirit that it touched many men’s lives and helped them. Finally I think this story is very effective and the artist is credible. He is telling the story so it is told from his point of view which makes it credible. It is also effective because I can relate to his feelings and understand the pain he goes through missing his Mary. This love story is a very common one so most people will be touched by this song as well.
I think this song can be both pathos (audience emotion) and ethos (speaker’s credibility). I chose pathos because this song does depend on the audience emotions to really make this song as powerful as it is. I also chose ethos because the lyrics of the song is like a story. The artist is the speaker and so therefore this song is written from his thoughts. This is one of my favorite songs and I hope you can appreciate it as much as I do.

http://www.lyricsdownload.com/equalizer-sweet-mary-lyrics.html

Holiday!

Paper #4
Kinley Perno

The song “Holiday” by Green Day is a song that cries out about the American government. It talks about the modern-day problems dealing with Bush, the Iraq War, oil, and environmental issues. It is easy to tell it is a political song because it includes words such as, “Armageddon”, “company”, “war”, “protester”, “flag”, “monument”, “bombs”, “kill”, “government”, “Eiffel towers”, and “trials”. Green Day is singing about how they are “outlaws”, and they are trying to gain support and get the rest of the American people to join them in the fight against the government. This song has been the center of much conversation regarding the war and the feelings of the American people.

Green Day is speaking to the young and middle-age voting American public. They want the people who are making the decisions to be informed of all the things they believe the American government is doing wrong since September 11. They are hoping to change the minds of the American people so they will become outraged like them, and want to do something to change things. They use the word, “Hey!” at the end of some of the lines as a way to get people pumped up and agree about what they are talking about. They say things like:

Hear the sound of the falling rain
Coming down like an Armageddon flame (Hey!)
The shame
The ones who died without a name

They are talking about everything bad that has happened since September 11. The government is sending so many troops into Iraq that no one even knows who they are and they don’t get credit for what they are doing. The song also says, “And bleed, the company lost the war today”, which means that there are men over in Iraq, but they are losing the war. The chorus says:

I beg to dream and differ from the hollow lies
This is the dawning of the rest of our lives
On holiday

This means they are taking a stand against all the empty lies the government is telling the American people. The second line is the crying out of the people that if something isn’t done now against the government then nothing will ever change or improve. “Hear the drum pounding out of time”, also reinforces this idea. In the lines that say, “Another protester has crossed the line (Hey!) To find, the money's on the other side” Green Day is saying that the people who are trying to make a difference just find that the government and people with money control everything, so all their efforts are pointless. They show that people support them and their opinions by singing:

Can I get another Amen? (Amen!)
There's a flag wrapped around a score of men (Hey!)
A gag, a plastic bag on a monument

This shows they believe that many men have died for this country, but the American people sometimes think of it as a joke or don’t take it seriously. They don’t understand how seriously it really is. They sing the next part of the song as if it is a representative from California is talking to a group of people. The representative is talking about what they are going to do to the people who do not agree and deserve the punishment. He is saying they are going to bomb the enemies when he says, “Bombs away is your punishment!” They are also going to “Pulverize the Eiffel Towers” because they “Criticize your government!” They are also going to punish the other governments who do not agree with them. They are also going to, “Kill all the fags that don’t agree!” This means that the government does not really care about the opinions of the American people, and they will do whatever they want to anyone who doesn’t agree with what they have to say.

“Holiday” by Green Day is a song that represents all three of the ideas of pathos, ethos, and logos. Pathos is the idea that is most present in this song. The idea of pathos is represented in this song because they use examples that are intended to produce a reaction or shock out of the people they are singing this song to. This is seen in examples such as, “The shame, the ones who died without a name”, “And bleed, the company lost the war today”, “There's a flag wrapped around a score of men”, “A gag, A plastic bag on a monument”, “Bombs away is your punishment!”, and “Kill all the fags that don't agree!”. All of these phrases are meant shock people and spark a reaction so that something will be done to stop what the government is doing with the war. The singers of Green Day also portray the idea of ethos because when they say, “The representative from California now has the floor…”, it makes it sound like it is a credible source who is talking about all the concrete details. The fact that the band is singing things like, “And bleed, the company lost the war today”, “Another protester has crossed the line (Hey!)To find, the money's on the other side”, and “There's a flag wrapped around a score of men (Hey!)A gag, a plastic bag on a monument”, gives concrete details about why they are mad about what is going on, which are examples of logos.

Green Day was very effective in portraying the idea of pathos. Many of the lines they sing are meant to get people fired up about supporting their case. They scream the word, “Hey!” and “Amen” to get people pumped. The phrases they use show emotion and the examples can be personal to the audience, but they are definitely not over the top. The ethos that is present in the song is not as effective. They sound like they know what they are talking about, but the only real credible source in the song would be the representative from California. The fact that it is a representative might make people take what they are saying in that part of the song seriously. Logos isn’t a real effective part of the song either because they gave examples of why they are rebelling, but they never use real numbers or facts.

Overall, “Holiday” is very effective in sounding like a credible political song by the use of pathos, ethos, and logos. Green Day does a good job clearly stating their thoughts and opinions. They also do a good job getting people pumped up and excited about the song and what they are talking about by adding the “Hey!” and “Amen” phrases throughout the song.

september 11

Jeff Aycock
September 11
September 11, 2001 was one of the greatest tragedies that America has ever experienced. After that tragedy many artiest tried to write songs to explain what happened, what we should do, or just to help people realize what happened. Right after the attack there was a lot of emotions going through everyone’s head and I believe that the music industry tried to do their best to use their music to calm the American Citizens minds. One of the greatest songs that was written after September 11 was a song by Alan Jackson called “Where Were You When the World stopped turning.”
In this song Alan Jackson is talking directly to the American Citizens about what happened on September 11, and how they feel about the war that is going on. He starts the song out by asking questions. He wants you to think about what you were doing ,feeling, and thinking at the time of the attack and just reflect on how you feel about the war that is going on right now. You will definitely realize this in the first stanza of the song. In the first stanza he wants you to think where you were when the attack actually happened.
In the first stanza he uses the logos by giving specific examples of where people might have been. For example the second and third lines of the song states “Out in the yard with your wife and children working on a stage in LA.” Those first two lines of the song could definitely be places where an American citizen could have been. Then he goes on for 4 more lines to give a couple more possibilities of where people might have been. When you hear the first stanza it makes you stop to think about where you actually were when the towers fall.
In the second and third stanza he uses ethos by singing about the emotion that you might have had felt. For example in the first line of the second stanza says “Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones,” which is talking about the families that had lost their families or closest friends in the attack. Then in the third stanza he changes the emotion from weeping, crying, and sad to being proud. He was able to do this by saying “Did you burst out in pride for the red white and blue.” Now the mood of the song changed and instead of being sad now he wants you to feel proud to be an American.
In the next stanza the fourth he uses logos and pathos by giving examples about himself and how he’s a leader in a way. He is trying to convey to the reader or the listener that he is not the most intelligent man but he knows what is right and what is wrong. In the second t line of the fourth stanza it say “I’m not a real political man I watch CNN but I’m not sure I can tell you the difference in Iraq and Iran But I know Jesus and an I talked to God.” Then the last two lines of that stanza says “And I remember this from when I was young faith hope and love are some good things he gave us but the greatest is love.” Throughout those lines he is trying to tell us that he is not sure of all the details but as long as we believe in God he will help us though this rough time in country.
In the fifth stanza he kind of resembles the first stanza by using logos again and asks the reader or listen questions about where were you, and what were you doing. The only difference in this stanza is that he gives a lot more places and things that people could have been doing. He does this to reiterate the fact that he wants you to remember exactly where you where and what you were feeling so that you will not forget about what a terrible tragedy it really was, and so you will not lose pride in our country.
In the last couple stanzas which I believe are the most important is just like the fourth stanza word for word and the only this that changes is three lines at the end of the song. He defiantly uses pathos again, I say this because he is trying to lead the reader or listener to believe that as long as you believe in God he is going to get us through the down fall that the country has taken because he Loves us. How I know this is because the second to last stanza talks about what God has given us and in the last stanza all it says is “The greatest is love The greatest is love.”
He ends the song with one line and that line is the title of the song “Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day.” This is probable the most powerful line in the song because when the song ends it just kind of just leaves you hanging and stunned and makes you just think about what really happened to our country that day and how it affected you. By us that line in for the last line of the song it makes you go back and think about the entire song over again in your head.

In America

When I am listening to a song on the radio I normally decide whether I like it or not by the beat or if the chorus is catchy. Most people are similar to me in the fact that they aren’t really paying attention to the words, but people would be really surprised to what they are listening to if they sat down and read the lyrics. When I first listened to “In America” by Charlie Daniels I only got a small part of the message, but when I read the lyrics I understood the whole meaning behind the song.

The speaker in “In America” is a person that is passionate about patriotism in America. You can see this when the speaker says “and then God bless America again”, you can tell they are passionate about America. The speaker is concerned about patriotism being low in America. The speaker says “the eagle’s been flying low”, “the flag’s been flying slow”, and “America’s fixing to fall”. The eagle and the flag are all symbols of freedom and patriotism and if they are flying low and slow that means those specific morals are low in America. Later in the song the speaker is talking about how even though there is some separation among Americans we should come together and stand up for ourselves as a whole country the speaker says, “and we may have done a little bit of fighting amongst ourselves but you outside people best leave us alone.” The “Outside People” are non-American people, you can tell this because earlier in the song the speaker refers to the Russians. The speaker also shows all the different types of people we have in America and refers to “the cowboys and the hippies and the rebels and the yanks”. Theses are all the different people the speaker wants to stand together against the “Outside people”. The speaker mocks the people who have doubts in America being a whole and getting back on track. You can see this when the speaker says “You never did think that we’d ever get together again well we damn sure fooled you we’re walking real proud and we’re talking real loud again in America” and “this lady may have stumbled but she ain’t never fell and if the Russians don’t believe that they can go straight to hell we’re gonna put her feet back on the path of righteousness” . When the speaker says “this lady” it is referring to another one of America’s symbols, the statue of liberty. You can tell this is what is being referred to because a couple of lines before this other symbols of America are brought up like the flag and the eagle. When you put all of the meanings of the lines together you can see that the speaker (a patriot) is saying that people have doubts in America but we can put aside all of our differences and we can be strong again.

There are two types of people that the speaker is talking to in this song. When the speaker says “You never did think it would happen again in America, Did you?” the “you” being spoken about is the people who have doubts in America. These types of people could be people from any other country around the world, but it could also be Americans who are having doubts in their own country. The second type of people is Americans who aren’t really clued in about what is going on. The speaker is informing them that America needs to shape up and bring patriotism back.

The speaker of the song uses ethos and pathos to get the audience’s attention. When using ethos the speaker is simply stating everything that is going on. He/She says that patriotism in low in America and mentions the different types of people that make up America. This is the part of the song that just lets you know what is going on, it doesn’t necessarily make your emotions come out or make you want to do something about it. The speaker then uses pathos to really grab the audience’s attention and make them tune in. In one of the first stanzas the speaker says, “and if the Russians don’t believe that they can all go straight to hell” this verse wakes you up and makes you tune in because they are such strong words. When the speaker says ,”You outside people best leave us alone cause we’ll stick together and you can take that to the bank”, he/she is speaking to two different audiences hence ethos AND pathos. To the audience that has doubts in America he/she is showing them America isn’t going to back down and is trying to get their coward emotion to come and playing on their emotions. To the people that he/she is simply informing what is going on, the speaker is trying to get their anger and pride to come out, this is also ethos. The pathos side is shown when the speaker is trying to show both audiences who the boss is. When the song is taken apart you see that the message the speaker is trying to get across is so important and you can really feel how passionate they are about it.

Ringing the Bells

Ringing the Bells
Every once in a great while, a song bursting with patriotism explodes onto the pop charts. Sometimes they are the product of a personal experience by the artist, but usually they are a response to something. Toby Keith’s “Courtesy Of The Red, White and Blue” is certainly an example of the latter. Within the year 2001, after 9/11, he released this blasting hit, which snowballed into the highest selling country record of the year. The message of the song is well worth evaluating, because of the passion it inspires in so many when it is heard. How does Toby Keith spark this rise in us, and what is he doing with it? The subject is the medium through which he connects with his audience, and his purpose is to unite a country who has taken a “sucker punch,” and feels a forgotten patriotism inside.
The argument of the song is more of a promise to the culprit of the attacks, an assurance that there will be retribution. “It’s the American Way,” he proclaims, and it is certainly felt that you cannot mess with the U.S.A. Few could immediately comprehend what happened to our country on September 11th. It’s the American Way to be above worry of such an attack on our freedom. His argument is that of the constitution: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. He drops nearly every patriotic word he can muster into the song, because they are his tools for establishing the tone. However, the audience is not Osama Bin Laden, or Saddam Hussein, or Iraq. His audience is the U.S.A., the protagonist in the ass-booting. He presents absolutely no argument to his audience; instead, he becomes their voice, giving a team-like feel. Those of foreign origin probably will not identify with this message, although they might recognize the spirit of it. His tone is certainly condescending to anyone outside of our country. He sings, “We’ll always stand up and salute, we’ll always recognize.” “Always” holds some acute implications. “Always” is not during the year after 9/11, sadly, and this pride and respect loses its edge, just as the record stopped selling. He came up short of the great Lee Greenwood, whose “God Bless the USA” remains one of the single most successful patriotic songs ever released. I’ve never been to a Toby Keith concert, but I’m sure this song is the grand finale, with a Skynyrd-sounding guitar ending. The audience cannot help but stand and applaud. Sure, the music is well-written, and it is a good song, but the feeling it inspires is its main quality. It accomplishes this purpose well while making a statement in defense of America.
Obviously, Toby Keith is the speaker. My infinite doubt in the notion that he wrote this song precludes me from analyzing what he felt at the time he wrote this song. However, his voice carries the message, and he is a true artist in the manner in which he conveys it. Certainly the songwriter was a patriot, with undying faith in his country. Did he present an argument to be debated by the audience? I don’t believe this was his purpose at all. His audience was meant to relate to the song, a unified group emerging from controversy. The reason the songwriter does not perform the song himself points to the strengths of Toby Keith. His deep Southern voice holds power, and convicts an audience, inspiring emotion. He uses this to his advantage, delivering a threat to those who threaten our country. His performance of the song, combined with the quality of the writing, produce a literally bullet-proof hit, by a successful artist who is still on the rise.
There are nine clear references to patriotic symbols and landmarks. After peppering them into the first three verses, he sounds to have quieted for the fourth verse. After a dramatic pause in the score, he comes in with: “We’ll put a boot in your ass, it’s the American Way.” The expletive is an attention-grabber, well used at the right time, and for some reason one of the most effective points of the song. It shows that tough, rugged, perhaps redneck side of America, as the genre is called “country music.” It has always been the most patriotic of the different styles of music, usually holding an old-school approach to current issues and events. So why are all the references to eagles and Uncle Sam and Mother Freedom necessary to get the point across? All of the patriotic imagery serves the sole purpose of stirring emotion in the audience. If you can stir up an audience, you can make them listen.
“Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” is probably the most recent landmark ode to patriotism that we have today. It is a perfect example of how to get a message across; finding a common chord to strike among your audience. His audience was very well chosen for the song, as they were the subjects of it. I personally never heard any criticism of the song until it was well overplayed. As any pop gem, it was spun right through the top, but those feelings fade as quickly as some derived from the song. Perhaps its argument is the classic argument for America, the very values for which it was created. It has been presented in writing, in fighting, and through music and song. The speaker delivers his song well, and he sells it to his audience in a way few performers can. Maybe the biggest winner out of such a piece is the audience, who is confronted with a potential theme song, and chooses to support it and make it their own. A great songwriter makes the audience wish they had written it first, as well as other songwriters. I’m sure there are many such writers in Nashville who wish they had written this one. The points of the rhetorical triangle show why the song gained such popularity. A perfect combination of argument, audience, and speaker produced a song that almost any American can identify with. The purpose of it all is to inspire that oneness, that teamwork unity, that makes our great country such a truly great place.

"Whatever Happened to Peace on Earth"

“Whatever Happened to Peace on Earth,” written by Willie Nelson is a song protesting Bush’s decision to send troops to Iraq. This song is primarily using pathos, although there is also some logos incorporated. Logos is an argument, Wilson is arguing about the Iraq war and his feelings on it. Pathos is audience, Nelson is also trying to involve people and make them think about the wrong doings of this war. Nelson’s message is that America was unwittingly sent in to fight a war in Iraq, he points this out by articulating the issues many people have stated in the four years since we entered the war. His arguments are weakened by the fact that his political leanings are already well known to most, and ultimately those that agree with him will feel very in tune with this song, and those that don’t will dismiss this as more liberal music from Willie Nelson.

The message is clearly anti-war. Nelson believes there are so “many things going on in the world” today, such as poverty, abuse, and crimes, that we should be focusing on this instead of sending soldiers to Iraq, a place that did not harm the United States before we invaded. We are told to “believe everything that they tell us” on the news and in the papers; Bush announces that “they [are] [going to] kill us” we are forced to automatically assume “we [need to] kill them first.” Therefore we have thousands of innocent men and women serving our country in Iraq because a group of political citizens thought it is the best thing to do at the time.

Nelson continues to write giving references from his strong Christian belief with examples of Commandments written in the Bible. Do the Christian citizens of our country really follow their values of faith? Christianity is the largest religious group in the United States, yet we are still in a country killing innocent Iraqi’s because we are afraid that they might invade our country first. Is it really ethical to be in that country violating “a commandment, thou shall not kill,” because we are afraid? The Golden Rule we were all taught in kindergarten has changed, it is no longer, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” it has changed to “do unto others before they do it to you.” This is a clear attempt by Nelson to take the view point of those he assumes are supporting the war and use their beliefs to strengthen his own argument.

Nelson believes Bush’s take on this war is to “kill [them] all and let God sort [it] out” when the time comes. The citizens of our Country are letting “one picker's word” affect our lives. No matter how much “mass protection” the Iraqis have, “truth sets you free” and that is all we need.

Nelson’s goal in this song is to get the citizens of the United States, his audience, to understand why our invasion into Iraq was wrong. He is very persuasive in this song using logos yet most of the information in opinionated rather than factual. He states specific facts about his beliefs on the war. In verse two line four, he states, “But I remember a commandment; Thou shall not kill,” he shows his Christian beliefs in this song referencing a Commandment from the Bible. He strongly believes we should not be in this war or killing, and backs up his belief with the Bible.

Pathos is the main part of the triangle he seems to use; he really tries to persuade his audience to follow his guidance. In the first verse lines one through three state, “There's so many things going on in the world; Babies dying; Mothers crying,” Nelson really begins to reel in an audience here; mostly female, some male. They feel the pain in the first verse and want to listen.

In the second verse he begins to talk about Commandments which is a negative impact on the song because it is turning Non-Christians away but bringing in Christian individuals. Nelson’s audience throughout this song is female Christians. Most men will think it is too sensual and those outside of the Christian faith do not believe in his Christian thoughts.

The chorus, “And the bewildered herd is still believing; Everything we've been told from our birth; Hell they won't lie to me; Not on my own damn TV; But how much is a liar's word worth; And whatever happened to peace on earth,” enlightens Americans using symbolism such as “the bewildered herd,” calling us confused Americans, referring back to scripture when Jesus talks about herds of sheep in the Bible following the wrong path. We are confused Americans following the wrong path today not knowing right from wrong. What has our society come to?

Nelson’s song also uses emotion to express his beliefs. It is not factual but many people living in the United States today can understand the pain and anger he feels toward Bush and the other Political figures involved in the decision to invade Iraq. His message makes some very compelling points, but it would be difficult to see if anyone changed their thoughts on the war in Iraq as a result of this song.

The song itself is very well constructed, as it takes a traditionally right wing pro war vehicle like the Bible and uses it to support anti-war sentiments. Unfortunately, it was sung by Willie Nelson, whose credibility among the pro-war Republicans is extremely low. In asking ourselves if this song effectively laid out an anti-war argument, the answer is yes. Additionally, it used Christianity to support this argument, further adding ‘credibility’ to the argument. However, if a political song’s success is defined by the changes that are a result of the song, the answer would have to be no. We are a nation so divided that it is unlikely anyone who does not already agree with Nelson would even hear the song.

Quoted material from song lyrics. "Whatever Happened to Peace on Earth"

Rock N Roll Jesus

Kid Rock’s “Rock N Roll Jesus” tells the story of a “savior” that has returned to save everyone from the devil by converting their views on music to Rock and Roll. The speaker in this song tells of a man who has come to spread the good news about this music and preach the gospel on the revival of Rock and Roll. The speaker refers to himself throughout as “Rock N Roll Jesus” and explains that there is nothing needed to join his movement, but that he will set you free. He attempts to play off of the audience’s emotions as well as their knowledge of his credibility as an artist. This song has a religious overtone to it that can be seen as both effective and ineffective. The speaker is attempting to use Jesus and a religious theme to sway peoples’ opinions on how they should feel about the song. In the same sense, the speaker’s reference to himself as “Rock N Roll Jesus” is an attempt to gain credibility with the audience by making them think he is as credible a person as Jesus is. Although Kid Rock’s “Rock N Roll Jesus” may offend some because of its religious overtones, the song successfully conveys its intended message and is thematically consistent throughout.
“Rock N Roll Jesus” paints a clear picture for its entire audience when telling the intended message of the song. This song refers to the speaker as “Rock and Roll Jesus”, a savior for the music genre of Rock and Roll that is back to “save” everyone that he can and convert them to Rock and Roll fans. He tells of how he is here to enlighten everyone about the Rock and Roll revival that he has started and how if he cannot gain their allegiance in time, the devil will get them.

Sittin’ high on a mountain top holdin’ shop spreadin’ the good news
Been alotta false prophets and quick hits
And a lot of un-American bullshit
But the time has come to settle and the devil’s gonna make you choose.

These lines show the religious overtone that is present throughout the song. The first line in this quote shows the speaker’s belief that he above anyone else is capable of “spreadin’ the good news” of Rock and Roll, as is evident by his sitting on top of a mountain spreading this news. The next two lines tell of the speaker’s disapproval of the previous attempts to revive the genre of Rock and Roll as he speaks of “false prophets and quick hits”, or artists that have come along feeling that their songs will turn around Rock and Roll for the better. The last line tells of the speaker’s belief that if he does not save his audience and convert them to the life of Rock and Roll, the devil will make them choose. His threat of “the devil’s gonna make you choose” is a play on the devil scaring you into choosing between a life that eventually leads to heaven, or one that leads to hell. In this case, if the speaker cannot make you choose, the devil will make you choose between a life of Rock and Roll or hell. These four lines virtually speak for the entire song in that they show the message that this song attempts to convey; that “Rock N Roll Jesus” is back to revive Rock and Roll, spread the good news about this music, and convert people to the genre.

The speaker in this song constructs his argument and approach to getting his message across in a risky, straightforward style. He tells his audience exactly what he wants to them to hear and does not shift around his words to make his message sound less controversial. This approach plays on both the audience’s emotions as well as their trust in the credibility of the speaker. By relying on the religious theme of the song to gain him credibility, the speaker is playing on the audience’s emotions at the same time. By referring to himself as “Rock N Roll Jesus” the speaker is relying on gaining credibility by distinguishing himself as “Jesus.” He feels that referring to himself as “Jesus” will grant him trust in the audience due to the great amount of credibility Jesus has. This straightforward, in-your-face approach to “converting” listeners to Rock and Roll, I feel, is ineffective. The speaker’s targeted audience, I feel, is not as likely to respond to this type of approach, especially when dealing with religion in such a straightforward manner. I feel that the artist almost loses some of the credibility that he has as a major recording artist when he attempts to attract listeners by forcing certain beliefs on them.

It’s all sex, drugs, rock n roll
A soul sensation that you can’t control
And you can see I practice what I preach
I’m your rock n roll Jesus

These four lines show the negatives of the approach that the artist takes in delivering his message. Once hearing these lines, every bit of credibility that the speaker had is nullified. He speaks of his use of sex and drugs and the popularity that these things have in the world of Rock and Roll. The third line shows that he uses the afore mentioned when he says, “I practice what I preach.” When he follows that line with “I’m your rock n roll Jesus”, he loses any bit of trust that the audience had instilled in him as an artist. While the two things mentioned previously are growing more and more common these days, especially among younger men and women, they are not condoned by most. The speaker’s acceptance of these two controversial subjects go a long way to turning many listeners away from this genre of music. The speaker’s repetitive mention of being “Rock N Roll Jesus” along with his stated use of sex and drugs proves that his method of attracting listeners to the Rock and Roll genre is ineffective.

I feel that the speaker’s argument and attempt at attracting listeners to the Rock and Roll genre of music is very much ineffective. His claim that he is the “Jesus” of Rock and Roll completely denies his attempt at drawing in a new audience. His head-on approach to bringing people to his side of music is gone about in a negative way, pushing most listeners farther away from the genre than when he began his argument. He does this by not only claiming to be “Jesus” but also by speaking of his use of sex and drugs and making it apparent to the listeners that those things come with being a fan of Rock and Roll. If not already a fan, I would be completely turned off from the Rock and Roll genre after hearing this song and the argument behind it. The speaker, while staying consistent in his approach to sway listeners to Rock and Roll, does a pitiful job attempting to change the view of his audience on this particular genre because of the examples he chooses to show of the life of a Rock and Roll fan.

Kid Rock’s “Rock N Roll Jesus” tells the story of a “savior” that has returned to save everyone from the devil by converting their views on music to Rock and Roll. The speaker in this song tells of a man who has come to spread the good news about this music and preach the gospel on the revival of Rock and Roll. The speaker refers to himself throughout as “Rock N Roll Jesus” and explains that there is nothing needed to join his movement, but that he will set you free. He attempts to play off of the audience’s emotions as well as their knowledge of his credibility as an artist. This song has a religious overtone to it that can be seen as both effective and ineffective. The speaker is attempting to use Jesus and a religious theme to sway peoples’ opinions on how they should feel about the song. In the same sense, the speaker’s reference to himself as “Rock N Roll Jesus” is an attempt to gain credibility with the audience by making them think he is as credible a person as Jesus is. Although Kid Rock’s “Rock N Roll Jesus” may offend some because of its religious overtones, the song successfully conveys its intended message and is thematically consistent throughout.
“Rock N Roll Jesus” paints a clear picture for its entire audience when telling the intended message of the song. This song refers to the speaker as “Rock and Roll Jesus”, a savior for the music genre of Rock and Roll that is back to “save” everyone that he can and convert them to Rock and Roll fans. He tells of how he is here to enlighten everyone about the Rock and Roll revival that he has started and how if he cannot gain their allegiance in time, the devil will get them.

Sittin’ high on a mountain top holdin’ shop spreadin’ the good news
Been alotta false prophets and quick hits
And a lot of un-American bullshit
But the time has come to settle and the devil’s gonna make you choose.

These lines show the religious overtone that is present throughout the song. The first line in this quote shows the speaker’s belief that he above anyone else is capable of “spreadin’ the good news” of Rock and Roll, as is evident by his sitting on top of a mountain spreading this news. The next two lines tell of the speaker’s disapproval of the previous attempts to revive the genre of Rock and Roll as he speaks of “false prophets and quick hits”, or artists that have come along feeling that their songs will turn around Rock and Roll for the better. The last line tells of the speaker’s belief that if he does not save his audience and convert them to the life of Rock and Roll, the devil will make them choose. His threat of “the devil’s gonna make you choose” is a play on the devil scaring you into choosing between a life that eventually leads to heaven, or one that leads to hell. In this case, if the speaker cannot make you choose, the devil will make you choose between a life of Rock and Roll or hell. These four lines virtually speak for the entire song in that they show the message that this song attempts to convey; that “Rock N Roll Jesus” is back to revive Rock and Roll, spread the good news about this music, and convert people to the genre.

The speaker in this song constructs his argument and approach to getting his message across in a risky, straightforward style. He tells his audience exactly what he wants to them to hear and does not shift around his words to make his message sound less controversial. This approach plays on both the audience’s emotions as well as their trust in the credibility of the speaker. By relying on the religious theme of the song to gain him credibility, the speaker is playing on the audience’s emotions at the same time. By referring to himself as “Rock N Roll Jesus” the speaker is relying on gaining credibility by distinguishing himself as “Jesus.” He feels that referring to himself as “Jesus” will grant him trust in the audience due to the great amount of credibility Jesus has. This straightforward, in-your-face approach to “converting” listeners to Rock and Roll, I feel, is ineffective. The speaker’s targeted audience, I feel, is not as likely to respond to this type of approach, especially when dealing with religion in such a straightforward manner. I feel that the artist almost loses some of the credibility that he has as a major recording artist when he attempts to attract listeners by forcing certain beliefs on them.

It’s all sex, drugs, rock n roll
A soul sensation that you can’t control
And you can see I practice what I preach
I’m your rock n roll Jesus

These four lines show the negatives of the approach that the artist takes in delivering his message. Once hearing these lines, every bit of credibility that the speaker had is nullified. He speaks of his use of sex and drugs and the popularity that these things have in the world of Rock and Roll. The third line shows that he uses the afore mentioned when he says, “I practice what I preach.” When he follows that line with “I’m your rock n roll Jesus”, he loses any bit of trust that the audience had instilled in him as an artist. While the two things mentioned previously are growing more and more common these days, especially among younger men and women, they are not condoned by most. The speaker’s acceptance of these two controversial subjects go a long way to turning many listeners away from this genre of music. The speaker’s repetitive mention of being “Rock N Roll Jesus” along with his stated use of sex and drugs proves that his method of attracting listeners to the Rock and Roll genre is ineffective.

I feel that the speaker’s argument and attempt at attracting listeners to the Rock and Roll genre of music is very much ineffective. His claim that he is the “Jesus” of Rock and Roll completely denies his attempt at drawing in a new audience. His head-on approach to bringing people to his side of music is gone about in a negative way, pushing most listeners farther away from the genre than when he began his argument. He does this by not only claiming to be “Jesus” but also by speaking of his use of sex and drugs and making it apparent to the listeners that those things come with being a fan of Rock and Roll. If not already a fan, I would be completely turned off from the Rock and Roll genre after hearing this song and the argument behind it. The speaker, while staying consistent in his approach to sway listeners to Rock and Roll, does a pitiful job attempting to change the view of his audience on this particular genre because of the examples he chooses to show of the life of a Rock and Roll fan.

Kid Rock’s “Rock N Roll Jesus” tells the story of a “savior” that has returned to save everyone from the devil by converting their views on music to Rock and Roll. The speaker in this song tells of a man who has come to spread the good news about this music and preach the gospel on the revival of Rock and Roll. The speaker refers to himself throughout as “Rock N Roll Jesus” and explains that there is nothing needed to join his movement, but that he will set you free. He attempts to play off of the audience’s emotions as well as their knowledge of his credibility as an artist. This song has a religious overtone to it that can be seen as both effective and ineffective. The speaker is attempting to use Jesus and a religious theme to sway peoples’ opinions on how they should feel about the song. In the same sense, the speaker’s reference to himself as “Rock N Roll Jesus” is an attempt to gain credibility with the audience by making them think he is as credible a person as Jesus is. Although Kid Rock’s “Rock N Roll Jesus” may offend some because of its religious overtones, the song successfully conveys its intended message and is thematically consistent throughout.
“Rock N Roll Jesus” paints a clear picture for its entire audience when telling the intended message of the song. This song refers to the speaker as “Rock and Roll Jesus”, a savior for the music genre of Rock and Roll that is back to “save” everyone that he can and convert them to Rock and Roll fans. He tells of how he is here to enlighten everyone about the Rock and Roll revival that he has started and how if he cannot gain their allegiance in time, the devil will get them.

Sittin’ high on a mountain top holdin’ shop spreadin’ the good news
Been alotta false prophets and quick hits
And a lot of un-American bullshit
But the time has come to settle and the devil’s gonna make you choose.

These lines show the religious overtone that is present throughout the song. The first line in this quote shows the speaker’s belief that he above anyone else is capable of “spreadin’ the good news” of Rock and Roll, as is evident by his sitting on top of a mountain spreading this news. The next two lines tell of the speaker’s disapproval of the previous attempts to revive the genre of Rock and Roll as he speaks of “false prophets and quick hits”, or artists that have come along feeling that their songs will turn around Rock and Roll for the better. The last line tells of the speaker’s belief that if he does not save his audience and convert them to the life of Rock and Roll, the devil will make them choose. His threat of “the devil’s gonna make you choose” is a play on the devil scaring you into choosing between a life that eventually leads to heaven, or one that leads to hell. In this case, if the speaker cannot make you choose, the devil will make you choose between a life of Rock and Roll or hell. These four lines virtually speak for the entire song in that they show the message that this song attempts to convey; that “Rock N Roll Jesus” is back to revive Rock and Roll, spread the good news about this music, and convert people to the genre.
The speaker in this song constructs his argument and approach to getting his message across in a risky, straightforward style. He tells his audience exactly what he wants to them to hear and does not shift around his words to make his message sound less controversial. This approach plays on both the audience’s emotions as well as their trust in the credibility of the speaker. By relying on the religious theme of the song to gain him credibility, the speaker is playing on the audience’s emotions at the same time. By referring to himself as “Rock N Roll Jesus” the speaker is relying on gaining credibility by distinguishing himself as “Jesus.” He feels that referring to himself as “Jesus” will grant him trust in the audience due to the great amount of credibility Jesus has. This straightforward, in-your-face approach to “converting” listeners to Rock and Roll, I feel, is ineffective. The speaker’s targeted audience, I feel, is not as likely to respond to this type of approach, especially when dealing with religion in such a straightforward manner. I feel that the artist almost loses some of the credibility that he has as a major recording artist when he attempts to attract listeners by forcing certain beliefs on them.

It’s all sex, drugs, rock n roll
A soul sensation that you can’t control
And you can see I practice what I preach
I’m your rock n roll Jesus

These four lines show the negatives of the approach that the artist takes in delivering his message. Once hearing these lines, every bit of credibility that the speaker had is nullified. He speaks of his use of sex and drugs and the popularity that these things have in the world of Rock and Roll. The third line shows that he uses the afore mentioned when he says, “I practice what I preach.” When he follows that line with “I’m your rock n roll Jesus”, he loses any bit of trust that the audience had instilled in him as an artist. While the two things mentioned previously are growing more and more common these days, especially among younger men and women, they are not condoned by most. The speaker’s acceptance of these two controversial subjects go a long way to turning many listeners away from this genre of music. The speaker’s repetitive mention of being “Rock N Roll Jesus” along with his stated use of sex and drugs proves that his method of attracting listeners to the Rock and Roll genre is ineffective.
I feel that the speaker’s argument and attempt at attracting listeners to the Rock and Roll genre of music is very much ineffective. His claim that he is the “Jesus” of Rock and Roll completely denies his attempt at drawing in a new audience. His head-on approach to bringing people to his side of music is gone about in a negative way, pushing most listeners farther away from the genre than when he began his argument. He does this by not only claiming to be “Jesus” but also by speaking of his use of sex and drugs and making it apparent to the listeners that those things come with being a fan of Rock and Roll. If not already a fan, I would be completely turned off from the Rock and Roll genre after hearing this song and the argument behind it. The speaker, while staying consistent in his approach to sway listeners to Rock and Roll, does a pitiful job attempting to change the view of his audience on this particular genre because of the examples he chooses to show of the life of a Rock and Roll fan.

The Pretender by Foo Fighters

Beat remains constant, the cords are pulsing, but the lyrics give a listener a reason to think. The Foo Fighters make a statement of rebellion against war in their new song “The Pretender.” Thou the song is one of thousands of songs made to protest war it still is a fact that war is raging still in a time such as the 21st century. The lyrics in the song can be dark and eerie.

In the beginning lyrics of the song, “Send in your skeletons sing as their bones go marching in…again.” Clearly these lyrics have a reference to soldiers and the death of soldiers. If by “marching in…again” the soldiers are going somewhere and where the soldiers are going is to death. Skeletons marching to somewhere and singing as they depart can be construed to mean they are leaving for a battle. In a general thought, these lyrics are that war is a means of death and nothing more to the mind set of the speaker. By claiming the soldiers are nothing more than bones gives a depressing view about the hope of living once the soldiers leave and march to their demise. The speaker continues on with a sad almost hopeless view that war is never ending.

By the middle of the lyrics the speaker says: “I’m the voice inside your head you refuse to hear I’m the face that you have to face mirrored in your stare I’m what’s left, I’m what’s right I’m the enemy I’m the hand that will take you down bring you to your knees.” These lyrics are essential to the entire song. First the speaker has been introduced as a voice of reason and is speaking directly to the person who is the pretender. Next the speaker introduces himself to the pretender and then makes the claims of taking the pretender down. These lyrics are a threat from the speaker to the pretender to say he, the speaker, is talking no more of reason and will take action to reach his goals of defeating the pretender.

The persona of the speaker is as the lyrics suggest a voice of reason. The speaker is repeating that he is an individual void of thinking the same way of the pretender. The chorus asks the question of what if I (the speaker) say I’m not like the others (skeletons)? The speaker makes a clear statement to the pretender that he will not conform and be another skeleton. If the speaker can stand up for himself then maybe others will stand with him to fight against the pretender. The speaker rails against the pretender and speaks to a very specific crowd.

The song is rock and roll and a common listener of this song would be someone who is in their late teens and far into their twenty’s. The audience is narrow but it is well suited for the fact that the song is loud and fast. The artist of the song never muffles the lyrics under the music of the song, so any average listener could he what he sing about. By doing the lyrics and music at the same level of sound allows the artist to get his message out in form that a teenager can digest. Teenagers and young adults can certainly just dance to the fast beat of the song and not catch a word to miss the all the anti-war lyrics. Listening to the song over and over a listener could be aware of the dark lyric about skeletons, as mentioned above teenagers might not here all the lyrics and take the time to analyze the text, but maybe hearing a few lyrics and singing with the song could grow some anti-war feelings as teenagers can be impressionable.

The artist is making statements of ethos and reason to a young audience. Restating over and over that he won’t pretend and is taking up action should draw a following of others to stand with him and follow his bold actions. A leader is what the speaker is and he appeals to his audience in sad manner by stating that skeletons are marching off to battle. The listener may have some reason to follow the artist but his message can be lost by playing the lyrics with loud and fast rock and roll.

The song is rock and roll dance music with a political statement to be found underneath the music. If the artist makes a statement against war his message can be lost in the loud head banging song that he created with the lyrics. At best the song might change a few people’s mind-set about war, but for the most part the song feels like a good crowd dancing head banging jam for a concert performed in front of a few thousand teens screaming the chorus line. The crowds of listeners to this song are young and still maturing into their adulthood

The song is the speaker refusing to pretend that he will see war as something good. With his statement against war and standing up by himself should inspire his listeners to follow his thoughts about independent thinking, but it still is a head banging song. A truly remarkable song that reveals the speakers hate towards war and the pretender who he is taking actions against.

"Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue"

After 9/11, patriotism in America exploded. Patriotism came to the forefront in all aspects of life including the media, movies, school, church, fashion, bumper stickers and yard decorations, music and politics. Our country united so strongly that the web of hypocrisy that had woven its way into the fabric of America just disappeared (for the time being). Differences in race, economics and politics were quickly put aside as our nation banded together to chase the anti-American demons from our doorsteps.



As a result of this earth shattering event, many American entertainers grabbed on to the patriotic spirit of the American people and used it as material for their work.. Toby Keith emerged as one of the vocal leaders of the patriotic movement. The macho man gave his efforts to show everyone that listened to his lyrics just what Old Glory stood for. His song, “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue”, immediately made it to the top of the country music charts. Listening to this song pumped up the listener and made him/her proud to be an American. It reassured us and told us not to fear—we would put a boot in the enemy’s posterior and kick him into eternity, just like America has always done to her enemies (lines 39, 40 of the song). American had been the champion of freedom and is considered the leader of the world. Then, a group of extremists came charging into our world, unafraid, and gave us a “sucker punch from the back” (line 17 and 18 of the song). How dare them!!! These extremists made every effort to dim the lights of freedom that had been paid for many times with the blood of our friends and families before us. Keith’s own father lost his right eye in the army but his loyalty to the flag never faltered (lines 8, 9, 10 of the song). The Red, White and Blue will always stand for “a lot of men dead so we can sleep in peace at night” (line 5, 6).



Toby Keith reached his goal of fostering patriotism in a society reeling from the devastation of the first foreign attack on our soil. In “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue,” Keith sings about time-enduring icons that are symbols of American life. The tone of his voice makes it easy for me to visualize the Statue of Liberty shaking her fist, Uncle Sam writing Bin Laden and Hussein and other Muslims at the top of his list, a soaring eagle, and Mother Freedom, in a Puritan style dress, ringing the Liberty Bell. Toby Keith makes a convincing argument that if you push the button too hard, America will fight and will win (Justice will be served…from the fifth verse of the song). This is the same image that Toby Keith wants his audience to have of him. When Toby entertains his audience, he wears a beard, hat, jeans and boots. The rugged look demonstrates that he is not afraid to face those that question his physical toughness. From my point of view, I believe he would defend my freedom to the bitter end, but he would gladly kick my posterior if I questioned what our ancestors had sacrificed for all of us to be happy. Protestors against our flag would not go very far with Toby Keith. If you are not willing to be an asset when times are troubled, then you have no place in the America that Toby Keith knows.



Politically, Toby Keith is rallying the masses to stand up for the troops as they are willing to risk their lives without reservation. The dastardly deeds of the extremists must not go unpunished. Saddam Hussein felt the whole world raining down on him as the wrath of America chased him into exile (see lines 31 and 32). As time progressed, he first lost control of his country and then he lost his life. These events happened just as Toby predicted in his song. In the years following 9/11 and the release of “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” in 2002, patriotism has declined and American citizens are even now questioning our involvement in the Iraq War. As the hawks of our society feed heavily on the conservative view of military support, the doves are ready to challenge why the American forces are engaged in the Iraq conflict. As time progresses, many Americans have adopted the view that this war was fought for the right to purchase the dwindling oil supplies of a region torn in internal as well as external conflict. This war was not about weapons of mass destruction. Saddam Hussein was not a major threat to our world with the exception of the fact that he was the key to the oil reserves of Iraq.



Despite the controversy over the validity of the war in Iraq, Toby Keith’s message has been enthusiastically received by most Americans, particularly the country music listener. From my experience, the country music listener tends to be very patriotic. Even though many possess a redneck image, the fact that they are willing to defend our country makes them an invaluable member of society. I personally know several teenagers from my rural hometown who were inspired to join the National Guard partly as a result of Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue”. One is presently serving in Iraq, and the two others are on their way. Those of us who honestly care want our troops to defend our way of life. Even though the political parties have now formed a wedge in our country, our troops must be revered.



On the opposite end of the patriotic message Toby Keith has vividly portrayed, forces in our government are clamoring for an end to the Iraq War before intended objectives are met. Our Congressional delegation is fighting to determine even the finances of a war gone badly in the eyes of so many. Democratic candidates for the Presidential elections in 2008 are advocating for a quick end to a war that has helped to bankrupt America. Troops must be returned home. Regardless of the devastation that will occur for not finishing the task at hand, most Americans want a change. As we have engaged in yet another effort to protect our way of life, this time from the forces of terrorism, Americans realize we are involved in a political battle that we cannot win or lose.



Toby Keith has done a masterful job at rallying the patriotism spirit of the American people and no matter what side of the political fence you are on, all true Americans would have to agree with every word in “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue”. This song is a classic because it will stand the test of time. Most importantly, it makes us proud and confident that we are Americans.