I am thinking about doing a mix tape cd for this project. This is my first time actually writing lyrics and trying to formulate a song and a flow so I thought that it would be best to try and experiment for this project because it is so free with what we do. I will not be the one on the tracks I will have other people but it will have a couple songs dealing with the whole stance of freedom and what it means to certain people and I will also take it from different view points as well. Here is one that I am trying to see if it works.
Ay freedom matters, for this girl for that boy, make sure you read tha chapters
cuz when it comes down to it yea freedom matters
We got people on the street tryna beg for a dolla
when the CEO walk by with his popped colla
we dont kno this man's story or how he got to be on the street
but Americans think it s so easy to get back on ya feet
yea we gree to have the world at our hands do what we want, we all got a plan
a lot wonder how to make it happen
everybody just tell us to tap in
my mesage is do whatever you want and what makes you feel good just dont harm ya self
try looking into your brain in the book of ya life on the top shelf
(HOOK)
when the beat comes around feel it in your heart and go make ya own sound
want it all and strive for it
tell the world this is you, no reply for it
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Hey Brown (Ashleigh?),
ReplyDeleteI think song is one of the most powerful mediums of conveying a sentiment, especially a political statement. Your language seems to work against capitalism in the beginning, which I like, especially given the status of your current economy.
Though, from this lyrical excerpt, I'm not quite sure what specific political statement you are trying to make. Freedom is such a broad concept; there are constitutional freedoms, and then are the economic freedoms, for example. I'm wondering if you are going in a direction that pits socialism against capitalism, and perhaps saying that capital America deprives many people of "freedom," (with this point in mind, these are the lines that come to mind: "We got people on the street tryna beg for a dolla / when the CEO walk by with his popped colla"). You say, before the sample writing, that you want to explore the word freedom from different view points and what this term means to a range of people. I think that will be effective in producing material, and it might be a good idea to hold off a bit on the songwriting and try to extract first-hand (not necessarily found), but first-hand material, perhaps some language, from some of the people you talk to. That would contribute, I think, to a really dynamic piece.
Something else: you said you will not be the one on the tracks. So are you not singing? I bet you have a lovely voice, I think you should reconsider. For real. Plus it might be more meaningful as the artist to be the one to share the language.
Sounds cool, good luck!
-Zach
Ashleigh,
ReplyDeleteQuite simply, I love this. I sensed the beat immediately, even as the words stare back at me on this staunch, white web page. I can only imagine the impact that this would have, if it were to be performed. It all goes back to the discussion we had in class on Thursday about the power music and rhythm has to transform. Awesome.
So, here are my thoughts...I think that this particular piece is talking about poverty and the downtrodden members of society. Then, you go on to encourage people to go for their dreams. I wonder that, instead of tying these two ideas together, they could be two separate songs. I'm thinking that maybe you could have one song that is uplifting and powerful-- the "single" of the album, if you will. Then, you can have maybe 5-6 other songs addressing issues where people are not always allowed to go for their dreams for a variety of issues (the homeless are a great example.) Just a thought.
This looks amazing!
Hey! This is so awesome first of all! I think the idea of music is amazing. I love it and have such a passion for it, so I feel like regardless, I am going to be a great connection to your work. My main question not necessarily something that should change or anything (because I love how it is already) is about the dialect. Is the cd going to be rapped? And are you planning on adding instruments or other voices. Maybe you could have some kind of beat running or even clips of like famous speeches about freedom and stuff merged with the music. Only some thoughts, but I love it. The language and dialect your wrote gives it an awesome and unique rhythm and flow.
ReplyDeleteThe only suggestion I can think of for this is the language thing. I understand about the genre of music of which this is a part, but who are you trying to reach here? Is it the people who are holding the money or the people who want the money? The reason I ask this because the target won't know it's been hit if it doesn't understand the language. If you write a hip-hop piece, don't expect to have anyone you're aiming at to be affected by it because they don't listen to this kind of music, by and large.
ReplyDeleteNow, I realize that might sound horribly bigoted of me to say that rick folks don't listen to that kind of music, I know it did to me as I was writing it, I feel kind of like an ass for having that come to mind, honestly, but I think it could be a fairly accurate statement, harsh or not. I mean if you were to look at demographics for upper class radio listeners and see what kind of music they listen to, would this sort of piece be anywhere near there? I doubt it, but I don't know for sure. Mostly classical, possibly, with a smidgen of non-committal light jazz thrown in perhaps. Or am I just stereo typing the crap out of everyone?
My thought is all aimed at reach. If you want to change anyone, you have to change the "enemy". The people that would hear this song are folks who most likely believe the same as you anyway, right? So why reach them? Maybe it's to create a movement of the masses, that could be.
I don't know, I've been thinking a lot about the poet in the dialog poetry we read and how he wrote in "proper" and even antiquated English sonnets. I think this had a more profound effect on the reader than the dialog poetry that would probably only get a few condescending chuckles from the stuffy old-boys-club types. Notice, I have a problem with the old-boy-club.
Anyway, my two cents.
Posting for Will:
ReplyDeleteI think a musical project is definitely something worth pursuing. I believe that song and music is a great medium for a political message and that the message could be given power by the music. However I do agree with the first comment in that I don't really know where you are going with this particular excerpt and I'm not totally sure what message you are trying to get across. I think that you're message needs to be refined. I also think that you could be a little more creative with your rhyme scheme. Maybe I'm missing something because I can't actually hear the beats, but it looks to me that the rhyme scheme is pretty bland. It goes back to what we were talking about in class, that a political bit of poetry also must satisfy the demands of good poetry. I would suggest to you reading the lyrics of a few rappers with a political message to see how they rhyme words. You should look at the lyrics the rapper Nas writes, especially on his most recent album "Untitled". it is a very political album and each song has a specific message. I think it is excellent and if you are going to pursue a musical project like this it is certainly something you should look into.