1) DJ Khaled, "All I Do Is Win", Hip Hop, 2010
2) B.o.B ft. Rivers Cuomo, "Magic", Alternative Hip Hop, 2010
3) Juelz Santana, "The Second Coming", Hip Hop, 2007
4) David Glen Eisley, "Sweet Victory", Rock and Roll, 2007
5) Trapt, "Headstrong", Alternative Metal, 2001
Liberation
1) Tupac, "Starin' Through My Rearview", Hip Hop, 2003
2) Eminem, "Lose Yourself", Rap, 2002
3) Far East Movement, "Rocketeer", Alternative Hip Hop, 2010
4) The Notorious B.I.G. ft. Bob Marley, "Hold Ya' Head", Rap, 2006
5) Metallica, "Fade to Black", Metal, 1984
Of the two aims, worldly success and liberation, worldly success was far more prevalent. There were many more songs out there that addressed this aim. Our society has a strong focus on worldly success. Riches, fame, envy, and other related things are often sung about and flaunted in order to attract attention and generate respect for oneself. People in our society view liberation as freedom from debt, stress, and the drudgery of work, and is not really a realistic aim that someone would adopt, unless, of course, it's through the subjects highlighted under worldly success, namely freedom through fortune.
Songs often speak of worldly success. Money, fame, fast cars, and women are easy to show off, and great ways to get attention and respect from those less fortunate. It endows people with aspirations to try to become like them. A particular observation I made is that worldly success was not entirely materialistic in many of the songs. For example, songs such as Trapt's “Headstrong” speak on the prowess required to push forward and attain success; to be the dominant alpha male in the course of your obstacles and face any challenge head-on. Also, I was surprised to find that songs of liberation were not entirely difficult to find. Many people share the epiphanies that they have come to realize through their songs and impart this wisdom onto others. Still, these songs were not as prevalent as songs about success.
The Hindu understanding of these two aims differs in some respects, but also shares many similarities. For example, liberation in the Hindu sense could primarily refer to moksha, or freedom from the cycle of life, whereas liberation in many American pop songs referred to simply taking a step back and overcoming the current situation, rather than looking at things in a larger scale. An example of a similarity can be found in terms of worldly success, in that both Hinduism and these pop songs regard worldly success in having strong value and veneration from others. Though the approach may be different, such as the comparison of being a priest versus being a celebrity, the overlying message is still similar in nature. In conclusion, similar to the previous aims of the last assignment, while there is a contrast in the literal expressions of the aims, there are certainly similar premises that are easily notable.
I think it's extremely interesting to read how you pointed out the similarities in the kind of success that is pursued in hinduism and that of westerners.It's true that being a priest is viewed as the utmost sign of success in hinduism as is being a politician, singer, or doctor in other countries. In both cultures, we can say that one strives to achieve "veneration" as a product of success. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteyou have some good taste in music
ReplyDeleteI think you've picked really great songs that really define American beliefs, and their contrasts to Hinduism. "All I Do Is Win" I feel like is a great choice because it directly talks about success, and the pride that people feel when they are successful. It is interesting because it really shows how Americans take great pride and are almost showy when they are successful but I feel that that isn't really what the aim of Hinduisim is trying to say, I feel that it is suppose to be done in a much more humble manner. Like you mentioned, American culture is fixiated on things such as riches and fame, and so I feel that 'success' songs also have to do with this in American music.
ReplyDeleteSuccess is very important in the American society because it is part of the American dream. At one point the American dream was the perfect family with the dog who lived in a story home with a picket fence. Today that dream has been personified ten folds. As Drake & Trey Songz sing in "Successful," "We want the money ,the cars, and the clothes... I suppose I just want to be successful." No longer is success measured by what you've done but by what you can buy.
ReplyDeleteGreat Work.
ReplyDelete