Abstract This paper is a comparison of Peter Gabriel's 1977 song "Solsbury Hill" to the group Erasure's cover with an discussion of what coversongs are. It includes a brief discussion about Erasure and an explanation of the history of the coversong.
From the Paper "This paper will compare the song Solsbury Hill originally recorded in by Peter Gabriel to the recent release of Solsbury Hill as covered by the group Erasure. First however there will be a brief discussion about the background of the group Erasure followed .."
Tags: Peter Gabriel, Solsbury Hill, Erasure, Genesis, CoverSongs, Andy Bell, Vince Clark.
Abstract The paper discusses the ancient Chinese "Book of Songs," a book of poems each of which is set to music so it can be sung. The book consists of 305 poems categorized into folk songs, ceremonial songs, and sacrificial songs, based on their content and the style of the music. The paper examines the various styles of songs that make up the book and how these songs were used to celebrate many occasions.
From the Paper "Chinese literature has a long history that begins with Shi Jing, or the Book of Songs. The original title of the work was Shi (Poems) and later Shi Sanbai (Three Hundred Poems). Each of the poems was set to music so it could be sung. The book finally consisted of 305 poems categorized into folk songs, ceremonial songs, and sacrificial songs, based on their content and the style of the music. Folk songs were popular among the people and made up the best part of the book. Ceremonial songs and sacrificial songs were sung primarily on sacrificial or ceremonial occasions as a means of eulogizing the merits and virtues of the Son of Heaven and of his forefathers (Churchill paras. 1-2). Shi Jing is one of the seminal works of Chinese Civilization, serving this role along with the Book of Changes (Yi Jing), the Book of History (Shu Jing),.."
Abstract Songs often contain spiritual messages that can help those who are either victims of unpleasant circumstances or lack the courage to overcome misfortunes. The lyrics of many such songs urge people to face life with a cheerful and positive attitude. This paper discusses three such songs, which contain substance because they transcend any particular space or time and thus carry a universal message of wisdom and courage. The paper also focuses on such things as tone of the song, its central theme, rhyming, significance of oft-repeated lines etc.
Abstract This paper discusses two of Marley's songs: "Redemption Song" and "Get Up, Stand Up" and examines the protest behind the songs. Additionally, the paper focuses on why Marley chose to present his protests against the political system, racism and social inequality through his music and how Marley's unique style characterizes his works. Finally, the paper discusses how Marley's songs altered the conventional ideas of reggae style and the religious movement known as Rastafari and discusses how Marley's music was able to inspire a nation and her people.
From the Paper "Throughout history, expressions of protest have come from a variety of sources and through a vast plethora of mediums. From paintings to poetry, protest works have helped to shape many causes, and have in many cases even influenced the outcome of the cause for the protest. This type of influence and the ability to affect masses of people simultaneously is perhaps best shown in the world of music."
Abstract This paper examines the economy of the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE). It discusses its changes, successes, failures and the influence of Wang Anshi and his reforms. The paper also explores the factors that led to increased economic growth.
Tags:Song Dynasty, China, Northern Song, Southern Song, economics, Wang Anshi
Abstract In this article the writer provides an exploration of the use of the memory-street metaphor in song lyrics, from the 1960's to the present. The writer examines how the metaphor of roads is used in in different ways. The writer also presents various songs that illustrate and support the discussion.
From the Paper "The exploration of memory in song lyrics and the metaphor of roads memories and roads or streets have been the subject matter of numerous world famous songs. The use of roads as metaphors for human memory is effective because the two have a number of things in common, despite the reality that memory exists only metaphysically. Three features shared by memories and roads are the inevitability of change perspective and a linkage which allows the physical road to lead to an emotive response in the memory. "
Abstract This paper describes the CD recording "John Dowland Songs for Tenor and Lute", and notes that the tenor voice is the fundamental part and focal point while the lute acts as a background instrument, which adds variety and frills to the compositional piece. The paper also points out the similar sound of the historical lute to that of the contemporary Spanish guitar. The paper also points out that the performer of the lute in this recording is Paul O'Dette, born in 1954, who is both a musician and composer specializing in playing the lute and early music. In addition, the paper describes the various tracks, many of which sing of love, and the song "When Phoebus First Did Daphne Love". The writer believes that this recording is authentic recording and offers many insights into the music of its time period.
From the Paper "In this CD, almost every single track is set up the exact same way. The tenor is the only voice and is the main compositional piece of the music. The lute is there to add some background to the tenor voice. I also noticed that there is very little set rhythm through each piece. Each song on this recording is a song about love. Even though the recording is performed in English, the performer sings in way that makes it extremely difficult to understand and discern the words that he is actually singing. Out of 20 tracks, fifteen of the track's titles have to do with love."
Abstract This paper examines how in her novel "Song of Solomon", Toni Morrison uses the history of one black family and covers the period from the end of the Civil War to the time of the Civil Rights Movement. It looks at how the women of the family are witnesses to the disintegration of the black male and so of the black family and how, even as the family disintegrates, these women achieve a form of regeneration as they gain wisdom.
From the Paper "In Chapter 6, the idea of truth is seen to be based not on simple facts but on a broader and more encompassing truth involving history and patterns. Some of the patterns are revealed in the foreshadowing, as when Milkman says Hagar has been trying to kill him for months, and such allusions are numerous in the text to set the idea of violence and murder to come. The mention of the white robe is also one of many, with a repeated and vivid connotation to any object or person described as "white" in this novel--with little or no positive implications at the time. This particular example not only suggests the white robes of an angel with a halo, but also the white robes of the Klu Klux Klan."
Abstract This paper comments that the "The Song of Solomon" is one of the most controversial pieces in the Old Testament due to its erotic nature and references to sexuality. The paper then relates that many believe the Song of Songs does not belong in the Bible, and certain faiths refuse to include it, while others believe it is an essential part of the Bible with an important message. The paper also relates that still others feel it is essential as a sexual primer for a committed, married, heterosexual couple. The paper then examines arguments for including the Song of Songs in Holy Scripture, but acknowledges that the reasons are varied and yet all are valid to the people who support them.
Outline:
Classifying the Books of the Bible
Song of Solomon as Allegory
Song of Solomon as a Message of Love
The Song of Solomon and Symbolism in Literature
The Denial of Desire
Conclusion
From the Paper "Why is the Song of Solomon included as scripture? One conjecture is that, purportedly embarrassed by the frank sensuality in the Song of Songs, "many (ancient) commentators have labeled the work an allegory - a fictional narrative in which characters, objects, and actions symbolize some higher truth. To Jews, the Song became an allegory of Yahweh's love for Israel; to Christians, it became an expression of Christ's love for his "bride," the church" (Harris, 2007, p. 263). These labels indicate that the erotic nature of the poem is actually a spiritual, rather than physical, element. The "higher purpose" the ancient commentators placed on the Song of Songs belies the frank sexual nature of the poems (the Songs are a collection of poems)."
Abstract This paper explains that, on "Disney Songs the Satchmo Way", Louis Armstrong re-interprets the music of very familiar songs associated with Disney by adding a jazz flair to each song resulting in a more enjoyable sound than in their original format. The author points out that the new style actually makes the songs a much mellower flavor, which flows along nicely instead of being choppy in places as in the original Disney style. The paper analyzes the songs "Chim Chim Cher-ee", "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo", "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" and "When You Wish upon a Star", all of which definitely have that New Orleans flavor with trumpets, trombones and various brass instruments playing Disney tunes.
From the Paper "Another aspect that struck me was my attitude towards the kind of songs being performed. I had always thought of these tunes as children's songs, just funny, cartoon type lyrics and music. The way, in which these tunes were performed by Louis Armstrong, I could actually see some of them making it onto the charts. Even though they are suppose to be fun songs, the new format somehow gave them a little more seriousness. "
Abstract By comparing Irving Berlin's song, "God Bless America", to Woody Guthrie's song "This Land is Your Land", this paper attempts to determine if Guthrie's song was a patriotic song or was intended as a way to open our eyes to what America had become. The paper relates that while Berlin's "God Bless America" projects a sense of pride, joy and gratification for a land of freedom, Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land", in addition to beginning with the same delight and honor in America, also describes the heartache and devastation that America faces in her own land. The paper concludes that the two songs were not written to convey the same emotions even though both use the poetic sightings of imagery, symbolism, visual connotations to express their feelings and tone.
From the Paper "Although, there are different concepts that Guthrie and Berlin used for America are quite simply stated in reading both poems, they both place focus on love for America as well as an undying devotion to her. Berlin placed great focus on the superior side of America and what she has to offer. While Guthrie, started off in the same manner, he turned it to asking the question "was this land made for you and me"? And if so then why do we have people hurting here? Why do we have signs to keep people out when in deed the other side was made for you and me? "
Abstract The writer looks at the song "Money", and raises the following points - Roger Waters? references to our social hierarchy, how his ideas relate to Thorstein Veblen's 'Theory of the Leisure Class', and class discrimination. This song brings to light concerns about our current economy. Bob Seger's song, "Feel Like A Number," also deals with the social hierarchy from the perspective of the workers that make up the majority of our society. This song has been related to Merton's Strain Theory for sociological purposes.
From the Paper The song "Money" seems to deal with people and their desire to possess more money. The song also implies that money is not such a wonderful thing to attain beyond a certain amount based on the fact that it gives the person too much power, or rather the belief that he has power. It seems to be broaching the idea of capitalism with skepticism. The message seems to be claiming that those with money and power let it get to their heads and do very little to help change the situations for those less fortunate. In a sense, Waters is disagreeing with the functionalist view that our society will work itself out. He words it as though he feels that it is dysfunctional in our society to allow the wealthy to hold their earnings with an iron grip.
Abstract This paper explains how Shakespeare's use of music and song in "Othello" strengthens our perspectives of the characters in the play and reveals the very distinct and opposite characters of Iago and Desdemona. On the one hand, the paper points out Iago's songs reveal the depth to which he will go to manipulate others and control situations, while Desdemona's songs, on the other hand, reveal her innocence. Finally, the paper concludes that, in "Othello", Shakespeare demonstrates the power of music through the songs the main characters sing, while also illustrating that there can be more to music than meets the eye.
From the Paper "In his play, Othello, Shakespeare presents us with unusual opportunities to understand character through song. While we often think of music as a form of entertainment, Iago and Desdemona demonstrate another use of music with their songs. Iago successfully uses his songs to further his evil desires. In short, his songs are trick to get Cassio drunk. In contrast, Desdemona sings as a form of expression to release her inner feelings, most of which she cannot understand. Both of these characters demonstrate that the power of music not only lives beyond words but it can also change lives. Iago and Desdemona reveal more of their true selves through song."
Abstract This paper looks at the lyrics and music of eighteen songs to see what they say about work, about workers, and about the effects of work on the worker.The paper reviews songs like "Old Man River," showing how this song has a plaintive power in keeping with its role in Showboat as the song of a black workman linked to the river and seeing himself as humbled by comparison. The Jim Croce version uses slightly different lyrics, but the underlying sense of the humble worker acing the eternal river remains.
From the Paper "The music creates a certain sense of melancholy at the same time. The song says much about the worker in a natural setting and how he or she relates to the enormity of the job. 16 Tons This song has a low-down, almost conspiratorial sound, in part from Ford's deep voice. The song evokes the work of the miner and says much about how the individual is overwhelmed and even exploited by the company for which he works, a company that keeps him in hock by selling goods to him from its own store. The song suggests the plight of the worker, who expends all the energy and reaps few of the rewards."
Abstract This paper focuses on William Blake's two poems, "Songs of Innocence" and "Songs of Experience." It aims to show how the two poems together form a seamless whole that aim to portray the world as seen by what Blake calls "the two contrasting states of the human soul." The paper analyzes the poems in the context of the mythology put forth in Blake's prophetic works. Illustrations of the poems are included with the paper.
From the Paper "As the poems of Songs of Innocence and of Experience show, Blake's account of the Fall at work within the human soul is more descriptive than it is moralistically sentimental. His much more nuanced view is of innocence as a state of unification and creative power but a lack of agency, and of the fall to experience as the inevitable and necessary process of individuation, bringing with it subjectivity and its more varied perceptions. Interestingly enough, in this conception of the Fall, Blake anticipated, as Abrams notes, the "fall" that is the malaise of modern culture, essentially "a mode of psychic disintegration and of resultant alienation from oneself, one's world, and one's fellow human beings" (39). In this respect at least, Blake was indeed prophetic."
