BOBILES, EDWIN D.B.

[BSBA HRDM 3-2]

Topic: Global Media Cultures
Exercise 6. Song Analysis

Music makers are entangled by the cultural, economic, and political dynamics of globalization (El Ghadban, 2014).
Harrington and Bielby (2001, from El Ghadban, 2014) also noted considering music as popular requires “value judgment”
depending on the importance the music plays in everyday social activities and its “engagement with power and with
Otherness.”

For this topic, analyze the social and cultural, as well as economic and political undercurrents, in Philippine context,
of the following popular songs. What impacts do these songs have for Filipinos? In the last column, give your hypothesis
why you think these songs became “trending” in the Philippines. Limit your answers to maximum of three sentences for
each cell. (30 pts.)

Why do you think this song

SONG
1. Naririnig Mo Ba? by
Ben and Ben
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=P2BhsHX7EqM
Socio-cultural
(Maximum Score: 3 points
each)
Even the song has been
described by the band as
song dedicated to our family
with all the we going through
[“Isang alay sa ating mga
kapamilya. Para sa bigat ng
mga pangyayari ngayon.”] as
it revolves a realistic
depiction of family learning to
speaks their mind to listen
because of love. Although
each song has countless
meaning depending on who
listen it can also be describe
in the current society we are
living in. The arise of
pandemic has been also the
Economic/Political
(Maximum Score: 3 points
each)
As the song has been
released while we are on
pandemic, we cannot neglect
that this song also tackles
about the voice that our
community continuously
voicing out about pandemic.
With this lyrics “Tayo ba ay
naging makasarili?
Sarado ba’ng tenga sa mga
hiling?”. Will be interpreted
according to me as the
current government we are
having, with question mark,
is the government working on
or not even listening on the
things that the people to say.
is popular in the
Philippines?
(Maximum Score: 4 points
each)
We cannot disregard that this
song become one of the
trending topic. Because it is
lowkey shade to our country
as it become the voice of the
people who cannot speak
their thought out and uplift
the Filipino spirits to voice
out.
 rise of many opinions, we
have the rights but who can
listen to those words with
respect.
2. Exile by Taylor Swift Like how the emotions is to
Link: complex, exile evolve around
https://youtu.be/osdoLjUN the story of two lovers who
FnA? ended their relationship and
list=PLINj2JJM1jxNNBnGb thinking who has more fault
3WvHmcyCyfl0VlJX that can be seen always in
Facebook newsfeed of
Filipino citizen trying to be
part of the story even not.
This kind of situation always
arouse the mind of the
people on whether who has
more right to be angry and
who’s fault because of the
failed relationship. That
sometime involve “kabit” and
“chismosa”
3. Dynamite by BTS During an interview with
Link: Zane Lowe, RM described
https://www.youtube.com/ “Dynamite” as being “made
watch?v=gdZLi9oWNZg of positive vibes, energy,
hope, love, the purity,
everything.” Like how the
Pilipino culture has always
been. Being positive despite
the pandemic and the recent
typhoon has never shaken
the spirit of every Pilipino. As
the lyrics are a much-needed
burst of joy and invitation to
Although not a lover the
position of president and vice
president in the government
always involve whose better
and not. We cannot clearly
conclude that Exile is about
politics. But when if I could
interpret it, this kind of song
can be described on the
highest position in
government as the people
compare whose better and at
always fault.
This song has been the
product of time during the
coronavirus pandemic. Even
with the failing time of the
economy and the darkest
time that the people
experience. The government
should be the brightest in
terms of darkness as they
should be the light thinking
on what can we do right now,
what can we do really good
in uplifting their citizen.
As being hurt is always the
partner of being in love. This
song has taken its position in
the ears of people aside from
the fact that the singer is
already popular. This song
can be related to the people
who always point out the
flaws of others, blaming each
other, and reiterating that it
will never work out.
It was song as "expression of
care" with a high-energy,
ultra-fun music video and full
of bright colors. That the
energy of the song was so
fun and fitting, and
considering the ongoing
situation around the world it
could be a way of uplifting
the spirit of people.
 join them, dance, and be a
light, even when the world
seems a little dark at this
time.

SONG ANALYSIS RUBRICS

Socio-cultural Economic/Political Why do you think this song is popular in the

SONG (Max. Score: 3 pts (Max. Score: 3 pts Philippines? (Max. Score: 4 pts each)
each) each)
1. Naririnig Mo Ba? 3: The student was able to present a clear 4: The student was able to present a clear
By Ben and Ben connection of the song to the Philippine connection of the song to the Philippine context
context or situation. or situation, and there was connection to some
2. Exile by Taylor concepts/arguments presented in the
Swift 2: The argument is clear, but no readings/discussions.
explanation provided.
3: The student was able to present a clear
3. Dynamite by BTS 1: No clear response provided. The student connection of the song to the Philippine context
did not provide context nor clear or situation, but no connection to some
statement. Response was written in concepts/arguments presented in the
phrases. readings/discussions was given.

0: No response was provided 2: The argument is clear, but no explanation

provided.

1: No clear response provided. The student did

not provide context nor clear statement.
Response was written in phrases.

0: No response was provided