Emily Lam

Jackie Burr, Instructor

English 2010

10 February 2021

1. This is America -- Childish Gambino (2018)

a. Childish Gambino or better known as Donald Glover has said he wants to leave
this song up to interpretation. Listeners should draw their own conclusion this
song details the prominent issues this song and the accompanying music video
sparks. The biggest topics that are clear to see is it covers racial and gun
violence, and the way society is so distracted by superficial things like Hollywood
or materialistic tendencies that they aren’t seeing the atrocities. I’ve liked this
song because it invokes a lot of emotions and reminds me that the topics
discussed in the video are still relevant.
2. War -- Bob Marley & The Wailers (1976) & grandson (2017)
a. There is a cover of this song by grandson which gives it a more modern touch of
the song but either way, both are amazing. This song covers that until
discrimination and judgment of others stops there will be waring with the human
race. The music alone is good but the message is strong in saying that we are
the cause of our demise. However, in strictly the Bob Marley version he
discusses how western civilization has disrupted the peace on the African
continent, and for that reason Africans will fight until they win.
3. Hold On Just A Little While Longer -- Cleophus Robinson Jr 1980
a. This song was used in a popular game called Detriot: Become Human which
gave it a more powerful meaning despite being written a long time ago. It’s a
choir song which is a surprise why I like it but the few phrases are simple and to
the point. Endurance and you will win is the whole message of the song and it’s
amazing. In the context of it being featured in a game about discrimination and
racism*
4. Passerine -- The Oh Hellos (2018)
a. The Oh Hellos are one of my all-time favorite artists, their messages in their
songs have been heavily discussed by all of their listeners. Their four-album
series deals with the sentence, “Where do my ideas come from?” With every new
album, they take another approach to that phrase and create beautiful works. My
Spotify wrapped has me being their top 0.5%. his song weighs heavily on
Christianity and how with time instead of being kind and song they have changed
into wanting the power of the Roman Empire after they crucified Jesus. They
have corrupted themselves with ideologies with thoughts of grandeur and greater
purpose that they have completely abandoned the faith’s original message.
Despite not being religious in any way, shape, or form the lyrics and the melody
of this have made it one of my all-time favorite songs.
5. Pilocene -- Cosmo Sheldrake (2018)
a. Cosmo Sheldrake is known for using actual nature songs in his work and avid
works to help aviaries with donating large sums of the profit from his works to
them. In his works, he uses the singing from extinct birds in his music and
showcases the somberness of how the only way you can hear the birds now is
through recordings. His songs also integrate folklore tales and references from
Alice in Wonderland which has a mystical touch. When I’m stuck on an island
having something that reminds me of “where the wild things are” I think it would
be a good addition.
6. I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire -- The Ink Spots (1941)
a. This song is rustic in all forms since it was made during the 1940s it was during
WW2. The song covers nuclear war, it’s lyrics are talking about how instead of
setting everything to flame the singer just wants to love someone. Nuclear bombs
and chemical warfare were prominent during this time and nihilism and romantic
longing songs were popular. It was also featured in a game called Fallout in
which game takes place post-WW2 after bombs have plagued America.