Kylie DeNiro

Mrs. Jackie Burr

English 2010
February 3, 2022
Heartsongs

I wanted this Heartsong project to represent a big part of my life in little snippets. Music is such
an expressive form of art, that can have no meaning to talking about a major issue. It has been one of the
most important components to who I have become. Every one of these songs has played a role in my
life, whether it was big or small. These songs are some of my favorites that deal with major social
issues.

“This is America” - Childish Gambino

Donald Glover, known as Childish Gambino, is a respected actor and rapper. Childish Gambino was one
of my favorite artists in 2016 and my parents still love this song. Released in 2018, “This is America”
comments on life in America and the culture as a black person. The music
video depicts a lot of disturbing scenes of children being unbothered by
violence and Donald being chased by an angry mob. This symbolizes how
people have become desensitized to events that reoccur. One of the most
prominent lines is “This is America, don’t catch you slippin’ now”. He is
referring to being on watch all the time or else something bad will happen
to you.
This is America, can't catch you slippin' now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYOjWnS4cMY

“Pumped Up Kicks” - Foster the People

“Pumped Up Kicks” is a classic 2010’s alternative indie hit from the album Torches. Torches is one of
my all time favorite albums and I listened to it heavily with my dad as a kid. The song is from the point
of view of an isolated and psychotic kid named Robert. It explores his mind and he dreams of violence
against his classmates and peers, wanting to commit a school shooting. One of the lines that is repeated
is “all the other kids with the pumped up kicks, you better run, better
run, outrun my gun”. From Robert’s point of view, he fantasizes about
people trying to outrun him.
Robert's got a quick hand, he'll look around the room, he won't
tell you his plan
He's got a rolled cigarette, hanging out his mouth, he's a cowboy
kid
Yeah, he found a six-shooter gun, in his dad's closet with a box
of fun things
I don't even know what but he's coming for you, yeah, he's
coming for you, wait
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ
“Dollhouse” - Melanie Martinez
Melanie Martinez’s “Dollhouse” is from her debut album Crybaby. Melanie Martinez is known for using
seemingly happy childhood scenarios and metaphorically connecting them to hard hitting social and
emotional issues. This album is one of my favorites from 2015 and she still is one of my favorite artists
today. Dollhouse is about a family that appears to be perfect, but on the inside the family is broken and
dysfunctional. She uses a dollhouse to depict the family and to tell the story of them. The mother is an
alcoholic, the father is having an affair, the son is engulfed with drugs and the daughter is the only one
that realizes what’s happening.

“Hey girl, open the walls, play with your dolls, we'll be a perfect
family
When you walk away is when we really play
You don't hear me when I say "Mom, please wake up, dad's with
a slut and your son is smoking cannabis"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcVv9R1ZR84

“I’ve Seen Footage” - Death Grips

Death Grips is an experimental hip-hop group from Sacramento,
California. The group consists of Stefan Burnett, also known as MC
Ride, Zach Hill and Andy Morin. “I’ve Seen Footage” is from the critically acclaimed album The
Money Store, released in 2012. This song is about internet consumption and how it desensitizes people.
MC Ride mentions how videos of decapitations, police brutality and other disturbing things cause him to
feel like he is living in a simulation and that he is viewing life
from the outside through video footage.

“Get up
Beats 'bout waist deep
Swallowed by beats
I stay niche
I stay-”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DigtCrO77L8

“Redemption Song” - Bob Marley

According to Rolling Stone, Redemption Song by Bob Marley is one of the Greatest Songs of All Time.
I remember my grandpa playing this song when I was young. When Bob Marley wrote this song and
album, it was around the time when he was diagnosed with cancer and he was going through a lot of
pain and issues with his mortality. Specifically, this song is a protest against discrimination. In the song,
he includes lines from a speech given by a man named Marcus Garvey. The line “emancipate yourselves
from mental slavery” refers to how mental slavery is similar to real slavery and that they need to free
themselves.
 “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Whoa! Have no fear for atomic energy
'Cause none of them-ah can-ah stop-ah the time”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv5xonFSC4c

“Killing in The Name” - Rage Against the Machine

One of my dad’s favorite bands is Rage Against the Machine. Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in
The Name'' is about police brutality and institutionalised racism. The song was recorded after the
incident of Rodney King and his two friends. The song describes how the abuse of power needs to be
reconsidered among authorities and people of power. The song
repeats many lines, like “now you do what they told ya'' and “f*ck
you, I won’t do what you tell me”. The repetition of these lines
reiterates the message of revolving against the authorities.
“Those who died are justified
For wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWXazVhlyxQ

“Oblivion” - Grimes
Claire Boucher, known as Grimes, is a Canadian singer songwriter
and producer. From the album Visions, “Oblivion” is an emotional song about Claire being violently
assaulted. The song talks about what it was like from her point of view. My dad used to be a big Grimes
fan, and I remember listening to this song around 2015. I never understood the meaning, I just liked the
catchy rhythm to it. Grimes makes a sad event into an
empowering song about herself against masculine power. She
repeatedly says “see you on a dark night”, referring to her
assaulter and coping with her trauma after the event.

I never walk about after dark

It's my point of view
'Cause someone could break your neck
Coming up behind you
 Always coming and you'd never have a clue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtH68PJIQLE
“Love It If We Made It” - The 1975
The 1975 is an English pop rock band. I have been listening to The 1975 since 2014 or 2015 and they
have been a staple of my music taste. From their album A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships,
“Love It If We Made It” is a social anthem. Matty Healy references different controversial social and
political topics, and pop culture. He talks about American black history, substance abuse, Donald Trump
and immigration just to name a few. Some of the pop culture references he uses are the death of rapper
Lil Peep, the use of ‘daddy’, and Kanye West. He brings attention to these issues to connect them to the
theme of the song, which is the line “modernity has failed us”. This song embodies American culture
and the political and social issues within it.

“Rest in peace Lil Peep

The poetry is in the streets
Jesus save us
Modernity has failed us”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wl1B7DPegc