A letter to Ann Eliza, the woman of the past…

Hello, Ann Eliza!

I heard you hold interest in wanting to learn about the different ways we communicate in the 21st century compared to how you communicate currently in the 1800s. Well, let me tell you, it’s very different. While you’re probably sitting at a wooden table in a brick home next to a fireplace that requires real wood (you know, from a real tree) to function, I’m sitting next to a battery-powered electric heater as I type up this letter on a laptop computer. While your hand is still probably aching from all the Christmas letters you’ve had to write by hand with an ink pen, my hands feel no pain as I softly tap these little buttons with letters and numbers on them. What’s so great about the way I am “writing” to you now is that I don’t have to worry about not knowing how to spell complicated words or how to turn a fragment into a complete sentence. My 21st century device does all that for me. Using the “computer” is a very common way for us, the “aliens” of the future, to communicate with one another.

“What is a computer?”, you ask. Well let me explain this the best I can. A computer is a technological device that has a keypad, much like that of a typewriter, only there is a glass screen attached to the top of the keypad, where the paper for a type writer would typical roll out. The average screen-size for a computer is about the width of a one foot ruler and the height of a ruler and a half. But it’s not so much the exterior of the computer that is different from what you’re used to in the 19th century, it’s what’s inside.

Inside the computer, there is a very complex system that allows us to type up documents for everything from a tax report to an assignment for English class. We rarely have to worry about misspelling words because just about every computer nowadays has an integrated “spell-check” feature which warns us when we spell a word that does not exist. The “spell-check” feature then suggests similar words as a way to guess our intended word. It’s right 99% of the time.

With the Computer we can also play virtual games, check the time of day, choose a picture we want displayed on the screen at all times, and much more. But what’s most impressive about the computer is that it allows us full access to the “internet”. (I know you have no idea what that is.) The internet is such a complex system that I myself barely understand it. The internet is, ultimately, in the air. It allows us to share our thoughts, our knowledge, favorite pictures, and literally everything else you could ever think of, with the entire world. Don’t ask me how it allows us to do this. It just does. The internet can be accessed not only via computers but also on little devices called “cell phones”.

A cell phone is a lot like a computer only it is much, much smaller and can literally fit into the palm of our hands or in our back pocket. With a cell phone, we are able to contact people from all over the world. There are things called “cell towers” all over the planet that send signals from phone to phone. When someone in the 21st century purchases a cell phone, usually at a store that specializes in cell-phone technology and cell payment plans, they are assigned an eleven digit “phone number”. This is basically our cell phone’s identity. The “phone number” is divided into three sections. The first three digits of the phone number are usually the same for every phone in a specific country or state. This is called the “area code”. Pretty self-explanatory. The next three digits are typically related to the city or county a person lives in and the last four digits are completely random. Every human being has a different phone number. None are exactly the same.

When we want to contact a friend, family member, company, or even a complete stranger all we have to do is type in that person’s or company’s eleven digit phone number into our device, hit the button that says “call” and we, after a couple of seconds, are able to talk openly with that person.

A couple years ago, most cell phones had tiny screens with a keypad like a computer, only much smaller. Now, the majority of our cell-phones are “touch screen” phones called “smart phones” that contain no buttons, but instead have one 4-5 inch screen that responds to the material of our fingertips. Cool, huh?

Cell phones are the most common way of communication nowadays. Computers are becoming less sought out in terms of communication. Computers are usually preferred when it comes to typing up large documents, such as this one I am typing up for you, or checking the status of a bank account because the larger screen makes the process more functional.

Since I’ve talked enough about computers and because just about every human being on the planet in the 21st century owns a “smart phone”, I’m going to go into deeper detail about the infinite array of things we can do on them. Because every “smart phone” is integrated with (expensive) internet service, we are able to do so many different things on them. Here is a list of just a couple of things our smart phones allow us to do:
-check the weather forecast
-play millions of different games on “apps” (short for “applications”)
-write notes
-record voice memos
-keep record of our diet and exercise
-listen to any song that has ever existed on the planet (which can be uploaded to our phones via our computer or a popular 21st century app called, iTunes were all music exists digitally)
-watch just about any movie or television show (you probably don’t know what those are either but I can send a separate letter explaining that)
-check stocks
-take pictures like you would a camera
-edit the photos we capture to look perfect
-check our “e-mail”
-view maps for every part of the world so we can get from one place to another without any trouble
-read books and magazines without having to buy them from a store
-mark dates on the digital calendar
-and sooooooooooooo much more but I’d be here all year if I tried explaining it all

But we have to dive deeper into the smart phone and its features to really understand the complex yet utterly simple way that we communicate with one another here in the future. As I stated above, “apps” are applications. These applications can be digitally downloaded from what is called the “app store” (it’s related to iTunes, where we get our digital music) onto our phones. The most popular communication apps of right now are called “Facebook” and “Twitter”. These apps are called “social media sites” and can be accessed just as simply on a computer (except most people prefer to use them on their phones because phones are more portable and easier to carry around everywhere). Below, I am going to briefly describe all three of these communication apps individually, starting with Facebook.

Facebook is by far the most widely-used social media site of them all. Like all social media outlets, Facebook started off as a communication service that appealed mostly to the “younger generation”. It has since become a concrete communication platform for people of all ages, from elders to pre-teens. It’s basically a requirement for any human being of this time to have their own Facebook account. When you first “sign up” for Facebook, which is completely free and very easy to do, you are encouraged to “like” certain Facebook “pages”. To “like” something on Facebook simply means that you find interest or meaning in a certain company that is on Facebook, go to their page (or account) and acknowledge that you like the company by clicking the “Like button” on their page. You can only like pages on Facebook that are dedicated to commercial companies. Things are much different when it comes to acknowledging your approval for an individual person on Facebook.

Say you have a very good friend who you know has a Facebook account. You want an easy way to communicate with this friend and would also like to know more about them (i.e. his/her interests, favorite music, favorite foods, family members and mutual friends). All you have to do is click the button on their account page that says “Send Friend Request”. What this does is it sends a “notification” which is basically a tiny alert to the friend’s cell phone that says you would like to be their “Facebook friend”. Your friend then goes to their Facebook app and either clicks the “Accept” or “Decline” option that comes integrated with the notification and just like that you have immediate access to just about everything your friend is sharing about their life on the internet.

When you create your Facebook account you can type up something called a “status”. It’s very simply. You simply use your little keyboard (the one on your phone or computer) to share any thoughts, opinions, or knowledge you may have. You could recommend that your Facebook friends go visit a certain shop or restaurant or you could tell them how you are feeling. It can be completely irrelevant to every other human being on the entire planet. You can still share it. If anybody finds your status interesting, they can “like” it by clicking the “Like button”. It usually makes a person very happy when somebody likes their status because it makes them feel important. Honestly, I’m beginning to realize how ridiculous this is because our importance seems to be defined by a little click on a keyboard.

A person can also leave a typed-up comment on a Facebook status. Maybe your Facebook friend posts a status of their favorite Christmas sticky-bun recipe. You really find this status intriguing but you’re unclear about whether you should add a pinch of salt to the caramel batter before or after you stir in the rest of the ingredients. Well, you can clear up the confusion with the simple post of a comment.

Facebook is one of the best ways in the modern world to promote a product or business (or yourself if you’re that self-obsessed. Ugh). Just about everybody nowadays goes to Facebook to like the page of a company they find interest in. This way, any time the company posts a status about a deal they are having on their product or anytime they release a new product the status will appear on their Facebook “timeline” (which is the main page of your Facebook account where you can see everything that everybody you are friends with posts). It keeps a company very connected with their target audience. Also, just about everybody on Facebook holds no shame in sharing their opinion on almost everything so it’s great place to go for advice or customer reviews on a product or company.

Now, say you have a Facebook account and your “text message” (this is the sending back and forth of digital text on your cell phone, much like writing a letter only much faster) isn’t working on your phone. With Facebook, you can contact a person individually and in private so that nobody else can see your conversation by using the “Messenger” feature of the site. However, it is very important that all of us here in the 21st century remember that anything and everything that we post on the internet, in private or wit the general public, can be tracked down by the government. This is how the government regulates any vicious behavior over the internet or any harmful threats made. You’d be surprised how many crimes are committed within this massive virtual world of ours.

Next, I’m going to talk about Twitter. Twitter is like Facebook in that it allows us to communicate with one another, only the demographic of people who use this social media site is much more specific. This is mostly due to the fact that Twitter is relatively newer than Facebook, so older people have yet to embrace it (but they will soon, trust me). Another way that Twitter differentiates from Facebook is that when you want to share your thoughts with the world, they are called “tweets” rather than “posts” or “statuses”. A tweet is limited to 140 characters, which makes Twitter a bit more challenging when it comes to sharing our thoughts. However, this is what makes it so fun. It’s a great way of teaching us dim-witted, short-minded people of the future to choose our words wisely and to paraphrase.

Signing up and creating a Twitter account is just as simple as it is with Facebook so there’s no sense in explaining the process of it. Once you do create an account however, things become more overwhelming. Like on Facebook, you are encouraged to acknowledge the different companies or people who are involved with Twitter who you approve of. To do this, you go to their main page and hit the “Follow” button. The button then turns from white to blue and you suddenly you get to read everything they post without having to visit their page to do so.

On Twitter, there is a section called “Trending Topics”. This section shows you the most tweeted words or hashtags (I’ll #get #to #that #in #a #minute) of that very second. Usually, when something major happens in the world like say a natural disaster or when Miley Cyrus (you don’t know who that is but you will one day) confirms the type of lipstick she uses, words pertaining to that current event will be one of the Top Trends on the Trending Topics section. You can check the “Trending Topics” of any city, country, or the entire world. This is a great way of staying up-to-date on what is influencing the world at a specific point in time. Staying current is very important in the 21st century. Here in the future, being disconnected and uninformed is never a very good thing nor is it very exciting.

Now, hashtags. Yes. I mentioned it a couple sentences ago. Hashtags are very prominent in the Twitter world. If you didn’t already know, a hashtag is this little thing: #. On Twitter, people will put that little hashtag symbol before a specific word and suddenly it seems more important because it turns blue. When a word is turned into a “hashtag” in a tweet, if somebody sees your tweet and notices the hashtag, they can click on that word and it will take them to a page that shows all the other people tweeting that same word. You’d think it’s not very important, but it actually is. Say there was a tornado somewhere near your town and you didn’t hear anything about it, then you see somebody write about how terrified they are of “#tornadoes”. Since there is a hashtag in front of the word Tornado, you’ll be able to click on the word and it will take you to see what other people are saying about the word. You are taken to the specific word and suddenly you see a tweet that says “There was a huge natural disaster here in New York. #tornado #theysuck”. Now you know something very important that you didn’t know just two seconds ago.

The most important aspect of Twitter as a communication system is that anything you tweet can be seen by millions of other people (if it is so deserving) because of the options that are given to the world when you post a tweet. Any time you post a tweet on Twitter, beneath your tweet are three little buttons. The first button is the “reply button”. Somebody can click on this button and respond to what you said. This allows for open communication. Thankfully, nobody but those who “follow” both you and the person you are replying to can see your conversation. The next button is the “favorite button”. If you see a tweet on your Twitter timeline that you find interesting and want to be able to find easily later on, all you have to do is click this little star-shaped button and it will save the tweet to your “favorites” tab on your Twitter account. This way, you can check back on all the tweets you “favorited”.
But it’s the “retweet” button beneath your Tweet that introduces the greatest possibilities. When somebody “retweets” your tweet, the tweet will appear on the timelines of every person that follows them. This allows your tweet to spread all over the site. What a great way to find different connections with people that you never expected you would know. If people see a retweet of your tweet on their timeline and find it interesting, they might follow your account which ultimately means you gain a great following on the internet.

Twitter is one of the most current ways to analyze the opinions of the general public. During political debates between different politicians on TV, people often take to Twitter to share their opinions about it. Professionals can then analyze what is being said about both candidates by the majority of the people on Twitter. Like Facebook, Twitter is a great way to promote a business or product because it doesn’t matter how many people in the world are following you, anything you say still has the potential to be spread across the entire world. This is why so many popular icons of this modern world are involved with Twitter. It allows for the popularity of anything or anybody to expand universally.

Of course, like all things, our form of communication here in the 21st century has its faults. The biggest problem with 21st century communication is that it tends to drive us away from face-to-face communication which is psychologically concerning. As human beings, physical human interaction is an essential part of growing and staying alive. Often times, we get too comfortable with communicating behind a glass screen that we forget to sustain actual relationships with people in person. This hasn’t quite yet created a population of introverts and people who don’t know how to communicate face-to-face, mostly because we all still have jobs and must go to school which forces us to stay in touch with the physical side of one another.

Another problem with 21st century communication is that it gives us way too much time to think things through before we do or say them. Certainly this presents a lot of advantages, but you’d be surprised just how fabricated things have become because of it.

Nowadays, you can never be too sure that the person you are communicating with (over the internet) is who they say they are. Because of sites like Facebook and Twitter, we are able to communicate with people we’ve never even met without having to do any background checks. It’s unsafe and unnatural to say the least. Of course, times change and the world progresses so things will not always be like they are for you in the 19th century, but it’s still important that we keep in touch with the old-fashioned way of communicating.

If somebody posts a picture of his or herself on Facebook, Twitter, or anywhere else on this “world in the clouds”, they can edit it. They can make their skin a different color, change their hair, their eye color; all by the click of a button. This is how we behave nowadays. It seems like everybody is trying to be the perfect, stereotypical version of a human. Everything seems like a competition now, even in places it shouldn’t be. It makes sense that businesses and companies that are trying to make money would fight for superiority on the Internet, but it shouldn’t happen amongst human beings like it does nowadays.

Now, people can say and do anything without immediate consequence because we are all hiding behind a screen. This makes us think we are invincible and allows us to say things we would never say if we had to say them face-to-face.

Confrontation doesn’t exist like it used to, at least not as often. You’d think that because the majority of our conversations and relationships exist in a secular world where we are given as much time as needed to think up a phrase or response that it would encourage us to be wiser with our words. Instead, we have become more quick to respond and don’t use our brains like we should because we’re allowed to say things without being confronted immediately.

It doesn’t matter what era you live in, the world will always have its pros and cons. Communication here in the 21st century is drastically different in comparison to the era you’re living in, Ann, but both worlds are just as complicated as they are simple.

As long as communication is something that exists between human beings, it will always be important and it will always function properly regardless of its form. Likewise, anytime something involves humans, emotions and bad decisions will persist. So, if I had to advise you on whether or not you’d be better off living here in the future or where you are now, I don’t think I could tell you.

Humans are adaptable creatures which is why, regardless of what century we are living in, we find ways to make it work for us and we survive and thrive like we always have. Be happy with your 19th century life because it’s not worse nor is it better than the life I’m living here in the 21st century. The world changes because humans change and as long as our communication changes with us, we are in no trouble.

I hope you are thankful for the life you are living right now and I look forward to your response!

Happy holidays!

– Robbie S. Baker

“Lights On” , FKA twigs – Lyrical Analysis”

LISTEN:

For artist info and “misconception”, see “Pendulum, FKA Twigs- Lyrical Analysis”.

I shy away in my mind,
In hopes in that I could share this place with you.

Twigs is a bit unsure about whether or not she should make love to this man. She isn’t falling into him completely because she is not sure if she can trust him. However, she does hope that eventually she can make love to him.

You’ll be the first one to find,
The shadows that make the girl you undo.

Twigs is telling her lover that if she does choose to make love to him that he will be her first. She will open up to him and take him to “places” that she’s never taken anyone else to. By “shadows”, Twigs is referring to the secrets she keeps from everyone.

Cause the man that you are is defined,
By the way that you act in the light.

Twigs is saying that a man’s character is often based off how he acts when he can be seen, particularly in bed. However, she believes that what is most important is how a man acts when the lights are out and when nobody is watching. Is he still someone she can trust? It can be risky to give yourself to someone else in darkness, where it may be hard to defend yourself if needed. These are things twigs worries about.

Break or seize me.

Twigs is telling her lover that he will either take her “broken”, which means he will accept her for all the secrets she hides within, or he will leave her.

If the flame gets blown out in the shine,
I will know that you can not be mine.

If twigs and her lover lose intimacy while making love with the lights on, she will know that he can not be trusted and will have to leave him.

Live or leave me.

Twigs is giving her lover two options. Either he lives with (not just beside) her and all her insecurities or he needs to leave because she’s too much for him to handle.

[Chorus] (x2)
When I trust you we can do it with the lights on
When I trust you we can do it with the lights on.

The chorus is pretty self-explanatory. Twigs is saying that once her lover has proven he can be trusted, she will give herself to him. People typically don’t make love in the dark unless it’s with someone they feel very comfortable with.

When I trust you we’ll make love until the morning,
Let me tell you all my secrets in a whisper ‘til the day’s done.

Twigs promises that once he proves trustworthy, she will satisfy his every desire all night long. She is enticing him, here. However, as we can tell by the second line in this phrase, twigs is not just talking about sharing her body with this man. If this man is someone twigs can trust, she will also share all her darkest secrets with him. She will open up to him like every true lover.

Break or seize me.
Let the things that I tell you survive,
In the way that you handle your size
Live or leave me.

Twigs is making it very clear that she needs a man who she knows she can tell her secrets to. Clearly, she has a lot she needs to get off her chest and often when a person can share their secrets with someone, they feel more mentally stable. Twigs wants her man to still love her when she tells him her secrets and hopes that he is can handle her for all her flaws much like he can handle his “big size”. This line is obviously sexual. Apparently, twigs lover is well endowed and he knows how to use his gifts to bring her pleasure without hurting her. She wants him to have that same self-control and versatility when she shows him her darkest side.

[Chorus] (x4)

Conclusion: Twigs is telling us that it is important to confirm someone’s trust before you open yourself up to them. Twigs explained in an interview with The Gaudrian that this song isn’t directly about sex but that she uses sex as a metaphor. Twigs wants to be sure that a person can handle everything about her, including her dark personality and fierce attitude before she can call them a friend.

“Take Me To Church”, Hozier – Lyrical Analysis

LISTEN: (This version is live)

Artist: Hozier is a fresh Irish singer-songwriter. His single “Take Me To Church” is one of the best-selling songs of the year and his self-titled album is critically acclaimed.

Misconception: Hozier is a very respected artist and has proven that there are plenty of important things to sing about. Unfortunately, many people may not realize this as his lyrics are very cryptic. I’m ready to suggest the lyrics to his song “Take Me To Church” so everyone can understand the important message behind it.

My lover’s got humour
She’s the giggle at a funeral.

In the first line, Hozier immediately introduces his lover as being unorthodox. “Giggling at a funeral”, given the generally serious and dreary atmosphere of someone’s death, is considered wrong. This tells us that Hozier doesn’t necessarily believe that untraditional love is wrong.

Knows everybody’s disapproval.

Hozier (and his lover) know that people don’t approve of their love. They don’t seem to care what others think. Love is love. It’s no one else’s business.

I should’ve worshipped her sooner.
If the Heavens ever did speak,
She’s the last true mouthpiece.

Here is where Hozier explicitly introduces the dual themes that run throughout the song, a rejection of organized religion and a song of praise to his lover. Hozier is saying that if God ever truly did speak to his people (most likely his disciples who wrote The Bible) , that his lover is the only true thing left. He sees so much beauty in her that he compares who to Biblical themes.
This line also tells us that Hozier’s lover may be a little unorthodox, but as a result she is loving and accepting of everyone. Love and acceptance is a common theme in the Bible. Unfortunately, many Christians steer away from this and are filled with prejudice. Hozier’s lover isn’t your typical hypocritical Christian and he appreciates this.

Every Sunday’s getting more bleak
A fresh poison each week
“We were born sick”, you heard them say it.
Christians view Sundays as holy. However, Hozier is getting sick of the way he sees so many ministers preach about hatred and prejudice, two things that are greatly condemned in the Bible. This confronts he church for its hypocrisy. Telling from the music video, this line is most likely a jab at Russia’s anti-LGBT views. Many Christians used to believe that homosexuality was a “sickness” that could be cured by religion.

My church offers no absolutes.

The Christian church offers “absolution”, freedom of sins. Hozier’s lover is his “church” and she isn’t like that. She admits that she is flawed and doesn’t promise things that she can’t truly give.

She tells me “worship in the bedroom”.

Once again, we are shown how unorthodox Hozier’s lover truly is. The Bible tells us to have “no other gods before God” and to pray alone in the bedroom.

The only heaven I’ll be sent to
Is when I’m alone with you.
I was born sick, but I love it.

Hozier further rejects the orthodox ways of the Christian church. The only heaven he cares about is the “heaven” he is brought to when he is with his lover. Like many Christians may tell him, he was “born sick”. He mocks their condemnation by proclaiming his love for his “sick” mind. Because he views his mind as being smart and full of love. He believes that the truly “sick-minded” are those who condemn others and preach through hate and then turn around and profess their obedience to God. The hypocrisy of it all brings him humor.

Command me to be well.

Giving his lover the power of their relationship, Hozier confesses his sins. The only redemption he wants is from his lover because that’s all that is true to him.

Amen, Amen, Amen
This line further emphasizes the biblical theme of the song. Amen means “I believe”. Hozier believes in the love of his woman.

[Chorus] (x2)
Take me to church.

In this line, Hozier could be referring to being in bed with his lover as “church”. You worship when you go to church. When Hozier is with his lover, he worships her by devoting all his love to her. This line could also be referring to the Catholic Church in Russia and their strong LGBT views. This follows the theme of the music video.

I’ll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies.

Dogs are happy and innocent creatures, but they are naive. They love and are loyal to their masters even when that same master horribly mistreats them and manipulates them. This is a jab at the church for the hatred they preach about different human beings. “Shrine of your lies” calls out the church for being hypocritical and dishonest. Keep in mind, Hozier is singing not about God but the way his supposed “believers” twist His words with cruelty and make them dishonest.

I’ll tell you my sins so you can sharpen your knife.

Hozier believes that the church fuels off of the confession of sins from others. Taking the theme of the video, back in medieval times, confessing homosexuality was punishable by death. The line “sharpen your knife” refers to the man-slaughter, literal or figurative, that is put upon humans who confess their sins. They are condemned and frowned upon, rather than loved and forgiven like God most likely would want.

Offer me my deathless death.
Good God, let me give you my life.

Hozier is sarcastically “giving his life” to the church. In biblical terms, “deathless death” refers to the death of sins. It’s not literally death. It is instead rebirth.

If I’m a pagan of the good times,
My lover’s the sunlight.

A “pagan” is someone who holds religious beliefs outside of the main world religions. Technically, Hozier’s religion is his lover. Many pagans worship the sun. Hozier is comparing his lover to the sun that pagans worship, because he worships his sun and she is the main item of his entire religion.

To keep the Goddess on my side,
She demands a sacrifice.

To keep his lover with him, she demands a sacrifice. In ancient times, people would sacrifice animals to keep the Gods happy. He is sacrificing secular, materialistic things such as money for his lover and is putting her first. She wants to be #1 in his life.

Drain the whole sea,
Get something shiny.

Hozier is saying he would do anything to please his lover. He would even drain the whole sea and find her beautiful buried treasure just to satisfy her.

Something meaty for the main course
That’s a fine looking high horse
What you got in the stable?

He is referring to religious people being on the “high horse”. They are smug and proud. When he says “what you got in the stable”, he is exposing the majority of religious people who act above other people but at truly hiding sins and disobedience in their souls.
Often, religious people become very judgmental because they’ve been told right from wrong. Ironically, a lot of them ignore the wrong they do. Hozier is hinting that, regardless of what you believe, everybody has their flaws.

We’ve a lot of starving faithful.

Here, Hozier is saying that there are a lot of people like him who want to believe in God but refuse to because of the people who worship him with such hypocrisy.

That looks tasty
That looks plenty
This is hungry work.

Hozier is referring to the “high horse” referenced in the previous line as looking tasty. He believes that if they sacrificed their metaphorical “high horse” and ate it, meaning they got rid of it, they would thrive far more than they do by acting above every one.

[Chorus] (x2)

[Bridge]
No masters or kings when the ritual begins.

The “ritual” Hozier is referring to is that of sex. When he makes love to his woman, there is no separation in power. They are both equally in control.

There is no sweeter innocence than our gentle sin.
In the madness and soil of that sad earthly scene.

Despite what Christians may think of their love, Hozier knows it is harmless and innocent. Hozier believes that it is nobody’s place to judge him or anyone else for who they love because it isn’t harmful.

Only then I am human.
Only then I am clean.

Hozier’s unorthodox tendencies are what makes him human and when he makes love to his woman, that is when he is cleansed.

[Pre-Chorus]
Amen, Amen, Amen

[Chorus] (x2)

Conclusion: This song is very politically driven, but it’s message is universal. Hozier believes that there should be no judgment. He feels that just because you believe in a certain God or religion does not give you the authority to condemn other people. Hozier had no problem exposing hypocritical Christians in this song. Christians are called upon to love all and to spread “the word of The Lord” through love. So many fail to do so and Hozier finds this wrong.

“Scheiße”, Lady Gaga – Lyrical Analysis

LISTEN:

Artist: Lady Gaga is one of the most renowned pop stars of the generation. She has had 4 #1 singles in America, has sold millions of albums worldwide, and has become a fashion icon across the globe. Not much more needs to be said, we’ve all heard of Gaga before.

Misconception: Given she is one of the most popular artists of our time, Gaga is often considered a “gimmick”. As a result, people don’t take her art seriously. Many people assume her lyrics are nonsense and lack any meaning. This is completely erroneous. Gaga’s song “Scheiße” is just one example of how she uses her power and influence as a way to speak out about modern-day problems.

Song: “Scheiße”

I don’t speak German, But I can if you’d like. Oh!
Ich schleiban austa be clair
Es kumpent madre monstere,
Aus-be aus-can-be flaugen,
Begun be uske but-bair
Ich schleiban austa be clair,
Es kumpent üske monstère,
Aus-be aus-can-be flaugen,
Fräulein uske-be clair

Lady Gaga starts the song off by telling her man that even though she does not know how to do something, in this case speak German, she will still do so anyways because he asked her too. This is a direct jab at modern-day society’s sexist tendencies. Women are often expected to do everything in an effort to please their man, rather than doing what they want for themselves. The “German” Gaga is speaking is complete gibberish, which is her way of showing that she is intelligent enough to fool her man.

I’ll take you out tonight,
Do whatever you like.

This line is an alternate example of how women (and men) feel obligated to follow the expectations of society. Gaga is willing to do whatever her man asks her to do because, as a woman in society, it is her “duty” to serve her man and quench his desires.

Scheiße-scheiße be mine,
Scheiße be mine (Scheiße be mine)

“Scheiße” is the German word for “sh*t”. Gaga is admitting that everything she is doing and saying for this man is bullsh*t. She knows what she wants in life and it does not involve tending to this man’ every need. Unfortunately, because it is what society expects of her, she is doing it anyways. She’s also calling out society’s gender roles for being B.S.

Put on a show tonight,
Do whatever you like.
Scheiße-scheiße be mine,
Scheiße be mine (Scheiße be mine)

Gaga feels it is her role as a woman to “put on a show” for her man, to entice him. She once again is saying this is completely wrong.

When I’m on a mission
I rebuke my condition.

Despite what society expects of her, Gaga is not afraid to break down the common stereotype of a woman when she wants something.

If you’re a strong female,
You don’t need permission.

Here, Gaga is empowering all women. If women are strong and aware of the power they have within them, they don’t need permission from their man or society to accomplish things. Just because society expects them to act a certain way does not mean they can’t speak, think, and live for themselves.

[Chorus:]
I, I wish that I could dance on a single prayer.

Gaga prays that one day it won’t be uncommon for women to assert themselves and still be respected when they do so. She wishes that one prayer was enough for society to change its general view on women and allow her to be liberated without being condemned.
I, I wish I could be strong without somebody there.

I, I wish that I could dance on a single prayer.
I, I wish I could be strong without scheiße, yeah.

Gaga wishes that she could be a liberated, out-spoken woman without all the nonsense that comes with it, such as being deemed by society as “bitchy” or “bullheaded”.

Oh oh oh oh oh.
Without the scheiße, yeah.
I don’t speak German but I wish I could.

Gaga believes that maybe if she actually could speak another language, she’d be more respected by society because she would look more intelligent. Gaga just wants to be taken seriously. It’s unfair that women sometimes feel they have to fight to be recognized.

Ich schleiban austa be clair
Es kumpent madre monstere,
Aus-be aus-can-be flaugen,
Begun be uske but-bair

Love is objectified by what men say is right
Scheiße-scheiße be mine,
Bullshit be mine (Bullshit be mine)

In this line, Gaga is saying that love and sexual ideals are determined by men. This is also a nod at gay rights. Who people are allowed to love has been chosen by society and it’s not right.

Blonde high-heeled feminist enlisting femmes for this
Express your woman-kind
Fight for your right (Fight for your right).

Gaga is calling for women to fight against being objectified and says that they should be campaigning for their right to do as they please. Gaga uses the common stereotype of a “blonde, high-heeled” woman in this line as a way to mock society’s view on women.

When I’m on a mission
I rebuke my condition.
If you’re a strong female,
You don’t need permission.

Gaga is determined to say and do what she wants because she has that right as a human being. She is inviting other women to do the same.

[Bridge:]
I, I, I, I, I, I
I, I, I, I, I, I don’t speak German
I, I, I, I, I, I, but I can if you like

Here, it sounds like Gaga is stuttering. This is an example of how women may often feel ashamed or afraid to speak their mind and fight for their rights, because society labels them for it.

I, I wish that I could dance on a single prayer.
I, I wish I could be strong without a mission, yeah!
I, I wish that I could dance on a single prayer.
I, I wish I could be strong verdammte scheiße, yeah.

Oh oh oh oh oh.
Verdammte scheiße, yeah.
Oh oh oh oh oh.
Verdammte scheiße, yeah.
Oh oh oh oh oh.
Verdammte scheiße, yeah.
Oh oh oh oh oh.
Verdammte scheiße, yeah.

Ich schleiban austa be clair,
Es kumpent üske monstère,
Aus-be aus-can-be flaugen,
Fräulein uske-be clair (uske-be clair)

At the end of the song, Gaga is still speaking gibberish as a way to show us that, just like women, men can be manipulated and fooled and it’s unfair.

Conclusion: Ultimately, what Gaga is saying is that she will not conform to the rules put on women by society. Gaga has proven that she can succeed and achieve great things without the support of a man. Society must stop telling both men and women what is right for them to do and what is wrong based on their gender. We are all human and are all capable of asserting ourselves.

“Octahate”, Ryn Weaver – Lyrical Analysis

LISTEN: https://m.soundcloud.com/rynweaver/ryn-weaver-octahate

Artist: Ryn Weaver is an up-and-coming American pop star. Her song “Octahate” was uploaded to her Soundcloud account a couple months ago and immediately racked up well over a million plays. As a result, many critics are predicting that the song and she herself will blow up in 2015. I am completely convinced of it as well.

Misconception: Honestly, Ryn Weaver is too new to the music scene to have had a general misconception made of her… as of now. But surely, her lyrics hold deep meaning.

Song: “Octahate”

Watch it. Watch it. Watch it.

The song starts off with a bubbly instrumental and Ryn speaking the words “watch it”. Here, she is telling the man who broke her heart to stay away from her. Last time she let him close, he broke her heart.

Lost in the cracks
Of the landslide.

Love came and hit Ryn out of nowhere. She didn’t see it coming and was most likely opposed to the idea of ever falling for a man. As a result, Ryn was awkward and disoriented at the beginning of her love relationship. This line suggests her inexperience with love. It’s safe to say, this song is a description of Ryn’s first serious relationship.

You saw me slipping on
My blind side.

She knows that it was evident to her lover that she was caught off guard. Often, when people first “fall in love”, it’s not very promising. Typically, when one meets another who treats them differently (maybe pampers them or makes them feel special) than others have, they waste no time and immediately dive into a love life with that person because they are excited. To summarize, this line tells us that Ryn didn’t know how to react to the temptation of this man’s love, so she just let it happen.

I’m feeling lost
Feeling tongue-tied.

This line continues to explain how love-struck Ryn was by this guy. She wasn’t thinking straight and lost control of herself.

And now I’m frozen
In your headlights.

Ryn is now talking about the current state of her relationship with this man. She allowed herself to fall for him without even evaluating whether or not it was a good idea. So, now Ryn has no idea how to escape him. Perhaps she thinks it would look bad if she suddenly showed a loss of interest in this guy after being all “head-over-heels” for him.

Deep in the haze
Of your love high.

Ryn is too far into this relationship now to simply escape it without causing drama.

I used to soar on
The live wire.

Ryn used to be happy with herself before this relationship. She was alive and independent. This line could also be describing how, at the beginning of the relationship, Ryn was “high in love”. Now, the honeymoon phase is over and reality hits her! This relationship is a joke.

I’m coming down
From your supply.
And I don’t know
If you can make right

By “supply”, Ryn is referring to the supply of love that her lover gave her to make her “high” for him and become thoughtless enough to fall in love. Ryn doubts that there is anything her man could say or do to make her stay.

[Chorus]
I can’t take it.
From the day I saw
My heart start breaking
No one saved me.

Notice that as the chorus hits, the beat of the song changes completely. Suddenly, Ryn’s vocals sound panicky and frustrated. This is a great sonic depiction of how eager she is to escape this relationship.
In this line, Ryn tells us that nobody warned her how troubling this relationship would be. Often when somebody falls in love, a friend or family member will object their relationship and try to steer them out of it if they sense it isn’t any good. Ryn is confused as to why nobody, herself included, could see from the beginning that falling in love with this man was not a good decision.

I can’t take it
Can’t believe I went and
Lost you baby
Earth keeps shaking, all around.
Oh you let me down.

Ryn can’t believe that a relationship that seemed so perfect in its first chapter could turn out to be so horrible. The “earth keeps shaking” line is depicted sonically by the hard foot-stomping instrumental.

And I can’t take it
From the day I saw
My heart start breaking
No one saved me.

Ryn is trying to figure out why, when her relationship took a turn for the worst, nobody had the decency to help her out of it.

[Verse 2]
Shot through the cracks
Of the earthquake
My body’s moving
Into retrograde.

Now, Ryn has finally escaped the relationship. Still, she is confused and upset by the whole ordeal.

I’m feeling loose
Feeling untamed.

For the first time in forever, Ryn feels like she has control over self. Her “shackles” are gone and she can move freely. However, her relationship has left her furious and she is incapable of controlling herself when it comes to wanting to repay her ex for all the trouble he caused her.

And you’re the dynamite
In my chains.

Ryn’s ex-lover is the reason and the motivation behind her anger.

Deep in the trench
Of the crossfire.
You shot me down
From the live wire.

When Ryn’s ex-lover began acting so out of character, she became aware of how delusional she was. Her man was a bad man and as a result she fell from his grip.

Tossed to the loss
In your love game.

Ryn’s ex-lover treated their love like a “game”. It was all just a joke to him and she lost because she couldn’t make it work.

You beat me cheek-to-cheek
And now I can’t play.

This man hurt Ryn to such a great extent that she can no longer be in love with him and his “love game”, or anyone else’s for that matter. What a horrible first-love experience.

[Chorus Repeat]

[Bridge]
Hit the ground
Running up from you.

Once Ryn finally “fell” from her ex-lover’s “love high”, she immediately took off. She didn’t second guess leaving him once she saw what a bad man he was. She ran and didn’t look back.

Baby you know I don’t want to
No I want you.

Ryn is telling her ex-lover that she didn’t want to leave him. She would’ve loved for their relationship to work out but he left her no choice. She had to do what was best for her.

But there’s nothing
Left to say.

Ryn doesn’t feel like she should have to further explain herself. The man’s bad behavior was very evident.

Lost in the riddle you gave me.

Ryn’s ex-lover must’ve said something very poetic and convincing to her that made her fall for him. This is usually how relationships start.

Caught in the middle.
You played me;
See so plainly.

It is so clear to Ryn, now that she’s left her man, that he was nothing he seemed to be. She can’t believe that she was so consumed with love that she couldn’t even see what was right in front of her.

But there’s nothing left to say…
I should’ve known
I should’ve known.

Ryn realizes that she should’ve known from the beginning that her lover was a bad man. It seems so obvious to her now.

[Chorus]

[Outro]
Watch it

Ryn is saying “watch it” as a way of warning her ex-lover to watch his back. She plans on getting revenge on him one way or another and he better be prepared.

Conclusion: Ultimately, what this song tells us is that love can be deceiving. Never be so love-struck that you can’t think for yourself and look beyond the first pretty words a person says to you. Don’t allow yourself to be so devoted to one person that you become delusional to who they truly are.

“Sex Yeah”, Marina and the Diamonds – Lyrical Analysis

LISTEN:

Artist: Marina Diamandis, better known as Marina and the Diamonds (the diamonds being her fan) is a British alt-pop singer/ songwriter. Marina released her debut album, “The Family Jewels” in 2010 to rave reviews from critics. In 2012, playing the character of a satirical 60’s home-wrecking housewife, Marina released her sophomore album “Electra Heart”, an album that rightfully mocked American pop culture and the stereotypes of the average American archetypal woman. The album spawned that American hit “Primadonna” and was Marina’s first Top 40 album in the United States.

Misconception: At first listen, you’d think Marina and the Diamonds is your average pop star. Her catchy hooks and slick production would lead most people to think she pays no attention to lyrical content. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Marina has tackled several modern day issues and stereotypes in her songs, mocking the public’s obsession with pop culture and the role women are forced to play in society. Ultimately, Marina is a lyrical genius. Her song “Sex Yeah” is the perfect example of genius.

Song: “Sex Yeah”

Sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex
Yeah
Sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex
(La la la)

The song immediately begins by mocking modern day pop culture. Just about every song you hear on pop radio is about sex. Marina repeats the word “sex” as a way to lead the listener into thinking it’s another overly-sexualized, shallow pop song. However, this first line is pure satire and takes a direct jab at the shallow tendencies of today’s music.

Nothing is provocative anymore
Even for kids.

Nowadays, kids see everything. With the ability to search for any picture, video, or website via the internet, it’s almost impossible to monitor the things children see. This being said, nothing seems to phase anyone anymore. Watching people have sex on television, for instance, is not as big a deal now as it would’ve been 50 years ago.

No room for imagining
‘Cause everyone’s seen everything.

The overly-sexualized character of modern day pop culture leaves little to the imagination. Few pop stars can put on a performance without stripping down to their underwear.

“Question what the TV tells you
Question what a pop star sells you.”

In this line, Marina is taking the role of the paranoid parent. She is telling us to always question right from wrong. Just because a popular icon says or does something, does not necessarily make it right. Marina is telling us to think for ourselves. Pop culture is powerful and it is often used as a way to manipulate and brainwash people’s minds.

Question mom and question dad
Question good and question bad.

By telling us to “question” our own parents, Marina is proving that she is not being biased towards pop culture by saying it is the only thing that can be manipulative. Even our own parents may try to enforce certain values or beliefs on us that aren’t right. It is a parent’s job to steer their children in the “right direction”, but Marina is telling us that we still need to analyze things on our own and make our own decisions about right and wrong.

(Chorus):
If history could set you free (from who you were supposed to be).
If sex in our society (didn’t tell a girl who she would be).

In the first variation of the song’s chorus, Marina explains that it’s because of society’s past that women feel the need to “express themselves” by being provocative. Marina is saying that if society treated women with the same importance as men, that they wouldn’t have to go to such extremes to be noticed.

‘Cause all my life I’ve tried to fight what history has given me.

All her life, Marina has tried to fight the stigma given to her for being a woman. She doesn’t agree with the role women are told to play in society.

Sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex
Yeah
Sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex
(La la la)

If women were religiously
Recognized sexually
We wouldn’t have to feel the need to show our ass (-ets),
To feel free.

As I mentioned above, Marina believes that women are not respected as much as they should be when it comes to their role in a sexual relationship. In this line, Marina is saying that if women were always considered equal to men (on or off the bed), they wouldn’t have to rebel by stripping butt naked. Here, Marina delivers a clever use of words. She separates the word “assets” into two separate parts, “ass” and “ets” so that it sounds like she is saying “Show our ass, it’s to feel free.” Both variations mean the same thing.

Been there, done that
Got the t-shirt.

This line could potentially refer to how actively Marina supports women’s rights. When someone buys “the t-shirt” for a certain cause, they usually strongly support it.

Sold my soul
And yeah the truth hurts.

Here, Marina taunts those who believe in “The Illuminati” and have said Marina is part of it. This line also expresses how strongly Marina supports the rights of women. She is so devoted to getting her rights that she “sold her soul” to the cause. She’s devoted every last bit of herself to become a liberated woman.

Tired image of a star,
Acting naughtier than we really are.

Pop stars often “act naughty” as a way to sell their product, whether that be a record or a movie. Here, Marina lumps herself in with the crowd of “stars”, confessing that she is not free of guilt. This is another example of how women feel the need to act out as a way to be recognized because society does not treat them the way we should.

If history could set you free (from who you were supposed to be)
If sex in our society (didn’t tell a guy who he should be).

In the second variation of the chorus, Marina tells us that men are often told what role they should play (much like women) in society. Men in society are told that they should provide for women and that, in return, they rule over women. Marina says that this is wrong and that, just like women, men should think for themselves.

‘Cause all my life I’ve tried to fight what history has given me.

Sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex
Yeah
Sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex
(La la la)

All my life I’ve felt it deep inside of me
All this time was fighting for what I believe
All my life I’ve tried to hide what history has given me.

Marina, as she says in the chorus, has always felt like she was treated inferior to men. She never considered this right or natural. Marina firmly believes that just because she is a woman does not mean she is less important or capable of accomplishment than men are.

(Chorus 1 & 2 repeat)

Conclusion: Marina believes that if people were not so heavily influenced by pop culture and the way the history of pop culture depicts the role of genders, that women and men would be treated equally, both in the work force and in sex. Don’t allow others to think for you. Think for yourself. If Marina hadn’t steered away from the common mindset of society, she never would’ve understood how important a person she is.

“Born To Die (Music Video)”, Lana Del Rey – Video Analysis

WATCH:

Artist: See – LISTEN: Artist: Lana Del Rey is an American alternative singer-songwriter. She is best known for her cinematic sound, distinguishable voice, and her American patriotism. Lana has sold several million albums and singles world wide and is undeniably the most captivating and successful female indie artists of the past decade. Her latest full-length, “Ultraviolence” debuted at […]

“Black Beauty”, Lana Del Rey – Lyrical Analysis

https://robbiebaker.wordpress.com/2014/11/21/black-beauty-lana-del-rey-lyrical-analysis/

Music Video: “Born To Die”

SCENE 1:

We first see Lana clutching onto a man (her lover) in front of an American flag. Both are shirtless. This resembles how comfortable the two are with on another. They are completely open with one another and hide nothing. This could also stand for the vulnerability that both people have acquired since they fell in love.

At 0:17, the camera slowly pans over the beautiful marble ceilings of a church. We see Lana sitting alone in a throne at the alter. This tells us that Lana is in heaven. She has died and left the earth. Many Christians believe that if we die and go to heaven, we will be gifted our own mansion. On both sides of her, sit poised tigers. The tigers are guarding Lana in order to keep her safe. This tells us that she left earth tragically and that she doesn’t want anything or anyone else hurting her. Lana is draped in white, which resembles purity.

At 0:38, Lana seems to be recalling a memory as she sings the words “My heart breaks every step that I take. But I’m hoping at them gates, they’ll tell me that you’re mine.” She has been hurt by someone, but she still loves that person and wants to be with them.

At 0:45, Lana looks down as she thinks about her time spent on earth, particularly the time spent with one particular man.
We’re taking to a flashback of Lana’s past. Lana and her lover look as if they are seeing each other for the first time in awhile. Lana must’ve been away somewhere and her lover was waiting for her return.

Lana and her lover begin to make love inside the man’s car. They look happy to be with one another again.

However, at 1:14 we see the man pull away from Lana to light a cigarette. Lana looks at him with disappointment. It’s safe to say that these two have had a rough past. Lana’s lover struggled with addiction and always put the addiction (specifically that of smoking) before Lana, which upset her. It seems that Lana was hoping time could save they’re relationship. Sadly, her lover is the same man he was before she left. 😦

At 1:24, Lana’s lover pulls the cigarette from his mouth and sets it on her lips. Her face expresses discontentment, but she seems to be “going with the flow” because she doesn’t want to ruin the moment.

At 1:40, Lana’s lover holds his fingers, which are shaped like a pistol, to her head and pushes them away as if he has just shot her. This paints a clearer picture of the man’s insanity and also signals what is to come later on the video.

As the next couple seconds of the video roll on, Lana’s lover becomes more aggressive with his love-making. He grabs Lana’s face and even when she pulls away in objection, he continues to handle her with strong crudity.

At 1:51, Lana whispers into her lover’s ear, “We were born to die”. This tells us that Lana sees no future in the current relationship. She knows him and her were not meant to be.

SCENE 2:

Next, we see Lana back in her heavenly mansion, lying alone on a bed scattered with flowers. Her face is gleamed with disgust as she recalls old memories of her lover. At 1:59, her lover even appears on the bed next to her, stroking her arm. However, this is only a hallucination Lana is having. It almost seems as if this man’s love is once again tempting her. Although she is as far away from this man as she could possibly be, she still longs for his touch, even though it often hurt.

At 2:16, Lana is leaning against a door. Behind her is a dark room. When a light shines into the room, we see a hallucination of Lana’s lover. He moves his hand across his neck, which is a symbol of death. The memory of this man is haunting Lana. Both the good and the bad.

Next, we are again taken to the past. Lana and her lover are now cruising down a dark road inside the car. The two are no longer talking. They both seem angry. Lana looks out the fogging window with sad eyes. You can tell by her face that she is not happy.

At 2:43, we see the car pick up speed. The camera pans over the man’s face as he looks on with determination. Keep in mind, this man is insane.

Throughout this driving scene, Lana and her lover exchange looks. Whenever Lana is greeted by the eyes of her man, she looks away. She feels uncomfortable with him.

At 3:06, Lana’s lover takes both his hand’s off the steering wheel and grabs Lana’s neck to kiss her again.
This is when we are taken back to Lana’s mansion in heaven. We are not allowed to see what exactly happens to the car next.

The camera once again pans over the mansion ceilings, only this time they are darkened with a black shadow. This signifies death.

Lana takes a journey around her mansion. She sees a door with a bright light shining through it and begins to creep toward it. This is Lana walking away from her dark past, even though it is very hard for her. She is allowing herself to be freed from all the awful memories of her life on earth.

Finally, at 4:11, Lana opens up the door and is greeted with an area of powerful white lights. She walks into the light, which signifies salvation and rebirth. She has moved on. She is a new woman.

At 4:13, we are taken to the past one last time. Lana’s lover is holding Lana’s dead body which is splattered in blood. Behind them is the wreckage of their car, burning in hot flames. The man killed Lana. We are not certain if it was done on purpose out of anger or if it was done out of carelessness. Regardless, this is why Lana had so much trouble forgetting this man. He was the man that gave her life, but also the one who took her life. Thankfully, the video shows us that she moved past it.

Conclusion: To summarize things, the purpose of this video is to tell us that we have the power to move passed the haunting memories of our past. Lana believes that, regardless of what bad may come on this planet, we will be redeemed after we die and no pain we endured on earth will affect us. Lana in an interview also described this song as being about “living life in pain with fleeting moments of happiness.” Ultimately, even if you’re in deep pain, there are still things to be enjoyed. But be sure to except the death of things that were “born to die”.

“Brain”, BANKS – Lyrical Analysis

LISTEN:

ARTIST: Banks is an American singer-songwriter from LA. She first made her break into the music scene with her first single “Before I Ever Met You”. She later went on to releasing an EP titled “London” in which she promoted on tour with R&B legend, The Weeknd. Banks’ debut album, “Goddess” dropped worldwide on September 8th of 2014. She promoted the album with American and European headlining tours.

Misconception: Not much has been said about Banks just yet. However, her often dark sound may steer the common listener away. Her fragile, emotional voice and dark, personal lyrics tell stories that every human being who has walked the earth can resonate with.

Song: “Brain”

But it’s all the same.
I could have foreseen
That you would act like you are.

Banks starts the song with the word “but” which implies that the song is a continuation of another song. Most likely her hit, “Waiting Game”. Banks knew that her man would act the way he is acting. But how exactly is he acting?

Oh so cool you seem
Blending with that scene.

Banks is mocking this person by confronting them for trying to act “cooler” than he really is. This guy is clearly trying very hard to fit into a certain clique, one he doesn’t naturally fall into.

Wearing what you think is hard.

The person Banks is referring to is wearing different clothing in an attempt to look more intimidating. Whoever this person is is really desperate for attention.

[Chorus]
I can see you struggling
Boy, don’t hurt your brain.

Banks is telling this person that she can see right through him. She knows what he’s trying to do and she’s warning him, sarcastically, not to hurt himself in this fatal attempt to become someone he isn’t.

Thinking what you’re gonna say.

This person doesn’t know how to respond when Banks confronts him on his desperate act of conformity. Secretly, this guy knows that the person he has turned into is not truly “him”. He’s turned into someone he isn’t, only so he could impress a certain group of people. Unfortunately, amidst all this, he has pushed Banks away. She is very annoyed by this.

Cause everything’s a game.
Always trying to calculate.

To this guy, everything is a competition. He wants to win at everything in hopes he’ll be admired by everyone. He’s always thinking up new ways to try and manipulate the way certain people view him.

Trying to look smart but not too smart,
To threaten anything they say.

Banks’ friend (boyfriend, maybe) is a conformist. He doesn’t want to jeopardize his opportunity to blend in with the crowd. This is why he doesn’t want to say or do anything “too smart” because this may annoy people. However, he does want to assert himself to a small extent in order to become the “head” of the pack. He wants to be one with “the group” while also being above them.

[Instrumental Interlude]

This short instrumental paints a picture of the mechanics inside this guy’s brain. The constant ticking and it’s increased volume resembles how hard this guy is thinking in order to please everyone around him.

The next lines are the same as the first two, only this time Banks screams them at the top of her lungs. This is a very strong contrast to the first two verses where Banks sings in a deep, quiet register. This is a clever way of depicting the frustration that Banks has been holding back throughout half the song. At the end, she explodes. She is now yelling at this guy. She has lost all patience with him and his obsession with being everybody’s best friend. The only one he should devote his time to is her.

Conclusion: We all know somebody who tries to be someone they’re not as an attempt to impress certain people or become more popular and admired. In this song, Banks is brave enough to confront these type of people. She mocks them and exposes their obsessive actions. Thank God for Banks… and this amazing song.

“Pendulum”, FKA twigs – Lyrical Analysis

LISTEN:

Artist: FKA twigs is a British singer-songwriter and dancer. Twigs began her time in the spotlight way back in 2010 as a back-up dancer in music videos for Ed Sheeran, Kylie Minogue, and Jessie J. In 2012, twigs decided that her true love was for making her own music, not being a background item in other singers’ videos. After releasing her second critically acclaimed EP in 2013, twigs finally released her debut full-length album, LP1, in August of 2014. The album went on to becoming one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the year, with a Metacritic score of 87/100.

Misconception: As FKA twigs’ popularity sky rockets and her music becomes more familiar to the general public, questions are rising about the stories behind her music. Her glitch-filled, electronic production and mysterious, indirect lyrics have left many listeners baffled and confused. Today I will be analyzing the lyrics behind one of twigs’ most popular songs, “Pendulum” to give her audience a greater understanding of the story she is telling.

Song: “Pendulum”

“Pendulum”

I’m a sweet
Little love maker.

In this first line, twigs is referring to herself as an object that’s only importance lies in the pleasure she gives her man. This is most likely the way twigs’ lover perceives her and it bothers her.

Finding time
To make my words better.

This line continues the cynical narrative of how Twigs is “sweet” and “little”. This line indicates that the lyrics in her music are also silly and small. This line tells us that twigs’ lover makes her feel like a failure and a joke. Everything from her role in their relationship, to the music she makes is deemed underwhelming by her man.

I, Lately I’m,
Not so present now.

Now, twigs is expressing how she views herself. She says that she has lost touch of herself amidst the undermining relationship she is trapped in.

Not enough,
For your constant fun.

Twigs is finding it hard to keep up with her man and to satisfy his every desire. Her lover wants to have fun all the time. He views her as an object of sex and that’s all he wants from her all the time,yet
she doesn’t feel like she means anything more than that to him, therefore she is not fit to be with him. He needs a woman who is only in it for the short term, not a commitment.

I’ve got time, but you’re tired of waiting
You only want me in open spaces

Twigs is saying that she is willing to make an effort to save their relationship. She wants to take the time to sort out their problems like a mature couple should. However, twigs’ lover disagrees. He’s “tired of waiting”, which once again implies that all he wants is sex. He wants it now and holds no interest in a long-term love.
“You only want me in open spaces” tells us that twigs’ lover is not honest with her. When two people are in love, they are supposed to know everything about each other. Nothing should be kept secret. Unfortunately, this man only allows twigs into the comfortable parts of his life. He’s never allowed himself to open up to her and her alone.

Can’t fill your gaps with people.

Twigs’ lover tries to surround himself with many people in order to fill the emptiness inside of him. This upsets twigs because she wants to be his one and only. Now, twigs just feels like another number, filling the void in her lover’s soul.

I know no one.

Unlike her man, twigs has forgotten all the other people in her life in order to focus all her love and attention on him. Now that twigs sees it was a mistake to devote her entire life to this man, she is wondering what she will do once she leaves him.

[Chorus:]
So lonely trying to be yours
When you’re looking for so much more

Twigs feels unimportant to her man. In focusing solely on their relationship by pushing everybody else away, twigs has no one to seek refuge in since the only one she has any relationship with is her man. Twigs is not good enough for her lover. He is looking for more than just one person to satisfy his needs.

You forgot
How we fell in love.

Although it seems completely useless, twigs is trying to remind her lover of how they first fell in love in hopes that it will rekindle their lost flame.

I’m your sweet
Little love maker.

Twigs once again refers to herself as a “little love maker” in hopes to remind her lover of what she means to him. Twigs is finally coming to means with how she has no one but this man in her life so she should accept the fact that unless she stays with this man, she’ll be alone.

You’re younger than I am broken

Twigs is comparing herself to her lover. She is proving to herself how unfit they are for one another. Twigs’ lover is too young to make a real commitment in love, whereas twigs is reaching the age where love is becoming a lost cause.

I dance feelings like they’re spoken,
So normal conversation is not enough.

Twigs has said before that dancing is her way of telling a story or expressing emotion. Here, she is saying that the way normal human beings communicate is not enough for her. She needs a more intimate relationship with a person in order for it to be “real”.

[Chorus:]
So lonely trying to be yours
Running through sliding doors.

Twigs is comparing the relationship she has with this man to “running through sliding doors”. It’s virtually impossible.

So lonely trying to be yours
When you’re looking for so much more.
(So lonely trying)
How does it feel to have me thinking about you?

In this part of the song, twigs’ vocals fall into a deep distortion, implying that what she is saying is very confrontational and difficult for her to say. Twigs is asking her lover if he is satisfied. He has her right where he wants her and she is wondering if he is finally happy. She certainly isn’t.

Wishing the words were enough to consume you.
So lonely trying to be yours
How does it feel to have me thinking about you?

Twigs wishes that there was something she could say that could change his mind and make him hers to keep. She is also using the word “consume” to imply that she wants him gone. She is confused here. She is still uncertain about where this man lies in her heart, much like he is with her.

[Chorus]

[2X:]
To be yours

As the song comes to a close, the production and the vocals build drastically. This signifies that twigs is becoming very uptight with this relationship she is singing about. Sadly, by the song’s end, twigs still has no idea if she is going to leave this man or not.

CONCLUSION: In this song, twigs is painting a picture of an addictive relationship. Despite the fact that some relationships are unsafe, we love a person so much that we stay with them. The title, “Pendulum”, although not mentioned once in the song, is indirectly referenced throughout. Twigs’ relationship with her lover is much like a pendulum. It moves back and forth. Twigs wants to be with her man one second but then hates him enough to leave the next. Love can be confusing and impossible.

“Wrecking Ball (Music Video)”, Miley Cyrus – Analysis

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Artist: Miley Cyrus is one of the most popular, successful pop stars ever. She began her career as Miley Stewart on the hit Disney Channel television show, “Hannah Montana”. Miley went on to releasing 7 number one albums before she was even 18, breaking records. Throughout Miley’s career, she’s been severely criticized for being “too sexual” and “too promiscuous” for her age. Even when Miley was doing things that every other female pop star was doing, she was the one getting the most flack.

Misconception: It doesn’t matter how old you are, you most likely know who Miley Cyrus is and you’ve likely formed your own opinion on her. My Grandma, as conservative and disconnected with pop culture as she is, knew exactly who Miley Cyrus was after her controversial 2013 VMA performance was recapped on every American newscast. Like many people, my grandma was disgusted with Cyrus and couldn’t believe that any human being would do what she did on stage that night. Miley is portrayed as being “talentless”, “attention-seeking”, and incapable of making music with any purpose. Nothing could be further from the truth. Miley’s job as a pop start is to shock and provoke, and she nails it. The other part of Miley’s job is to identify with people her age. She did a great job with this in her record-shattering music video for the #1 hit “Wrecking Ball”.

Video: “Wrecking Ball”

SCENE 1:

The first clip of the music video shows Miley looking directly into the camera, her eyes filling up with tears. She looks frustrated as she sings the first line of the song. Miley is trying to hold back the feelings brought to her when she thinks about the troubled relationship she is currently drowning in.

At the 0:31 second mark, we see Miley leaning against a concrete wall with a sledgehammer against her shoulders. Her eyes are closed. She seems to be recalling the past. The memories of that painful relationship haunt her and she seems ready to forget them.

At 0:44, Miley is making her rounds around the perimeter of the concrete room she is in. She looks trapped. This room signifies the suffocating limitations of the relationship she is in. The man she is with now makes her feel trapped, like she can’t be herself. She is contemplating whether or not she should break free (break up).

At 0:47, Miley seductively slides her lips down the top of the sledgehammer. Sure, it’s a strange sight, but it has significance. A sledgehammer is a tool made for destruction. The sledgehammer in this video represents the destructive nature of the relationship she is in. However, despite the fact that she is hurting, Miley still loves the man that is hurting her, hence why she is “displaying affection” to this tool of torture. Often, we love the things that hurt us the most.

At the 0:54 mark, Miley is walking out of the concrete room, meaning she is attempting to break free from this barring relationship. Once Miley is free, a large wrecking ball comes in and knocks down one of the concrete walls. This is symbolism for the obliteration of the unsafe relationship Miley was in. She is allowing the memories of the past to vanish.

SCENE 2:

Now, at 1:01, Miley is sitting on top of the wrecking ball, swinging back and forth. The way Miley peers through the camera as she rides atop the object that helped her obliterate the painful memories of her relationship, suggests that she is no longer afraid. She seems to be staring at her ex-lover with confident eyes almost saying, “I made it out alive. You couldn’t wreck me.”

At 1:18, Miley is fully naked on top of the wrecking ball. Now, Miley is a pop star, so it’s likely that she got naked simply to provoke her audience, but we’re going to assume that it means more. Nakedness means vulnerability, but it also means to strip oneself of the bad. Miley being naked in this scene shows us how vulnerable her past relationship made her. It stripped her of her identity, leaving her bare. She felt worthless and ashamed.
But now, Miley is naked while destroying the thing that made her “naked” in the first place. This signifies the way Miley was still able to find confidence amidst the degrading events of the past.

Miley continues to obliterate the concrete room (symbolic for the relationship she was in) with the things that she feared at the beginning of the video. She used her obstacles to her advantage. Because Miley’s man tore her apart emotionally, she had to find ways to cope with the pain. She grew stronger because of this. Now, she is using the strength she gained from this troubling relationship to benefit her. Miley is strong enough to make sure that these horrible memories don’t haunt her forever.

At 1:56, Miley throws a punch at her face. This shows us the confusion and frustration she is experiencing at this point in the video. She hates herself for ever allowing her ex-lover to hurt her like he did. She is taking partial responsibility for the pain she is now. Miley was so in love that she was delusional to the bad intentions of her man.

2:27 – Here, shots between Miley crying in front of the camera and lying atop the debris of the room she has just destroyed, shows us how hard it was for Miley to break free. Anybody who’s ever been in love with someone, will know how hard it is to leave when things go down hill. Even when you finally find the strength to leave, you continue to wonder if it was the right decision.
This is a bitter-sweet moment in the video. Miley has fully obliterated the memories of her deadly past, but she still wonders if there was anything else she could’ve done to save her relationship. Hence the line, “and instead of using force, I guess I should’ve let you win.” Instead of trying to rise above her man, Miley’s beginning to wonder if she should’ve allowed him to continuously control her, because now she is lonely. Sometimes, a relationship makes us forget that we are capable of supporting ourselves and living an independent life.

At the end of the video, Miley is still lying in the debris. She is still emotionally attached to the relationship, even though she has willingly put it behind her. Relationships may fade, but memories never do. Although Miley has physically moved on, emotionally, she may never get over this love.

Conclusion: In this video, Miley is showing us that we have the power to take control of the things in our lives that are hurting us. Don’t ever allow anybody to make you so weak and so vulnerable that you can’t take control of your life. Love yourself enough to leave the things that bar you up and bring you pain.