Tone is the attitude of the band toward their listeners. In the case of Boston’s “Rock n’ Roll Band” and Pink Floyd’s “Have a Cigar”, the bands are singing about the same subject matter, fame in rock and roll music. However, the tone that is conveyed by the bands are entirely different. Boston’s “Rock and Roll Band” suggests the ease and happiness that can be associated with fame in the rock and roll industry. On the contrary, Pink Floyd’s “Have a Cigar” mocks the fame that is associated with rock and roll, and communicates the depressing and dark realties of this fame.
In Boston’s “Rock n’ Roll Band”, the band has a positive outlook on the fame that is associated with being in a rock and roll band. “No, we didn’t have much money/We barely made enough to survive/But when we got up on stage and got ready to play/People come alive” (Boston). The tone of the band as displayed in this song is that fame is worthwhile, even though it may be hard to come by. Fame, as is portrayed in “Rock n’ Roll Band”, shows that fame in rock and roll is valuable and always exciting. Because the tone of the song is positive, the band is able to convince their listeners with their optimism.
Unlike Boston’s tone toward fame in the rock and roll industry, Pink Floyd’s “Have a Cigar” depicts a depressing and darker feeling toward the industry. The band makes use of satire by mocking the fame that is associated with fame in the rock and roll industry. Throughout “Have a Cigar”, a skeptical and cynical outlook on being famous is apparent. “Well I’ve always had a deep respect/And I mean that most sincere/The band is just fantastic/that is really what I think” (Floyd).
The two bands take a different approach at describing fame in rock and roll, and the tones in the two songs are dissimilar even though the subject matter is the same. Despite this, the two songs have some similarities. “Have a Cigar” and “Rock n’ Roll Band” are both about being in a rock and roll band and the fame that entails. Also, both bands use the motif of a cigar and compare this with fame in the industry. Ordinarily, cigars are used to represent victory, privilege, and celebration. In Floyd's "Have a Cigar", the use of the cigar is to mock the ease that is thought to accompany fame in the music industry. “Come in here, Dear boy, have a cigar/You’re gonna go far/You’re gonna fly high” (Floyd). However, Boston uses the motif of a cigar as a symbol of prosperity and affluence in “Rock n’ Roll Band”. “A man came to the stage one night/He smoked a big cigar/Drove a Cadillac car” (Boston).
Friday, April 30, 2010
Back Masking and Reverse Speech
Often in songs there is a message that can be found when listening to the song backwards. However, these messages are often sought after with such intensity that they can be created solely based on what the listener believe he or she hears. While sometimes the messages are intentional, they can be looked into too much and thought to exist even when that was not the intention of the song writer. In my opinion, back masking does exist in some songs based on the artists intentions. Also, I believe that reverse speech is based on what the audience chooses to hear while listening to the song, and it may be different from what another person hears.
1. Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" is a prime example of back masking. This song has a distinct message when played both forward and backward, and the backward lyrics are clear unlike several other examples. The references to Satan when the song is listened to in reverse is common in back masking in many songs, making it more clear that the back masking was intentional.
2. Another example of intentional back masking in song is in "I'm So Tired" by the Beatles. When played forward, a certain part of the song is only gibberish with no actual lyrics. Then, when the song is played backwards, the lyrics are "Paul is a dead man. Miss him, miss him, miss him". Because the song is merely gibberish forward and has a message backwards, the back masking was intentional. Also, often in the Beatles music, there are hints that Paul McCartney was dead.
3. Eminem's "My name is" is another example of back masking in song that was done on purpose in my opinion. When listened to backwards, the listener can hear "It is Slim. It's Eminem, it's Eminem...". In my opinion, this is on purpose because one is able to clearly hear the name of the singer when the song is listened to backwards. Therefore, this example of back masking is not hogwash, but intentional.
4. Because the song is indistinguishable when played forward, Pink Floyd's "Empty Spaces" is a prime example of back masking. The message backwards is "Congratulations. You have just discovered the secret message. Please send your message to old pink, care of the funny farm, Chalfont". The secret message, or back masking, is done on purpose in this case as is stated when the song is listened to backwards.
5. Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time" is not an example of back masking. One is not able to hear the backward lyrics distinctly, and they can vary depending on the listener. These backwards song lyrics may have been "discovered" solely based on her Spears' reputation.
6. Another excellent example of back masking is Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust". In the song, "Another one bites the dust" is repeated four times. When listening to these lyrics backwards, one can hear "It's fun to smoke marijuana". These lyrics are clear and, because of the time that the song came out and the time that the band was popular, the topic of smoking was ever present. The popular saying of the time, "sex, drugs, and rock and roll" also portrays that this example is intentional back masking.
7. The apparent back masking in the "Pokemon Rap" is hogwash. One can not hear what is supposed to say "I love Satan". Also, because Pokemon is geared toward the younger generation, I do not believe that these backward lyrics were on purpose. In my opinion, this supposed example of back masking has been read too much into.
8. In Weird Al's "Nature Trail to Hell", there is a true example of back masking. Weird Al's songs are usually strange and abnormal. Therefore, when the backwards lyrics read "Satan eats Cheese Whiz", I believe this is intentional. Also, the forward lyrics are gibberish which makes it more obvious that the back masking was done on purpose.
9. "Kiss Kiss Kiss" by Yoko Ono is supposedly an example of back masking. However, the lyrics, when played forward, are in a different language. Due to this fact, I believe that the lyrics were not intentionally sung to say "I shot John Lennon" backwards. Also, Ono was Lennon's partner, and therefore this "back masking" does not make sense.
10. In my opinion, the best example of back masking in song appears when the song "Fire on High" by ELO is played backwards. This is the best example in my opinion because the original lyrics are indistinguishable, but when listened to backwards, the lyrics are very clear. Also, the backwards read that "the music is reversible". In ELO's song, one can be quite certain that the back masking in the song was intentional.
All in all, I believe that back masking is used in some songs to get a message across. However, people have listened to songs backwards and supposedly heard messages which were not intended by the song writers. I believe that back masking has to be done on purpose in songs and cannot be unintentional.
1. Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" is a prime example of back masking. This song has a distinct message when played both forward and backward, and the backward lyrics are clear unlike several other examples. The references to Satan when the song is listened to in reverse is common in back masking in many songs, making it more clear that the back masking was intentional.
2. Another example of intentional back masking in song is in "I'm So Tired" by the Beatles. When played forward, a certain part of the song is only gibberish with no actual lyrics. Then, when the song is played backwards, the lyrics are "Paul is a dead man. Miss him, miss him, miss him". Because the song is merely gibberish forward and has a message backwards, the back masking was intentional. Also, often in the Beatles music, there are hints that Paul McCartney was dead.
3. Eminem's "My name is" is another example of back masking in song that was done on purpose in my opinion. When listened to backwards, the listener can hear "It is Slim. It's Eminem, it's Eminem...". In my opinion, this is on purpose because one is able to clearly hear the name of the singer when the song is listened to backwards. Therefore, this example of back masking is not hogwash, but intentional.
4. Because the song is indistinguishable when played forward, Pink Floyd's "Empty Spaces" is a prime example of back masking. The message backwards is "Congratulations. You have just discovered the secret message. Please send your message to old pink, care of the funny farm, Chalfont". The secret message, or back masking, is done on purpose in this case as is stated when the song is listened to backwards.
5. Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time" is not an example of back masking. One is not able to hear the backward lyrics distinctly, and they can vary depending on the listener. These backwards song lyrics may have been "discovered" solely based on her Spears' reputation.
6. Another excellent example of back masking is Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust". In the song, "Another one bites the dust" is repeated four times. When listening to these lyrics backwards, one can hear "It's fun to smoke marijuana". These lyrics are clear and, because of the time that the song came out and the time that the band was popular, the topic of smoking was ever present. The popular saying of the time, "sex, drugs, and rock and roll" also portrays that this example is intentional back masking.
7. The apparent back masking in the "Pokemon Rap" is hogwash. One can not hear what is supposed to say "I love Satan". Also, because Pokemon is geared toward the younger generation, I do not believe that these backward lyrics were on purpose. In my opinion, this supposed example of back masking has been read too much into.
8. In Weird Al's "Nature Trail to Hell", there is a true example of back masking. Weird Al's songs are usually strange and abnormal. Therefore, when the backwards lyrics read "Satan eats Cheese Whiz", I believe this is intentional. Also, the forward lyrics are gibberish which makes it more obvious that the back masking was done on purpose.
9. "Kiss Kiss Kiss" by Yoko Ono is supposedly an example of back masking. However, the lyrics, when played forward, are in a different language. Due to this fact, I believe that the lyrics were not intentionally sung to say "I shot John Lennon" backwards. Also, Ono was Lennon's partner, and therefore this "back masking" does not make sense.
10. In my opinion, the best example of back masking in song appears when the song "Fire on High" by ELO is played backwards. This is the best example in my opinion because the original lyrics are indistinguishable, but when listened to backwards, the lyrics are very clear. Also, the backwards read that "the music is reversible". In ELO's song, one can be quite certain that the back masking in the song was intentional.
All in all, I believe that back masking is used in some songs to get a message across. However, people have listened to songs backwards and supposedly heard messages which were not intended by the song writers. I believe that back masking has to be done on purpose in songs and cannot be unintentional.
Untitled
Grown from the ground
Manufactured and over produced
Too much causes inflation
Too little causes depression
The economy depends on it
The people worship it
Those with an abundance have greed
Those with none have poverty
It has the power to burn holes
And the power to consume
It has been said to talk
And has the power to make people listen
Often taken for granted
And always desired
It can be saved and spent wisely
Or lost or frittered away
It can be stashed or invested
It has become the center of our world
and the gem of our universe
To some it is an idol or a god
To be worshiped ad praised
But to others, an enemy
Something to hate and demise
Green and gold
With multiple faces
It can be given as a gift
But is often taken for personal gain
It is said to be the root of all evil
And may have a harmful intent
It can be used to benefit others
It's purpose can be two faced
Similar to its appearance
It may cause pain or anxiety
And stress often entails
It is associated with invincibility
Until it disappears
It is loved and hated
Sought and traded
So use it wisely while you can
Because it can't be taken with you
Manufactured and over produced
Too much causes inflation
Too little causes depression
The economy depends on it
The people worship it
Those with an abundance have greed
Those with none have poverty
It has the power to burn holes
And the power to consume
It has been said to talk
And has the power to make people listen
Often taken for granted
And always desired
It can be saved and spent wisely
Or lost or frittered away
It can be stashed or invested
It has become the center of our world
and the gem of our universe
To some it is an idol or a god
To be worshiped ad praised
But to others, an enemy
Something to hate and demise
Green and gold
With multiple faces
It can be given as a gift
But is often taken for personal gain
It is said to be the root of all evil
And may have a harmful intent
It can be used to benefit others
It's purpose can be two faced
Similar to its appearance
It may cause pain or anxiety
And stress often entails
It is associated with invincibility
Until it disappears
It is loved and hated
Sought and traded
So use it wisely while you can
Because it can't be taken with you
Myths and Legends in Song
Robert Johnson sells his soul to the devil.
A talented blues musician, Robert Johnson was willing to do anything for popularity in the industry. Legend has it that one day Johnson was told to go to a nearby crossroad with his guitar. Here, "he was met by a large black man" (Wikipedia, 1), or a representative of the Devil. The Devil took the guitar from Robert Johnson, and he played several songs for him with a high level of skill. After finishing these songs, the Devil returned the guitar to Johnson, who was then blessed with a "mastery of the guitar" (Wikipedia, 1). In essence, this was "a deal with the Devil" (Wikipedia, 1) because Robert Johnson gave up his soul and in exchange he "was able to create the blues for which he became famous" (Wikipedia, 1).
United States. Wikipedia. Robert Johnson (musician). 14 April 2010. Web. 15 April 2010.
Ozzy Osborne's taste for doves and bats.
Throughout his adult life, Ozzy Osbourne has been criticized for his abuse of drugs and alcohol and his unpredictability. Osbourne has been known to bite the heads off of small animals, more specifically a bat and a dove, due to drunkedness or simply out of the blue. Osbourne planned to use doves at an upcoming concert "as a sign of peace" (Wikipedia, 1). While in Los Angeles "meeting with some record-company executives" (Wikipedia, 1), Ozzy "bit the head off a dove...due to being intoxicated at the time" (Wikipedia, 1). Another incident involving Ozzy Osbourne and a small animal was during his 1982 performance at the "Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines, Iowa" (Wikipedia, 1). An audience member threw a bat that she said "was brought to the show dead" even though "the Rolling Stones stated the bat was alive" (Wikipedia, 1). Instead of removing or avoiding the bat on the stage, Ozzy "bit the head off the bat he thought was rubber" (Wikipedia, 1). All in all, Osbourne has gained much feedback from these incidents, and they "have been alluded to several times throughout his career" (Wikipedia, 1).
United States. Wikipedia. Ozzy Osbourne. 13 April 2010. Web. 15 April 2010.
The mythology surrounding the Abbey Road cover.
Millions of conspiracies have surrounded the Beatles famous Abbey Road album cover. According to conspiracy theorists, there are several hidden messages covering the entire cover that were meant to portray that Paul McCartney had died. One message was the absence of Paul's shoes on the cover which represented that he was dead. Also, the choice of clothing for each of the band members portrayed different roles that are played at a funeral; priest, grave digger, and mourner. A bloodstain, which represents that of McCartney, appears in the image in front of Ringo Starr. Also, it is said that "if the back cover is turned 45 degrees anticlockwise a crude image of the Grim Reaper appears" (Mail on Sunday Reporter, 1), which is another indication of Paul's death. Finally, in the backround of the album cover there is an stationary police van. This is "a reference to the police who kept quiet about Paul's 'death'" (Mail on Sunday Reporter, 1). Even though Paul McCartney did not die, many conspiracy theorists look for signs in the Abbey Road album cover that suggest that he did, and this has "sparked a million conspiracy theories" (Mail on Sunday Reporter, 1).
United Kingdom. Mail on Sunday Reporter. The Beatles album cover that started a decades-long conspiracy theory. 9 August 2009. 15 April 2010.
Bob Dylan goes electric.
At the Newport Folk Festival on July 25, 1965, popular folk singer Bob Dylan shocked the audience and the world of folk music when he "declared his independence from the orthodoxy of the folk scene and publicly unveiled his rock & roll heart" (Rolling Stone, 1). To do so, Dylan plugged in an electric guitar for the first time and played three songs with "the electric-Chicago charge of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band" (Rolling Stone, 1). Because Dylan's change was drastic and unexpected, the audience was not pleased with his decision. It was said that "he left the stage in tears — shocked by the shouting and heckling from several members of the Newport audience" (Rolling Stone, 1). Although Bob Dylan's decision to change his styling was not well-recieved at first, he has come to change the world of rock and roll forever.
Dylan Goes Electric in 1965. Rolling Stone Magazine. 24 June 2004. Web. 15 April 2010.
Favorite myth or legend in song.
On July 29, 1974, 'Mama' Cass Elliot died after several successful years in the popular music group the "the Mamas & the Papas" (White, 1). Many conspiracy theorists have suggested that Elliot died by choking on a ham sandwich, simply due to the fact that "the uneaten remains...were found near her body" (White, 1). Despite these rumors, the autopsy reported that Mama Cass "died of heart failure brought on by the effects of obesity and crash dieting" (White, 1). Also, when her body was discovered, "the coroner found no evidence of anything, ham sandwich or otherwise, blocking her windpipe" (White, 1). Due to this undeniable evidence, one can be certain that the conspiracies surrounding this incident are indeed false and that Elliot died from a heart attack.
White, David. Top Ten Rock Music Myths. David White, 2005. Web. 15 April 2010.
Sgt. Pepper Cover
In the Sgt. Pepper cover, many familiar faces are present. First, an image of Paul McCartney, a former member of the popular British band the Beatles, appears in the image. Because McCartney was a "founding father" of the Beatles and the cover is for a Beatles album, Paul McCartney is shown on the Sgt. Pepper cover. Another legend that appears on the album cover is Edgar Allen Poe. Similar to the Beatles writing their own songs, Poe was a writer of poetry and short stories. Therefore, Edgar Allen Poe appears on this cover. Finally, John Lennon, another popular member of the British band, is shown on the Sgt. Pepper cover because of his affilition with the Beatles.
Despite several familiar faces on the Sgt. Pepper cover, their are several faces that are unfamiliar. Sonny Liston is an individual that is unrecognizable. Liston was a professional heavyweight boxer, winning several fights throughout his career. Another face that is unfamiliar is that of Diana Dors. Twentieth century actress, Dors had several roles in small films television series. A third person that is unfamiliar is Lenny Bruce, a famous comedian and striving dancer. Liston, Dors, and Bruce were all unfamiliar faces that appeared on the Beatles Sgt. Pepper cover.
Waymark, Peter. Diana Dors (actress). Peter Waymark, 2004. Web. 15 April 2010.
Boskin, Joseph. Bruce Lenny. Joseph Boskin, 2000. Web. 15 April 2010.
Davis, Luckett V. Sonny Liston (boxer). Luckett V Davis, 2000. Web. 15 April 2010.
A talented blues musician, Robert Johnson was willing to do anything for popularity in the industry. Legend has it that one day Johnson was told to go to a nearby crossroad with his guitar. Here, "he was met by a large black man" (Wikipedia, 1), or a representative of the Devil. The Devil took the guitar from Robert Johnson, and he played several songs for him with a high level of skill. After finishing these songs, the Devil returned the guitar to Johnson, who was then blessed with a "mastery of the guitar" (Wikipedia, 1). In essence, this was "a deal with the Devil" (Wikipedia, 1) because Robert Johnson gave up his soul and in exchange he "was able to create the blues for which he became famous" (Wikipedia, 1).
United States. Wikipedia. Robert Johnson (musician). 14 April 2010. Web. 15 April 2010.
Ozzy Osborne's taste for doves and bats.
Throughout his adult life, Ozzy Osbourne has been criticized for his abuse of drugs and alcohol and his unpredictability. Osbourne has been known to bite the heads off of small animals, more specifically a bat and a dove, due to drunkedness or simply out of the blue. Osbourne planned to use doves at an upcoming concert "as a sign of peace" (Wikipedia, 1). While in Los Angeles "meeting with some record-company executives" (Wikipedia, 1), Ozzy "bit the head off a dove...due to being intoxicated at the time" (Wikipedia, 1). Another incident involving Ozzy Osbourne and a small animal was during his 1982 performance at the "Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines, Iowa" (Wikipedia, 1). An audience member threw a bat that she said "was brought to the show dead" even though "the Rolling Stones stated the bat was alive" (Wikipedia, 1). Instead of removing or avoiding the bat on the stage, Ozzy "bit the head off the bat he thought was rubber" (Wikipedia, 1). All in all, Osbourne has gained much feedback from these incidents, and they "have been alluded to several times throughout his career" (Wikipedia, 1).
United States. Wikipedia. Ozzy Osbourne. 13 April 2010. Web. 15 April 2010.
The mythology surrounding the Abbey Road cover.
Millions of conspiracies have surrounded the Beatles famous Abbey Road album cover. According to conspiracy theorists, there are several hidden messages covering the entire cover that were meant to portray that Paul McCartney had died. One message was the absence of Paul's shoes on the cover which represented that he was dead. Also, the choice of clothing for each of the band members portrayed different roles that are played at a funeral; priest, grave digger, and mourner. A bloodstain, which represents that of McCartney, appears in the image in front of Ringo Starr. Also, it is said that "if the back cover is turned 45 degrees anticlockwise a crude image of the Grim Reaper appears" (Mail on Sunday Reporter, 1), which is another indication of Paul's death. Finally, in the backround of the album cover there is an stationary police van. This is "a reference to the police who kept quiet about Paul's 'death'" (Mail on Sunday Reporter, 1). Even though Paul McCartney did not die, many conspiracy theorists look for signs in the Abbey Road album cover that suggest that he did, and this has "sparked a million conspiracy theories" (Mail on Sunday Reporter, 1).
United Kingdom. Mail on Sunday Reporter. The Beatles album cover that started a decades-long conspiracy theory. 9 August 2009. 15 April 2010.
Bob Dylan goes electric.
At the Newport Folk Festival on July 25, 1965, popular folk singer Bob Dylan shocked the audience and the world of folk music when he "declared his independence from the orthodoxy of the folk scene and publicly unveiled his rock & roll heart" (Rolling Stone, 1). To do so, Dylan plugged in an electric guitar for the first time and played three songs with "the electric-Chicago charge of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band" (Rolling Stone, 1). Because Dylan's change was drastic and unexpected, the audience was not pleased with his decision. It was said that "he left the stage in tears — shocked by the shouting and heckling from several members of the Newport audience" (Rolling Stone, 1). Although Bob Dylan's decision to change his styling was not well-recieved at first, he has come to change the world of rock and roll forever.
Dylan Goes Electric in 1965. Rolling Stone Magazine. 24 June 2004. Web. 15 April 2010.
Favorite myth or legend in song.
On July 29, 1974, 'Mama' Cass Elliot died after several successful years in the popular music group the "the Mamas & the Papas" (White, 1). Many conspiracy theorists have suggested that Elliot died by choking on a ham sandwich, simply due to the fact that "the uneaten remains...were found near her body" (White, 1). Despite these rumors, the autopsy reported that Mama Cass "died of heart failure brought on by the effects of obesity and crash dieting" (White, 1). Also, when her body was discovered, "the coroner found no evidence of anything, ham sandwich or otherwise, blocking her windpipe" (White, 1). Due to this undeniable evidence, one can be certain that the conspiracies surrounding this incident are indeed false and that Elliot died from a heart attack.
White, David. Top Ten Rock Music Myths. David White, 2005. Web. 15 April 2010.
Sgt. Pepper Cover
In the Sgt. Pepper cover, many familiar faces are present. First, an image of Paul McCartney, a former member of the popular British band the Beatles, appears in the image. Because McCartney was a "founding father" of the Beatles and the cover is for a Beatles album, Paul McCartney is shown on the Sgt. Pepper cover. Another legend that appears on the album cover is Edgar Allen Poe. Similar to the Beatles writing their own songs, Poe was a writer of poetry and short stories. Therefore, Edgar Allen Poe appears on this cover. Finally, John Lennon, another popular member of the British band, is shown on the Sgt. Pepper cover because of his affilition with the Beatles.
Despite several familiar faces on the Sgt. Pepper cover, their are several faces that are unfamiliar. Sonny Liston is an individual that is unrecognizable. Liston was a professional heavyweight boxer, winning several fights throughout his career. Another face that is unfamiliar is that of Diana Dors. Twentieth century actress, Dors had several roles in small films television series. A third person that is unfamiliar is Lenny Bruce, a famous comedian and striving dancer. Liston, Dors, and Bruce were all unfamiliar faces that appeared on the Beatles Sgt. Pepper cover.
Waymark, Peter. Diana Dors (actress). Peter Waymark, 2004. Web. 15 April 2010.
Boskin, Joseph. Bruce Lenny. Joseph Boskin, 2000. Web. 15 April 2010.
Davis, Luckett V. Sonny Liston (boxer). Luckett V Davis, 2000. Web. 15 April 2010.
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