Through the lens of music, this blog series has primarily focused on the implicit meaning behind lyrics and how they affect our everyday lives. When we are feeling down, music is there to lift us up. When we are feeling happy, music can transform that emotion into a feeling of pure bliss. Furthermore, music has the capability of calling us into action when it comes to moments of political and social crisis.

It then goes without saying that music has the power to change the people that we are. Music is the story of humanity as it deals with our struggles, passions, and dreams. One artist that pulls all the intricacies of music together is Shannon Hoon of Blind Melon. In his song, “Change”, Hoon grapples with the reality that we all have to face – death. Since we are all going to die someday, what impact are we going to make while we’re alive? What is the meaning of life? These are the questions that have been buried within all of my blog post and they come to forefront in “Change.”

Unconventionally, Hoon opens the song with the rattling of a harmonica. This instantly pulls the listener into the song as he opens with the following stanza:

I don’t feel the suns comin’ out today
It’s staying in, it’s gonna find another way
As I sit here in this misery
I don’t think I’ll ever, no, Lord
See the sun from here

From these lyrics, it is easy to see that Hoon is in a very dejected state. Here, the sun acts as a metaphor for Shannon’s life as it starts to fade away. Shannon wrote this song after years of battle with drug addiction and it shows as he sits there in his misery (https://genius.com/14036096). However, Shannon makes an appeal to redemption when he refers to the Lord and how he will never see the “sun” from his state. By placing the words “Lord” and “sun” close to one another, Shannon makes an allusion to the afterlife in hopes that he will be forgiven.

Next, in the chorus, Shannon sings:

And oh as I fade away
They’ll all look at me and say, and they’ll say
Hey look at him, I’ll never live that way
And that’s okay
They’re just afraid to change

Here, Shannon takes notice of how most people don’t approve of his drug use. They say they’ll never live the way the Shannon did but in reality, they are the losers because they’re afraid of change (death). Shannon, on the other hand, isn’t afraid of death because he is happy with the choices he has made in life.

Shannon continues his farewell message to the world when he writes:

When you feel your life ain’t worth living
You’ve got to stand up
And take a look around and you look way up to the sky
Yeah, and when your deepest thoughts are broken
Keep on dreaming boy, ’cause when you stop dreamin’ it’s time to die

In this stanza, Shannon speaks directly to those who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide. It can reasonably be inferred that he struggled with these thoughts as well, but he makes it clear to his audience that suicide is not the answer. Life on earth has meaning because there is something beyond it. Shannon proclaims to his audience to remain hopeful even in the darkest of times because some day, maybe even after death, things are going to get better.

Shannon gives his last piece of advice when he writes:

And as we all play parts of tomorrow
Some ways will work and other ways we’ll play
But I know we all can’t stay here forever
So I want to write my words on the face of today
And then they’ll paint it

Here, Shannon takes notice that some days are meant for work and some days are meant for play. To Shannon, part of life is finding a balance between the two. Furthermore, he takes note that we’re all going to die someday so we must try our best to make our lives here on Earth meaningful. All of us have a part in contributing to the world and leaving behind a legacy for future generations to come.

So as one can see, music even has the power of influencing what legacy we will leave behind when we die. If this is the case, then each and every one of us must live our lives to the fullest. Being a college student, I still have a long way to go. However, if I could give my audience one last piece of advice it would be to do whatever makes you happy. Go after your passions and perform them to best of your capability and your life will have meaning beyond what you could imagine.

See the music video here:

One of the most common complaints I have heard at college is that everything is moving too fast. Because of the stress of new and challenging classes, new social situations, and the routine of college life, the days appear to blend together. For these reasons, it is hard to take a step back and reflect upon what is really going on in our lives. College is such a short yet impactful time of our lives, so it makes sense that we should make the most of every day if we can. Also, due to the fast pace world of social media, it is easy to live our lives through a screen instead of experiencing the real world and making memories. In my opinion, I believe our culture has forgotten what it is truly like to relax due to a fast pace world that focuses on having a financially successful life instead of a good life. Songs like “Let’s Be Still” by The Head and the Heart remind us to slow down and to let the realities of life sink in.

The song opens by showing how easy it is to become enwrapped in the worlds we live in.

You can get lost in the music for hours
honey, You can get lost in a room
We can play music for hours and hours
But the sun’ll still be coming up soon

Here, music is used as a synonym for the many things that we can get lost in. Like music, the world of our studies and trying to be social at the same time is easy to vanish into. The line, “You can get lost in a room” is especially powerful because it shows how often times things flush our minds that we often don’t know where we are in life. It is so easy to get distracted with the trivial aspects of everyday life that it is even possible to get lost in a simple room. The things that divert our attention however won’t ultimately fulfill us because, “the sun’ll still be coming up soon.” This line shows how the worlds we get lost in aren’t what is true, and we must be snapped back into reality.

As I mentioned earlier, one of the most common complaints I hear is that people think everything is moving too fast.

The world’s just spinning
A little too fast
If things don’t slow down soon
we might not last
So just for the moment, let’s be still

Due to the constant stresses of everyday life and being at college, the world seems to be spinning too fast for us. We accomplish everything that needs to be done for that day, but do we really take the time to sit back and think about what we did? If things don’t slow down soon, are we really living life the best way that we can? What’s prominent in these lyrics, however, is that only for a moment should we try and be still. It’s unrealistic to spend every day relaxing but we must take at least one moment out of our day to reflect. If we can take the time to just sit and be still in silence, then our lives will become much more fulfilling.

The song continues to grapple with this fast-moving world and its relation to us in the following stanza:

The world’s not forgiving
Of everyone’s fears
The days turn into months
the months turn into years
So just for the moment, let’s be still

Because of the expansive social media realm, our day to day interactions revolve around us wanting to be liked. The worlds of Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, etc. have become grounds for people to try and prove themselves to the world. We live in constant fear of wanting to be liked so we get sucked into the false realities of social media. In my own experience, living my life through a screen has caused the days to turn into months and the months to turn into years. Due to my constant fear of trying to prove myself to others on social media, I have forgotten what it is like to be still.

It is hard to experience silence nowadays. The weight of everyday life and the added stress of new technologies has sped up our world so fast that it is hard to sit back and relax. Songs like “Let’s Be Still” by Head and the Heart are here to show us that we need to take time to slow down every once in a while. Our days are numbered here on Earth, so we need to take moments out of our day to just be still. This is a message I believe that all people (not just millennials) need to hear in order to start experiencing life firsthand and not through a screen.

Watch the music video here:

In order to be successful in life, you have to put in work. To use a common cliché, you only get out what you put in. I have had this mentality so far while attending SLU, but it isn’t so easy to have all the time. When I feel like procrastinating, I often like to go on a run and listen to “On Top” by Flume. The intensity of the music and lyrics put together instils a drive within me that helps me vigorously pursue my education and what I want to do with my life someday.

The song begins with something we can all relate to:

All that I want in this life is the chance to do my thing
All that I want in this life is the chance to do my thing
Yeah

Like I’ve said before, the reason we all go to college is so that we have the opportunity to study what we love. If we don’t take the chance to do our thing, it becomes difficult to remain motivated and stay on top. If we don’t take the chance to do our thing, whatever that may be, then what is the point of our studies?

After the opening lyrics, the song then gets into pure ambition:

I want the top
All my people right there at the back of the spot
I need the top

This is the point of the song that really gets me going when I’m on a run. Not only wanting the top but needing the top pushes me when I’m in a rut. However, we can’t achieve greatness all on our own which these lyrics point out. There are many people in our lives who helped us to get where we are now, and we can’t take this for granted. In my case, I don’t know where I would be without my parents. Because they have provided me the opportunity to study what I love, they make me want to achieve even more.

Furthermore, to become successful in life, you’re going to have to give some things up along the way. This is apparent in the following lyrics:

And you don’t just wake up rich one day
This kind of life never just slip your way
I gave up taking care free trips to the Bay
Cali banned us ’cause I got a flip in LA

These lyrics get back at the idea that you can’t take anything in life for granted. If becoming rich is your idea of success, then you’re going to have to give some things up. In this case, he “gave up taking care free trips to the Bay” in order to work on his musical career. Sometimes, we have to give up parts of our lives in order to get to the top.

The reality that you have to give certain things up in order to move forward is also seen when Flume writes, “No breaks for me, no vaca’s for me.” In order to become successful, the grind cannot stop. Every day is a new challenge and must be lived to the fullest.

Not only what we do in this world is important but so is what we leave behind.

History favors the bulldog
Roast something, make sure my story gets told
Make sure our story gets told
The night’s forever young, it’s us that gets old

There’s a saying that history is written by the winners. However, I believe these lyrics hold more truth in that history gets written by the “bulldog.” In order for our stories to be told, we have to be memorable. In order to be memorable, we have to want to be the best that we can be. To be successful, you have to be fierce and ambitious like a bulldog. In order to make a difference in this world, you have to get outside of your comfort zone and put yourself out there.

Although I only normally listen to this song when I work out, it still contains many truths. The pathway to the top is long and hard. If you can remember one thing from this blog, don’t take anything for granted. If you always work hard, then maybe one day you will reach the top. Do what you love and do it to the best of your abilities.

Listen to “On Top” here:

It is that time of year again where we gather with family and friends and act grateful for the things that we have. We are thankful for the food in our tummies and the people that we are able to share it with. However, do we (myself included) ever fully acknowledge the blessings that we truly have? If you are reading this blog, you most likely have a somewhat secure life as you dive into your studies at school. With that being said, do people of our status take the time each day to really be grateful? I believe this is one of the problems with our generation but luckily, we can look to artists such as Chance The Rapper to show us what it truly means to acknowledge what we are grateful for.

Even if you are not a spiritual person, “Blessings” by Chance The Rapper is appealing because of its uplifting tone and lyrics. To set the tone of the song, Chance sings,

I’m gon’ praise Him, praise Him ’til I’m gone
When the praises go up, the blessings come down
It seems like blessings keep falling in my lap

These lyrics might be a turn off to some because of the religious allusions to a Christian god. However, there is a theme here that can apply to everyone. No matter what your status, there is always something that you can find to be grateful for. The first step in giving thanks is recognizing all that you have been given. Because Chance acknowledges that he is a blessed man, he is able to see the many blessings that are in his life. We can learn from Chance by recognizing everything that has been given to us.

Chance acknowledges the gifts that he has in the first line of the first verse:

I don’t make songs for free, I make ’em for freedom

Chance is known for not selling his work. All of his songs have always been available for free either through SoundCloud or Spotify. However, the point here is that Chance writes his songs for “freedom.” Here, Chance acknowledges how great it is to live in the United States because of the freedom of speech. Because America has given him this right, he is able to express his thoughts and feelings on what goes on around him. This is a right that many people today take for granted. Freedom of speech is one of the greatest parts about our country and Chance is making sure his audience recognizes that.

Chance continues showing his gratitude when he talks about starting a family:

Said you the man of the house now, look out for your family
He has ordered my steps, gave me a sword with a crest

Here, Chance recognizes the role that he has been given as a father. Sadly, the United States has been crippled by high divorce rates and often times kids growing up don’t have a father figure to look up to. Chances recognizes his duty as a father and realizes the gifts he has in order to raise his family. Chance returns to the topic of family later in the song when he says:

Like my ex girl getting pregnant and her becoming my everything

Instead of leaving his ex-girl to raise the child on her own, Chance recognizes the gift that is life and knows his duty to be a father.

Sometimes, it can be hard to know what to be grateful for. We can look to Chance to gain an understanding of what is a blessing and what is not. In the second verse of the song, Chance sings:

I know the difference in blessings and worldly possessions

During the holiday season, it easy to give thanks for the things we have. This includes worldly possessions maybe such as the latest iPhone or the trendiest clothing brand. However, what Chance is getting at is that we need to be grateful for the relationships we have, not the things we have. In the end, we can only make the most out of this world by being in communion with one another. Worldly possessions aren’t going to bring us lasting happiness and our generation has a very hard time dealing with this. If we recognize the talents that we have, our long journey towards being truly grateful only begins.

Listen to “Blessings” here:

Given my status as a white and privileged male, I sometimes fall into the trap of casting judgements upon people who don’t hold the same moral standards as I do. I have often caught myself wondering how someone could break multiple laws just to make some easy cash. However, I now realize I can’t make judgements upon criminals because I have no idea what they are going through. This is what the song, “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” by Cage the Elephant picks up on and it shows how we shouldn’t be so quick to make judgements on one another.

The song begins by describing a young prostitute:

I was walking down the street when out the corner of my eye
I saw a pretty little thing approaching me
She said, “I never seen a man, who looks so all alone
And could you use a little company?
If you can pay the right price, your evening will be nice
But you can go and send me on my way”
I said, “You’re such a sweet young thing, why you do this to yourself?”
She looked at me and this is what she said

Lead singer Matt Schultz’s shows his privilege when he asks the young girl why she has resorted to prostitution.  She’s so young and beautiful which makes him think that she could be doing something else to make some good money. By asking the question, he shows how he doesn’t know what she is going through.

The prostitute responds to him by saying:

Oh there ain’t no rest for the wicked
Money don’t grow on trees
I got bills to pay, I got mouths to feed
There ain’t nothing in this world for free
Oh no, I can’t slow down, I can’t hold back
Though you know, I wish I could
Oh no there ain’t no rest for the wicked
Until we close our eyes for good

Here, it is apparent how things have gotten so bad for this young woman that she has had to resort to prostitution. To her, it is the easiest way to make money and she shouldn’t be judged for it. After all, she has bills to pay and mouths to feed which makes prostitution a good way to make some money fast. She wishes that it didn’t have to be this way but due to her dire circumstances, it has to be.

The song continues when Schultz runs into a robber:

Not even fifteen minutes later after walking down the street
When I saw the shadow of a man creep out out of sight
And then he swept up from behind, he put a gun up to my head
He made it clear he wasn’t looking for a fight
He said, “Give me all you’ve got, I want your money not your life
But if you try to make a move I won’t think twice”
I told him, “You can have my cash, but first you know I gotta ask
What made you want to live this kind of life?”
He said

Like with the prostitute, Schultz wonders what would make this man want to rob him. It is clear here that the robber doesn’t want to make any trouble but just wants the money. To the man, this is the best way for him to make some money. Like the prostitute, his situation has become so dire that robbing people is the only thing he can do.

After asking the question, the robber responds just like the prostitute:

Oh there ain’t no rest for the wicked
Money don’t grow on trees
I got bills to pay, I got mouths to feed
There ain’t nothing in this world for free
Oh no, I can’t slow down, I can’t hold back
Though you know, I wish I could
Oh no there ain’t no rest for the wicked
Until we close our eyes for good

The man has chosen the life of a robber because he has people in his life that he needs to take care of. Money doesn’t grow on trees so he has to do something to support the people he loves. Even though he wishes it didn’t have to be this way, the man has no other route to take.

The song ends with another criminal situation involving a preacher:

Well now a couple hours past and I was sitting in my house
The day was winding down and coming to an end
And so I turned on the TV and flipped it over to the news
And what I saw I almost couldn’t comprehend
I saw a preacher man in cuffs, he’d taken money from the church
He’d stuffed his bank account with righteous dollar bills
But even still I can’t say much because I know we’re all the same
Oh yes we all seek out to satisfy those thrills

Like the prostitute and the robber, the preacher has to make money too. Since he doesn’t make enough dough, he has to resort to stealing from the church. What’s compelling here, however, is when Schultz says, “But even still I can’t say much because I know we’re all the same.” According to Schultz, we all have to make money somehow and that may mean resorting to criminal means. When it comes down to it, we’re all human and have to make a living somehow. The preacher then goes on to respond with the same answer as the prostitute and robber.

So as one can see, we shouldn’t be so quick to cast judgements upon people. You never know what someone else is going through so you shouldn’t hold yourself to a higher moral standard. Just because someone is a criminal, doesn’t mean they are a bad person. In the end, we are all human trying to make sense of this world and we shouldn’t have a judgmental mindset.

See the music video here:

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders affect 18.1% of the population. This percentage amounts to 40 million people but only 36.9% of this number receive treatment. Also, those who struggle with anxiety disorders are likely to suffer from depression as well. Because the majority of people don’t receive treatment, a popular solution is to turn to substance abuse. This is what “Doses and Mimosas” by Cherub speaks of and it runs the danger of young adults to do the same.

The song opens with a man talking to his girlfriend:

Don’t get me started love
I’ve had too much to drink
Had too much time to think
So leave me alone oh oh

Here, the man is too drunk to even talk to his girlfriend. Instead of wanting to talk to her, he would rather remain alone with his thoughts. Here, it appears as though the man may be struggling with some internal issues, but we don’t know what they are yet. The sadness of these lines is contrasted with the cheery/fun beat of the song which gives the scene a strange eeriness.

Next, the man addresses his girlfriend by saying:

Cryin’ when you’re by yourself,
‘Cause of what they think
About you ooh ooh
Makes time go slow, slow, slow, yeah

The woman in this song appears to be going through some internal problems as well. From these lines, it is apparent that the woman struggles with self-confidence. She is worried all of the time about what people think of her which does her no good. It only makes time go slower and it doesn’t fix the problem. At first glance, these lines appear to be harmless. However, the man’s following solution is what makes the song dangerous.

The man offers a solution to his girlfriend by saying:

Something’s gotta give soon
Or I’m gonna lose it
Substance abuse it
And never come down, down

The man’s solution to the problem is substance abuse. It his way of escaping from the world and offering a temporary period of happiness or relief. The man never wants to come down from his high and he wants her to do the same.

The refrain of the song depicts the man’s sad state:

To all the bitch ass hoes,
That hate me the most
Oh yea I hate you too, (uh)
To all the punk ass fucks
That just wanna talk shit
I hate you too uh
To all the high class ass,
That’s too hard to pass
Oh yea I hate you too (eh)
Doses and mimosas
Champagne and cocaine
Help to get me through (uh)

Here, the man is somewhat admirable because he doesn’t care what people think of him. He’s going to do what he wants and he doesn’t care if other people judge him. He’s fine with the choices he makes but the choices he makes aren’t healthy ones. In order to deal with his problems, he turns to champagne and cocaine. Both can be dangerous by themselves, but when combined, these substances can be deadly. Instead of getting real help, the man turns to doses and mimosas to deal with his problems of most likely anxiety and depression.

The last verse of the song exemplifies the man’s state:

Ten in the mornin’
And I’m skipping breakfast
And drinking a beverage
To ignore it all huh oh
‘Cause ignorance is bliss and
I’ve come to embrace it
It’s all overrated
Except drugs and alcohol ho ho ooh

Instead of eating, the man has a drink instead. By drinking on an empty stomach, he is really able to escape his world of problems. He holds up the famous saying “ignorance is bliss” and he does so by abusing drugs and alcohol. Drugs and alcohol are at the center of his life and are the only things that make any sense to him. Without a doubt, this man needs help but the beat of the song has made it popular amongst young adults.

Anyone with a clear conscience should be able to see that this man is not going about his problems in the correct way. In the right circumstances, substances can be permissible to use. However, when they are used to escape the everyday pains of life due to anxiety and depression, there is a huge problem. This song is dangerous because it normalizes substances abuse. Young adults who may be struggling with anxiety and depression may use this song as a justification for dealing with their problems. If you are suffering from anxiety or depression, the best way to deal with it is to talk about it, not cover it up. Substance abuse is never the right answer and can result in death.

See the music video here:

As previously mentioned in the “Happy Man” post, college is a time in order to figure out what brings us happiness. This is what Kid Cudi explores in his song “Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare).” Taken in the right context, this song has the potential to bare some good fruit for the listener.

Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare) has put Cudi on the map largely due to its features Ratatat and MGMT. Combined, these artists are able to produce a melancholy beat composed of guitar, piano, and synths. The beat creates an overall tone of sadness even though the song’s purpose is to fine some sort of happiness. This contrast gives an eerie feeling to the song and emphasizes the story Cudi is revealing to his audience.

Crush a bit, little bit
Roll it up, take a hit
Feeling lit, feeling right
Two AM, summer night, I don’t care

The song begins with Cudi describing one of his typical summer nights. Here, it is clear how important smoking weed is to Cudi. It can then be interpreted that weed is part of Cudi’s search for happiness. It is an escape from the real world and a chance for Cudi to sit back and relax.

However, after these lyrics Cudi says:

Hand on the wheel
Driving drunk I’m doing my thang

When I first heard this song, I thought Cudi was condoning drunk driving. However, these lyrics must be taken in the right context. According to Cudi,

“When I’m singing about driving drunk on “Pursuit of Happiness” on MOTM, you may remember that it was a nightmare. It was meant to be scary, the craziness, the fact that this person chooses to look for happiness in substances; and that’s scary, that’s a terrible combination, that’s a terrible way to go about things.” (https://genius.com/68135)

On one hand, this is refreshing to hear because Cudi adamantly opposes drinking and driving. However, Cudi appears to be somewhat hypocritical when he shoots down people for looking for happiness in substances. Isn’t this exactly what he was doing in the opening lines? Although weed may not be has harmful as alcohol, it can’t be ignored that some people still use it as an escape.

Next, Cudi sings:

Living my life, getting our dreams
People told me slow my roll
I’m screaming out fuck that

This is a classic shades-on and haters-off type of verse. Here, Cudi seems to be confident in the person he is. However, Cudi does not realize that maybe other people have something of value to say. Even though Cudi is being open with his audience about his problems, he still appears to be pushing people away. Even though this may be true, Cudi’s optimism is apparent in the refrain of the song.

The refrain of the song is repeated seven times throughout.

I’m on the pursuit of happiness and I know
Everything that’s shine ain’t always gonna be gold (hey)
I’ll be fine once I get it, get it in, I’ll be good

First of all, Cudi recognizes that he is on a long journey which is the first step towards finding real happiness. The second line could be interpreted as Cudi realizing that all the drinking and smoking isn’t going to fill the hole in his life. Although substance use might alleviate suffering for a short amount of time, they don’t give Cudi the sustaining happiness that he is looking for. Cudi’s ache for something more is seen in the last line because once he finds what makes him happy, everything will finally be alright. The hole in his life will no longer have to be filled with constant drinking and smoking.

At first glance, this song appears to be very dark. The listener is transported into the mind of Cudi and it is not a pretty place. Taken in the right context, this song shows the battle of substance addiction. Although Cudi really likes getting drunk and high, he knows that they won’t bring him ultimate joy in life. Because Cudi is very open about his problems with his listeners, this song has the capabilities of helping someone that might be going through the same problems.

See the music video for Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare) here:

If someone were to ask you to describe what college is like, it would be hard to come up with a quick answer. It is a time to make new friends, see new places, and study what you actually want to study. Also, the social scene is completely different compared to high school and often this side of college gets glorified by rappers such as Asher Roth. In Asher Roth’s “I Love College”, the listener catches a glimpse of what the party scene is like at college and not what college is actually all about.

It is no surprise that Asher Roth is a one-hit wonder. Although “I Love College” is catchy and has a good number of listens on Spotify, it is hard to ignore that the song objectifies women. In the opening part of the song, Roth writes:

That party last night was awfully crazy
I wish we taped it
I danced my ass off and had this one girl completely naked

Here, Asher describes some party he went to the other night. It was so crazy that he wishes someone had it on film. Weird right? Snapchat wasn’t around when Roth wrote this song but filming a party seems kinda sad. Just from the opening of the song, the listener can see how Roth is struggling to close the yearbook. Also, in these lines, Roth says how he had a girl completely naked. Cool right? Here, Roth brags about a girl stripping for him most likely because she was under the influence. Sweet Asher Roth.

Following these, lines Asher continues to relive his college years.

I wanna go to college for the rest of my life
Sip bankers club and drink miller lite
On thirsty Thursday and Tuesday night ice
And I can get pizza a dollar a slice

Here, it is apparent that Asher’s college experience revolves around drinking and pizza. Instead of making the most of his college experience, Asher seems to be only focused on partying. The first line is especially disturbing because a person should never want to go to college for the rest of their life. If you make the most of your college experience, then your career will become the rest of your life, not school.

Asher’s deplorable state is also seen in the following line:

Time isn’t wasted when you’re getting wasted

Although drinking is a big part of transitioning into college, it shouldn’t become everything. Even though drinking can be a great social outlet, getting wasted most certainly isn’t the best use of time. Instead of having meaningful interactions with friends, Asher thinks blacking out is more important.

Believe it or not, the song gets worse from here. Next, Asher states:

I can’t tell you what I learned from school
But I could tell you a story or two

These lyrics are almost laughable. Instead of studying what he loved, Asher can only recall the crazy weekends he’s had. At this point in the song, it is easy to start feeling sorry for Asher. Furthermore, the fact that he can only tell a story or two most likely means he was wasted all throughout college.

Lastly, not only does this song objectify women and glorify partying, but it also encourages hazing. Towards the end of the song, Asher writes:

Chug chug chug chug chug chug chug chug

Freshman freshman freshman freshman

Do something crazy do something crazy do something crazy do something crazy

Keg-stand keg-stand keg-stand keg-stand

Hazing is no laughing matter. As seen in the news lately, many college students have died because of it. However, Asher Roth makes it appear to be a normal part of college and doesn’t see anything wrong with it. Hazing achieves what Asher perceives to be the main point of college – getting wasted.

So as one can see, this song has the potential to steer young minds in the wrong direction. Although drinking can be a part of college, the main purpose of college is studying what you love and making life-long friends during the process. Time is wasted when you’re getting wasted and objectifying women is never acceptable. This song is dangerous because it paints a false portrayal of what college is really like. Failure to recognize this could result in a line of deadly decision making.

See the music video for “I Love College” here:

There are good days and there are bad days. Sometimes things go the way we planned but most of the times they don’t. When things don’t go the way we planned, it is easy to become distraught and angry at the world. This is where Modest Mouse comes in and their song “Float On” exemplifies the remedial power of music.

The crux of Float On lies within the electric guitar that is played throughout. The famous riff is gratifying to the ear and creates a happy atmosphere through its constant repetition. Because the cheerful tune is played throughout the entirety of the song, it contrasts moments where Isaac Kristofer Brock (lead singer and songwriter) describes himself having a bad day. The stunning contrast between the lyrics and the music makes the message of the song pop which can be seen in the first stanza.

The first stanza sets up the theme for the rest of the song.

I backed my car into a cop car the other day
Well, he just drove off – sometimes life’s okay
I ran my mouth off a bit too much, ah what did I say?
Well, you just laughed it off and it was all okay

In the first line, Brock describes a situation in which he hit a cop car. This is a situation that nobody wants to be in. Hitting someone else’s car would be a bad day for anyone but hitting a cop car? That is another level of having a bad day. However, instead of fining him, the cop just takes off as if nothing happened. Unexpectantly, a potential bad day turned into a good one. In moments like this, we have to realize that life is good, and we shouldn’t take for granted a day such as Brock’s.

The second half of the first stanza also describes a potential bad situation. In these lines, Brock describes a relatable situation that he had with his friend. Sometimes when we are having a bad day, our stress builds up so much that we like to take it out on those who are closest to us. It is possible to say things we didn’t mean which ends up hurting those who we love. However, in this situation, Brock’s friend brushes the situation off as if it was nothing and forgives him. Here, another bad situation unintendedly turns into a good situation just like earlier with the cop. In life, things just find a way of working themselves out.

The second stanza of lyrics is similar to the first.

A fake Jamaican took every last dime with that scam
It was worth it just to learn some sleight of hand
Bad news comes, don’t you worry even when it lands
Good news will work it way to all them plans
We both got fired on, exactly, the same day
Well, we’ll float on, good news is on the way

In the first couple of lines, Isaac describes a situation in which he was scammed out of his money. For most people, this would be an outrage, but Brock is still able to find a silver lining. Instead of becoming angry, Brock sees it as a learning experience. Instead of wasting his emotional energy, he now knows he will never fall into such a scam again. The next couple of lines are a little bit broader. Throughout our lives, we are going to receive bad news. This could be a poor exam grade, the death of a relative, or even something such as your favorite sports team losing. Even though all of these situations can be painful to deal with, good news will eventually come your way. The poor exam grade could make you more determined to perform well in class. The death of a relative could bring you closer to your family. If your favorite sports team loses, they have the chance to come out again and win with even more fire in their bellies. Such as in the last lines, you could get fired from your job which may open up another job opportunity that you find you like even more than your last job. With this way thinking, we look at the glass have full instead of half empty.

The main stanzas of Float On are then followed by lyrics of the utmost optimism.

And we’ll all float on okay
And we’ll all float on alright

These lines are repeated throughout the song and serve as a reminder that no matter how bad things may appear to be, something good is always going to come along. No matter how bad a day you may be having, in the end everything is still going to be okay. With this mentality, it becomes easier to look at the silver lining within every situation. This is the purpose of Float On and appears as though it has achieved its purpose due to its 150,000,000 listens on Spotify. If we can live every day knowing that we will all still Float On, the world becomes a better place to enjoy the adventures of life.

See the music video for Float On here: