rinarecords-blog

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Intro

For centuries, humans have made music, usually based on events in their lifetime. For example, those enslaved many years ago would sing about their sorrows and experiences, creating stories to be passed through oral tradition. Why would slaves do this? To not only use their art as an escape from the brutal reality they faced, but to impact others in the same situation, to relate and provide comfort for those in a similar position. And that is what music does: it speaks to the souls of others through its meaning. 

This project is meant to show the impact music has. Now impact, being the theme, applies to many things. An event in ones lifetime can impact them to make art regarding this said event. That artist’s work can impact those who witness it, and can relate. The witness can be impacted enough to make their own art, thus continuing the cycle impact has on society. To show the affects of impact, I will cover specific songs- discussing why they were made and for whom- then create my own, and discuss what impacted me and why. My audience is for those who listen to music to find a meaning, to find a connection, and a relationship between them and what they listen to.

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Experience/ Process

Originally, I planned to only make covers, and analyze their history and meaning. Over time, I figured I needed to buy a mic and do recording in my own home. I had no experience at all with garage band, but thought Junior Workshop would be my chance to do so. So, with no experience, I purchased a Blue Snowball mic, hooked it to the laptop I begged my father for this project, and opened garage band. 

I was nervous, I was insecure. At first I only recorded Chain Gang, expecting only to do covers. I wanted to write my own material, but had no confidence, and only fear of doing so. It was until, for Spring Break, I went to New Orleans and witnessed the magic; live music on every corner, those with no money still burning through their misfortune with their passion. It gave me inspiration; I thought to myself, “these people are pouring their hearts out doing what they love...” And so, in addition to my covers, I wrote Robin, recorded the drumming on one layer in garage band, then my voice in the other. I was excited, I gained a confidence that couldn’t be broken by a negative response. 

Working with garage band itself, at first, was a challenge. It was a blank slate that overwhelmed me. Like I mentioned before, I was insecure and didn’t know whether my product would be a good one. I recorded multiple drafts, some deleted that had to be re-recorded over and over again until I was satisfied. Sure, though tedious, I enjoyed getting to know the program and my potential as time went on. 

With the help of Victor, I was introduced to new equipment. Victor showed me new microphones: one small, compact, and portable; a Blue mic used for professional recorded. He showed me, and allowed me to tinker with an audio interface, which connects your mic to your computer and adjusts sounds and effects- really cool. 

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Lyrics

I hear somethin' sayin'That's the sound of the men working on the chain ga-a-ang That's the sound of the men working on the chain gangAll day long they're singin' (Hooh aah) (hooh aah) (Hooh aah) (hooh aah)That's the sound of the men working on the chain ga-a-ang That's the sound of the men working on the chain gangAll day long they work so hard Till the sun is goin' down Working on the highways and byways And wearing, wearing a frown You hear them moanin' their lives away Then you hear somebody sa-ayThat's the sound of the men working on the chain ga-a-ang That's the sound of the men working on the chain gangCan't ya hear them singin' Mm, I'm goin' home one of these days I'm goin' home see my woman Whom I love so dear But meanwhile I got to work right he-ereThat's the sound of the men working on the chain ga-a-ang That's the sound of the men working on the chain gangAll day long they're singin', mm My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my work is so hard Give me water, I'm thirstyMy, my work is so hard Oh my, my, my, my, my, my work is so hard

Description

“Chain Gang”, originally by Same Cooke, was written after Cooke was on tour and witnessed an actual chain gang while on a highway. Apparently Cooke and his brother gave the men cartons of cigarettes, due to them feeling sorry for the men. Cooke was known to use the world around him as influence, for he claims it helps the understanding of a young man to mature.

Cooke was loved by millions for his music, for celebrities remark on his work and marvel. He impacted fans, who would go to church on Sundays, just to see his performances there. Celebrities saw his work as soulful, and inspiring. 

“Chain Gang” tells the story of men chained together, working tirelessly on a highway. These men suffering through the day, with no other choice but to work, faced not only physical pain of weariness, but an emotional pain as well. These men missed their wives, and could not return to them due to their sentence. The men are sad, lonely, and tired.

Speaking historically, chain gangs were developed in the 1900s. Leasing to convicts was a grand issue, and something bank owners did not want to do. So, prisoners were chained together and ordered to build their own homes, eventually working on more projects such as building highways, working on farms, and digging. In the south, establishing chain gangs was meant to be a reform, but the system ended up being a worse punishment for convicts than jail time in a cell. Supervision was lacking on these men, for they were rarely given any water or nourishment.

Now many people may find it, to a degree, annoying for someone who is not African American to talk about these kinds of issues, since chain gangs were slaves, and others may not have faced the same type of oppression they have. Well, being a young, privileged, Puerto Rican person, I personally may not be able to relate to the same oppressions as young African American’s, but I have been discriminated against due to my racial identity, and my Taino ancestors have been enslaved under Spanish rule. As a child, I couldn’t go a day without hearing about what my ancestors went through from my grandparents, who told me our Taino people were pillaged, raped, slaves for sugar cane plantations, etc. Though it may seem unfair of me to pull this card, as they say, but I have reason to sing this song. I have reason to relate. When I first heard Chain Gang by Sam Cooke at the innocent age of 5, my grandmother explained what the song meant, and what these prisoners suffered through. She would then remind me the suffering of our people. In a somber way, I felt connected to these prisoners. As a younger child, I clung to the idea that these men were like me in a way. Or at least, thats what my grandmother helped me to believe.

Though “Chain Gang” is heard as a campy, upbeat song, and was a hit among the states, the lyrics reveal the true grief these men faced, and bring to light the issues in America at the time. The importance of forced labor is brought to attention, these men working as slaves in a time well after its abolishment. The song can show everyone just how painful a prisoners life can be, and this pain shows why the system should be abolished as well. 

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This was my first attempt at recording Chain Gang via garage band. I was nervous, but it was fun to experiment. This recording, actually, was my first time EVER using garage band on my own, and this was the result. Victor asked to give it my best, and here it is, my Chain Gang draft. It started with Victor saying: “Recording is as simple as pulling out your phone and hitting record.” So I did, and moved onto recording this draft on garage band. By just listening to both recordings of Chain Gang, you can hear the differences in demeanor, and experience within a matter of a few days.

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Lyrics

Robin

Through the sycamore trees you fly

Unknowing what the world has in store for you

Robin

Cause Mama ain't’ there to guide you

And Papa flew away a long time ago

And though the dangers have yet to show

Your little wings will take you anywhere you need to go

Robin

A nose dive into the eye of the storm

Forced to fly mere moments after you’re born

After Mama told you livin’ ain't’ easy

To take what you can cause the world is greedy

So little Robin grew and learned to be needy

He didn’t know to get you got to give

So Robin chose exactly how he would live

Preyin’ on the weak, from them he’s stolen

Innocence, virginity; they’re broken

Robin’s heart is brass, but it once was golden

Robin

Do your burdens weigh you down when you fly?

Robin

Have you thought to reflect on your crimes?

Robin

Will you come down from your throne to apologize?

Robin

Through the violent breeze you soar

Expecting all to give you what you desire

Robin

Cause nobody was there to provide for you

When you were left starvin’ long time ago

Despite the hardships that you face

You’ve thrown your good away and become a disgrace

Description

Writing Robin was a very big shift for me in many ways. Going to New Orleans made me want to write music; being immersed by live music inspired me and made me want to fly. I thought of this soaring feeling, and tried to make a story with it, thinking of birds and analogies, that you can see are flooded throughout the song.

The story consists of a figure, represented by the robin. Birds, in reality, are usually raised by their families until they learn to fly away from them. This can be seen in a human, more relatable, way too.The song shows the relationship of a young robin who had no real parental influence, and was seemingly forced out of his home. Having no real positive, nurturing influence, the robin got older and turned to crime, not knowing a more civil way to acquire his necessities. This lack of guidance and care has hardened the robin, yet since he has no knowledge of a different kind of living, he sees no fault in his ways. Instead of using his negative experiences to grow/realize the flaws in his upbringing, the robin lives a life of crime, and greed.

Though this particular scenario isn’t my life, it is someone else’s, someone I know personally. From a window, I have viewed this life of abandonment, and feel it is something that should be recognized. The topic/ lifestyle has impacted me to write a song about it. I feel that these kinds of upbringings are overlooked, not paid attention too in media, and are just not spoken about within communities. Many people who have suffered in this way do not express their grief, usually to hide this pain and seem normal. In media, the only background given on a criminal is their record, not what brought them to a life of crime. This song is to represent what may have happened to someone, a lack of guidance or love, that can turn someone to wrongdoing. This song can impact those who have gone through similar experiences to not be like this robin. 

When I played the song for my mother, activist, and performing artist, I asked her what impacted her specifically.

 “How the robin turned from good to bad, almost like a pleading song, almost wanting to fly straight again and be a good robin. I liked the incorporation of the bird sounds in the opening and closing. And how this robin could be anyone, like a person, like a human experience, but you still picture them with wings... somehow. It’s very poetic... nothing repeats itself.”

I wanted to convey this, that this experience is human, that it could happen to anyone. I’m glad that the song came across the way I intended. 

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Lyrics

Ooh Did you see the frightened ones? Did you hear the falling bombs? Did you ever wonder why we had to run for shelter when the Promise of a brave new world unfurled beneath a clear blue Sky?

Ooh Did you see the frightened ones? Did you hear the falling bombs? The flames are all long gone, but the pain lingers on

Goodbye, blue sky Goodbye, blue sky Goodbye Goodbye

Description

“Goodbye Blue Sky”, originally by Pink Floyd, was written based off The Blitz. The Blitz refers to the bombs and air raids that took place over London during World War II. 

Pink Floyd portrays a character named Pink, being a mix of the lives of Syd Barrett, and Roger Waters, who’s father died fighting in the Second World War. The Wall album itself is from the perspective of Pink, growing up fatherless, just as Roger Waters did. Pink deals with hardships from many including his school teacher, who doubted Pink could make music, from his over-protective mother who acted as an anchor, and from his ex-wife who left after countless years of his cheating. Through these experiences, Pink isolated himself, creating a metaphorical wall around himself, hence the album title, The Wall. 

“Goodbye Blue Sky” itself deals with the fear people faced during the bombings over London during WWII. Pedestrians running for shelter from bombs, despite being promised by dictators a new world is underway; empty promises given to people who run in fear. After the bombings, the pain still lingers within these people who’s homes are destroyed, and who no longer believe in the change promised by their dictator. 

Roger Waters used his childhood experience to write this album, as mentioned before, his father was killed fighting in WWII. Using the war to describe the destruction of his life, and furthering it through his experiences with people along the way shows just how his life, and history impacts Roger’s art. 

Pink Floyd is an extremely well known band, The Wall selling about 11.5 million copies in the US. They are known to be one of the greatest psychedelic rock bands in history, and The Wall specifically speaks to many, for it deals with real world events that anyone can relate to: war, loss, abandonment, and isolation. Personally, I have not lost a family member to war. But, that doesn’t mean I wasn’t inspired, for I gained a new perspective of how people lived, and thought of the world around them throughout World War II. 

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This version of Goodbye Blue Sky was recorded with Victor’s portable mic. He recommended I use it to get a taste of some better quality equipment. I liked using it, and there is a difference in quality that I enjoy. 

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This was used with Victor’s Blue mic, used for professional recording. Though it is a short recording, the fact is that Victor was allowing me to experiment with more professional equipment, moving onward into the future, and to consider using then. The mic was connected to Victor’s audio interface, showing me just how REAL recording felt, if that makes sense. It’s a different experience than with recording at home with a $50 mic. To use different things to make a similar product just shows the potential equipment really has, and how it effects a product.

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Sources

“As a singer grows older, his conception grows a little deeper because he lives life and he understands what he’s trying to say a little more... If a singer tries to find out what’s happening in life, it gives him a better insight on telling the story he’s trying to sing.”

-Sam Cooke, Audio Montergu Interview, 1962

“I haven’t made a song that wasn’t a hit... I think the secret is observation. If you observe what’s going on, and try to figure out how people are thinking, and determine the times of your day, I think you can always write something people will understand.”

-Sam Cooke, American Bandstand, April 4, 1964

Biography of Sam Cooke, Sam Cooke: Legend, 2003

"Then they went on to become the biggest of all the stadium rock bands and they happen to have this misunderstood genius in their ranks, to then went on to become this iconic legend."

-Documentary Behind The Wall

The Wall, Pink Floyd, 1979, 17.6 Million copies sold

-Borrelli, Christopher (September 22, 2010). "How The Wall gets built in the first place" Chicago Tribune.