unmutex

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Hi everyone! Welcome to Unmute :)

It’s been a while since my last series, where I analyzed a couple of songs and deconstructed their meanings. I wanted to step out of music as the main topic of this blog and discuss other topics that we tend to pay no attention to. 

In this podcast, I will discuss consumption and hopefully open your minds to other aspects of it. So, tune in and explore consumption with me!

Readings:

Clarke, D. (2003). Introduction to part five (Theory). In Consumption reader (pp. 219-226). Retrieved from https://ap01.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/view/delivery/61CUR_INST/12181858712181858

Fairchild, C. (2008). Mediating and manufacturing the investment in desire. In Pop idols and pirates: Mechanisms of consumption and the global circulation of popular music (pp. 75-91). Retrieved from https://ap01.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/view/delivery/61CUR_INST/12181857690001951

Huber, F., Eisele, A., and Meyer, F. (2018). The role of actual, ideal, and ought self-congruence in the consumption of hedonic versus utilitarian brands. Psychology & Marketing, 35(1), 47-63. https://doi-org.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/10.1002/mar.21070

Jarrett, K. (2006). The perfect community: Disciplining the eBay user. In Hills, K. (Ed.), Everyday eBay: Culture, collecting, and desire (pp. 107-121). Retrieved from https://ap01.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/view/delivery/61CUR_INST/12181858812181858

Lam-Knott, S. (2019). Contesting brandscapes in Hong Kong: Exploring youth activist experiences of contemporary consumerist landscape. Urban Studies, 57(5), 927-943. https://doi-org.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/10.1177%2F0042098019829413

McGibbon, J. (2006). Teppich-swingers and skibums: Differential experiences of ski tourism in the Tirolean Alps. In Meetha, K (Ed.), Tourism consumption and representation: Narratives of place and self (pp. 140-157). Retrieved from https://ap01.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/view/delivery/61CUR_INST/12181858490001951

Twitchell, J. (1999). Introduction. In Leed us into temptation: The triumph of American Materialism (pp. 1-15). Retrieved from https://ap01.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/view/delivery/61CUR_INST/12181858170001121

Background Audio:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEXL80LS0-I

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Forget the vinyl revival. The cassette tape will be back on Christmas lists this year as high-profile artists ranging from Coldplay to Robbie Williams and Liam Payne release albums on a format that has come back from the dead.

Zoe Wood, The Guardian

Back in the loop: why cassette tapes became fashionable again

The Guardian advices us to expect cassette tapes in many Christmas lists this year, since cassette tapes are becoming popular again. The article mentioned that the number of buyers, who are mostly under the age of 25, has doubled since 2018.

It has been years since the cassette tape industry received such a demand since 2004. This trend was influenced by various artists such as the Jonas Brothers, Madonna – and the most impactful among the artists, Billie Eilish. Despite this trend’s huge influence towards the youth, the different streaming services like Spotify are still leading in the market of the music industry.

While growing up, I’ve always dreamt of having a vinyl collection. I find that there’s a different level of satisfaction whenever I would have a physical copy of anything – books, music and photos. Now, that cassette tapes are trending again, I might reconsider and start collecting them instead since they are cheaper than vinyl records.

Aside from the musicians I mentioned, one of my favorite bands, the 1975 have also started selling cassette tapes made out of recycled plastic. As a passionate fan of the band, it’s most likely that I would jump into the trend and buy one of their cassette tapes. If every music lover had the same mindset as me, then they would definitely jump into the trend.

With the revival of cassette tapes, I can imagine that more people would know the meaning of the songs that they listen. With the use of cassette tapes, people would be keener in choosing the music they listen to – or they could just go back to listening through streaming services.

Regardless, I believe that cassette tapes can help people value music more. It could train people to be intensive and active listeners. As I mentioned, having a physical copy of something adds on to its sentiment. It would matter more to you, so you would be more careful with it.

Even though we have such great technology in our hands, society always manages to bounce back to old trends and there’s definitely a good reason behind it.

So why don’t you buy a cassette tape and see for yourself?

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TELL ME

ORIGINAL

I’ve written a number of songs, but only a few of them are finished. 

I think it’s because I’m used to writing poetry more. I only became interested in composing when I was in my tenth grade, since I had taught myself how to play the guitar at that time.

As a singer, I found it easy to transition from poetry to song composition, but I found that I was unable to express myself as much as I could through poetry.

It’ll take time.

Unlike some of my favorite musicians like Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole, most of my songs are about love.

For example, Tell Me is a love song about a girl who no longer takes relationships seriously, until a particular person came.

It’s cliché, but I think that’s because it happens a lot in reality. 

Here are the lyrics:

[Verse 1] People always ask for my number But when I talk they freeze and quiver But not with you, you’re a different case I admit it scares me, it makes my heart race And that is why I find I’m under Under your spell with the way you whisper Yes it’s you, my heart seems to scream But I know it all, it’s not what it seems

In the first verse, I talk about a girl that is used to the attention, as well as the bitterness that comes with it.  In this scenario, she is a woman that is head-strong and opinionated which often times drive away the men that admire her.

So, when a particular person doesn’t feel insecure in her company, she is caught off-guard. She finds herself overthinking things and unable to process what is really happening.

In the chorus, I sing:

[Chorus] So, go on and tell me Why are you here? I don’t know, I wanna disappear But sometimes, when you talk And how you sing and laugh I could get a heart attack So, tell me darling Why are you here?

As I mentioned, she is unable to process what’s going on. She wants him to explain his intentions, in order for her to calm down. 

Although people may wonder, what happened to the head-strong person in the first verse? Well, there’s always that saying that smart people have a hard time when it comes to romance. 

The woman in the story has loved before, but it was unsuccessful which lead her to fear uncertainty. More of the woman’s story is revealed in the second verse, but I’d like to keep that a secret for now.

Once I’ve recorded the full song, I’ll write another analysis.

I hope today’s review gave you some kind of connection with me, after all a piece of art is always a part of the artist. 

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MY PICK

What was the first thing that came to mind when you saw Billie Eilish’s music video for All the Good Girls Go to Hell? 

If you haven’t seen it, best you do first.

On the release of the song, a lot of religious people were outraged, so they stirred up drama on Twitter. 

Some people had commented on how distasteful the music video and the lyrics were. Some were mocking the youth and remarked on how the youth do not fear God. 

As a Christian, I felt puzzled. What was so disturbing about this song, that fellow believers despised it so much? Despite the fact that I had little interest on Billie Eilish’s music, I decided to listen to this controversial song of hers.

While I was watching the music video and listening to the lyrics, I thought that it was such a bold choice of words. 

In fact, I believe that it was a clever way to catch attention. It may have caused some outrage, but as I’ve observed amongst the people who replied to those tweets, the message was well-received. 

So, what does the song really mean? 

[Verse 2] Look at you needing me You know I'm not your friend without some greenery Walk in wearin' fetters Peter should know better Your cover up is caving in Man is such a fool, why are we saving him? Poisoning themselves now Begging for our help, wow

I find that most of the important message are in the second verse, where Billie sings in Mother Nature’s perspective.

She sings about Mother Nature’s demise and despite that humanity caused it, they are turning to her for help.

As seen in the beginning of the music video, Billie falls into a pit of tar. It’s not some kind of metaphor that personifies her downfall, but it is actually a reference of how bad the environment has become. 

Going back with the second verse, Billie sings about how the environment is imprisoned by humanity. 

That it is wearing fetters and is limited to do anything.

The so called fetters in the lyrics represent the various human activities that harm the environment, such as deforestation which reduces the resources in our environment and increases the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere which poisons us.

We have done so much to harm and destroy the environment and now that we’re out of control, what do we do? 

[Pre-Chorus] Hills burn in California My turn to ignore ya Don't say I didn't warn ya [Chorus] All the good girls go to Hell 'Cause even God herself has enemies And once the water starts to rise And Heaven's out of sight She'll want the Devil on her team

To those people who criticized this song because of the line “My Lucifer is lonely”, you are missing out on an important message.

The pre-chorus is pretty straightforward. The environment has shown so many signs of climate change, yet we did not do anything to resolve it.

In the chorus, humanity is considered as the good girls. Why? As I have said, we may have not done anything as large as deforestation, but we have all been idle and chose to believe that we are good, while unknowingly poisoning the planet. 

I believe that the metaphor connects well with the controversial line, since with the downfall of our planet, we will also suffer - in a way Earth would become like hell, so we would be accompanying Lucifer. 

That’s one way to see it! 

Towards the end of the chorus, Billie sings how when the water has risen, God would want the Devil on her team.  This is because God had created the world, yet humanity has destroyed it, despite being its appointed stewards. So, with wrath, God would want the Devil’s help in punishing humanity.

As I said, it is quite a bold and clever way of giving a wake up call. 

I hope the people who once criticized the song would give it another listen and realize the warning that it holds in its lyrics.

Now that you’ve received the warning, what will you do?

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RECOMMENDATIONS

How often do you listen to music that people recommend you?

I normally listen to all of them, unless if that’s all they send me. It’s almost like, please talk to me.

The song I’m analyzing today was recommended by a fellow musician @ismarkornot. I once tweeted a line from one of Kendrick Lamar’s songs, which he responded to with the next line. 

I was intrigued, so I asked what else he listened to. He recommended a lot of artists, which I had already known. Saba, the man in the photo, was the one that stood out. It was the first time I heard of him, so I asked Mark why he enjoyed his music.

Mark:  Saba’s last album “Care for Me” tackles a lot of topics ranging from depression, survivor’s guilt from the death of his cousin, the toxicity of social media and other stuff. 

It’s my favorite album of 2018.

I then asked him what his favorite song from the album was.

Mark: His album has so many amazing songs, I can’t choose.  It’ll probably be Busy/Sirens.

Life is good too though!

I can’t choose.

After listening to most of the album, unlike Mark, I was able to pinpoint my favorite song, which was Life.

You will know why, after this analysis. 

[Verse 1] I got angels runnin' 'way, I got demons huntin' me I know 'Pac was 25, I know Jesus 33 I tell Death to keep a distance, I think he obsessed with me I say, "God, that's a woman," I know she would die for me They want a barcode on my wrist (barcode on my wrist) To auction off the kids That don't fit their description of a utopia (black) Like a problem won't exist if I just don't exist If I grew up without a single pot to piss in Pardon me for ventin' Congress got the nerve to call theyself religious Rich just gettin' richer, we just tryna live our life

In the first few lines, Saba talks about his fear of death. To be specific, he was afraid of dying young. 

One would wonder why. Why should a successful artist fear death at such a young age? The answer was simple.

Racism.

Saba sings of his experiences while growing up. He sings about how African Americans are often unwanted in the society he grew up in, just because his skin color was different.

He talks about the injustice in the government. 

Of how the conservative people had always used religion against his community, even when they are not provided with the same support.

Most people would say that this is only relevant during the 1950s, sadly, it is still relevant today.

If it wasn’t why would there be a need for the Black Lives Matter movement? 

If it wasn’t why would the African American community feel afraid of the police that’s supposed to be serving all American citizens?

Let’s continue with the chorus.

[Chorus] Momma mixed the vodka with the Sprite They killed my cousin with a pocket knife While my uncle on the phone He was gone for more than half my life He got out a year and then he died I was honor roll, talking to my father on the phone Left the city when I was just four None of them will get along Momma beggin' him for winter coats I was chillin' with my ni**a Spook now they tryna take his—

In the chorus, he sings about his experiences growing up, which justifies his fear of dying young.

His lyrics are clear and direct. One does not require a high IQ in order to understand the message that he sings. 

It’s these kind of songs that always attract my attention.

As part of the youth, I bare responsibility of the future too. Which is why, it is important to be well-informed of what is going on. 

It is important for us, the youth, to understand the injustices in the world today. This song only talks about one, among the many others. 

Instead of being idle, the youth should take a step, especially now with one of the greatest tools - social media. 

I’ll leave you to listen to the rest of the song and allow the lyrics to sink in. 

Not everyone is as privileged as we are, so I hope this song inspires you to take a stand in your own way.

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FROM THE CHARTS

Do you normally check the charts if you want to listen to new music? I used to watch an MTV channel and find new music there. 

Today’s entry is from Billboard’s Top 100 Songs chart during the week of September 28, 2019 - Circles by Post Malone. 

I actually first heard this song in a house party and at that time I found that it didn’t match the atmosphere.

Regardless, it is a good song. I would most probably listen to it during my commute or when I’m creating artworks.  But what is the best time to listen to it? I think it’s when you’re in your feelings. 

It’s when those 12am thoughts arrive, it’s a song that fits the mood for it.

So, what does the song talk about? Let’s have a look at the first verse:

[Verse 1] We couldn’t turn around ‘til we were upside down I’ll be the bad guy now, but know I ain’t too proud I couldn’t be there, even when I tried You don’t believe it, we do this every time

In the first verse, Post Malone talks about a relationship that’s at the verge of breaking.

The first line shows how long they’ve been trying to patch things up, but are still unable to. He continues in the second line that he’ll take the blame instead, despite how he’s already tried his best.

He then ends the first verse by showing the mistrust in the relationship, where Post Malone’s partner does not believe that he is making an effort to restore it.

Now a days, many relationships are unsuccessful due to the lack of trust and through the blame game.

I think that since people go into relationships at such an early age, they often don’t know how to function in one.

They would either take it too lightly or too seriously that it becomes toxic in a way. 

When people go into relationships without any experience or even a clear understanding of themselves, they are bound to hurt their partner and may not put on effort in making the relationship work.

Let’s continue with the chorus.

[Chorus] Seasons change and our love went cold Feed the flame ‘cause we can’t let go Run away, but we’re running in circles Run away, run away I dare you to do something I’m waiting on you again, so I don’t take the blame Run away, but we’re running in circles Run away, run away, run away

In the chorus, Post Malone talks about how they’ve been avoiding some issues within their relationship. Although, they may have a number of unresolved issues, they still want to be together, which is why he asks his partner to put in effort as well.

It’s clear to him, that they’re not going anywhere without fixing their problems, which he emphasizes on by repeating the line “run away, but we’re running in circles”, perhaps in hopes that they will finally sit down and fix things. 

Since, we’re only looking at Post Malone’s point of view, it may seem that his partner is at fault. 

This often happens in various relationships, where people get stuck in their own head, that they’re unable to sympathize to anyone.

That’s normally the problem.

People don’t communicate anymore, especially when it’s most needed. In fact, communication is a fundamental aspect in almost everything. For a couple that does not communicate, they end up sweeping things under the rug and as what Post Malone talks about in his song it’s only going to hurt the both of them.

This song is definitely not fit for a party, right? It does help you realize things though, so I hope you listen to more and figure out the rest of the lyrics.

When you’re up at night, thinking about someone, maybe you should listen to this song.

Sometimes, you need to hear something, for you to be able to wake up.

I hope you learned something from my analysis.  People don’t normally think deeply when it comes to the lyrics of a catchy song. Sometimes, you have to. 

Some songs are filled with messages that will help you, so tune in for more!

Who knows, I might give more advice on love life that I’ve picked up from songs.

I hope you enjoyed!

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My Content

Throughout the years, music has evolved to fit the taste of each generation. Although some people believe that music nowadays is often meaningless, I believe that it is only a matter of knowing where to look.

If you read about the music during the Cold War from 1956 to 1978, there was a rise in popularity for jazz music. Most of these songs are only instrumentals, so one could not really say that they have any meaning or purpose other than to entertain. I believe the same concept is also applied in today’s electronic dance music.

In Unmute, I will be looking at different types of songs, from different genres, and examine the meaning behind their lyrics. I will be posting four types of content:

From the Charts – content that will be include my reviews of songs that are from the Top 100 Songs chart of Billboard.

Recommendations – songs recommended by my peers, which I will analyze based off their opinions

My Pick – songs that I either consider a part of my favorites or simply find interest in

Originals – my own compositions, which help me understand what goes on in a musician or lyricist’s head

Through these four types of content, I will be able to explore more types of song analysis, and keep my content unique and interesting.

With the first three types: From the Charts, Recommendations and My Pick, I would be able to focus on fulfilling the blog’s main purpose which is to analyze song lyrics and discuss other opinions as well.

As for the fourth type, although it may seem like a filler for my blog, I find that it is necessary to connect with my audience through my own work. This way I can also prove my deeper understanding when it comes to music, since I am aware of the process that goes behind it too.

Since I will be reviewing songs from the Billboard Top 100 Songs chart and songs that my peers recommended, I will have to listen some music that I may not enjoy, which may become an obstacle when it comes to writing about it too.

It may seem like a bad thing at the start, but this will allow me to listen to the music my audience are listening to and perhaps become closer to them in a way. They probably don’t listen to the music I listen to, which may completely defeat the purpose of my blog, so to be more open minded on the song selection is going to be beneficial for Unmute.

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Why Music?

As a child, I was surrounded with talented people. Music would often fill the morning silence of our household and I would wake up to my grandmother singing along to her favorite tunes. 

I believe that her singing had inspired most of us in the family, even to this day, years after she has passed. I was blessed with a wonderful family, who always supported my wildest dreams - whether it was to become an astronaut, a pop star, or a doctor. They always encouraged me to do whatever I was passionate about. This is why I have chosen to live for the arts.

I felt extremely passionate for the arts, ever since I could talk. My mother had told me that I would cry if they had not joined me in dance, or if they would not listen to my singing when I was two. 

By the age of seven, I started keeping my own diary and started practicing my writing skills. With all this support, I was able to explore my other talents, such as singing, composing, writing, photography, designing, and filming. However, since I am now in university, I find it hard to practice these talents, which is why I have grown more closer to writing and music.

Through university work, I find myself indulging in music more than I used to, wherein I had started looking at songs in a different perspective. This sudden deeper interest in the meaning of song lyrics began when I started listening to rap or hip hop. This is considered as intensive listening. 

Through intensive listening, I was able to discover that Kendrick Lamar makes use of his music to spread awareness on certain political and social issues, as well as to empower the African-American community. Upon realizing this, I started to care more about the lyrics of the songs that I listen to.

I realized that there are multiple artists who make use of their art to voice out controversies and opinions, which also encourages freedom of speech amongst their listeners. 

This realization has then helped me regain my drive to inspire other people. In a way, I want my fellow teenagers to look at their favorite songs differently and start listening intensively to certain music. 

I want to be able to help them realize the political and social movement within the songs that they listen to, and potentially inspire them to act on these issues. Although, not all songs will contain such content, I believe that it is important to discuss these and spread awareness.