http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?id=1598271&vid=315983
American Idle winner David Cook's new music video "Light On". Posted on the front page of VH1. Clothing, hair style, theme, etcetera. THE MAINEST STREAM OF POP it seems - American Idle; music/TV that everyone watches.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Meaningless Analysis of Kanye West's "Good Life"
1. What is the song basically saying about how to live a good life? Paraphrase the main idea.
The main idea presented in this video as to what makes for a “good life” is definitely one of American popular culture’s influence. Kanye very clearly presents the common American perception of a well lived life – a large amount of wealth and fame, expensive things, as well as having attractive people around you. Kanye also tells us that he has his own style – implying that the good life also consists of being a unique individual (while still aiming for fame and riches).
2. What lyrics particularly speak to that perspective? Use quotes as evidence.
The messages presented to us within the lyrics of this song are of, pretty much, the common image of the “good life” according to popular culture in the United States summed up in a song. The song speaks of moving up in the world of American popular culture by becoming a superstar, (“I’ma get on this TV, mama. I’ma, I’ma put shit down”). The song tells us about going on a “living spree” involving expensive cars booze and attractive women (and their butts).
One of the verses of the song goes as follows:
Have you ever popped champagne on a plane
While gettin’ some brain?
Whipped It out, she said, “I never seen snakes on a plane”
Whether you broke or rich you gotta get biz
Havin’ money’s the everythin’ that havin’ it is
The first line is, seemingly about Kanye having champagne on a private plane whilst interchangeable woman is performing oral sex on him. In the following line, he states that if you’re either wealthy or poor you need to keep expanding your bank because, as he says, money is everything.
He also says that before he had a life that is good, he “imagined” having it – implying that those without this kind of life should wish that they had it.
3. How do the video images support, re-orient, or challenge the dominant theme of the lyrics? Analyze.
The images of the video, for the most part, portray the same ideals for what a good, meaningful life should consist of. We see Kanye around riches and sex. However, we are given new messages (possibly more subtle even as visuals). The video shows a certain style of how to dress and act. As Kanye sings, he gives off a certain type of persona that seems to be looked upon as a role model for much of today’s youth. We also see what, according to this version of a good life, a sexy woman looks like.
4. What else do you notice that's interesting? Look for internal contradictions, aspects of the message that resonate with other messages from the pop culture, points that connect to your own perspective, etc. Analyze squared.
There are probably many contradictions that can be seen in the messages that this music video portrays, but one contradiction stands out as oddly clear to me.
Yo, it’s got to be cause I’m seasoned
Haters givin’ me salty looks, Lowry's
50 told me go head and switch them style up
And if they hate then let them hate
And watch the money pile up
In this verse Kanye expresses the importance of being independent and different – yet, throughout the whole song he explains how his own life is THE good life. That the things he speaks of that make up his life and how he got there, are indeed the things that make up a meaningful life. This is a contradiction because if what he says is simply what makes a good life, than it would be impossible for people to be truly independent while striving for the this kind of life. The goals would be too linear.
The main idea presented in this video as to what makes for a “good life” is definitely one of American popular culture’s influence. Kanye very clearly presents the common American perception of a well lived life – a large amount of wealth and fame, expensive things, as well as having attractive people around you. Kanye also tells us that he has his own style – implying that the good life also consists of being a unique individual (while still aiming for fame and riches).
2. What lyrics particularly speak to that perspective? Use quotes as evidence.
The messages presented to us within the lyrics of this song are of, pretty much, the common image of the “good life” according to popular culture in the United States summed up in a song. The song speaks of moving up in the world of American popular culture by becoming a superstar, (“I’ma get on this TV, mama. I’ma, I’ma put shit down”). The song tells us about going on a “living spree” involving expensive cars booze and attractive women (and their butts).
One of the verses of the song goes as follows:
Have you ever popped champagne on a plane
While gettin’ some brain?
Whipped It out, she said, “I never seen snakes on a plane”
Whether you broke or rich you gotta get biz
Havin’ money’s the everythin’ that havin’ it is
The first line is, seemingly about Kanye having champagne on a private plane whilst interchangeable woman is performing oral sex on him. In the following line, he states that if you’re either wealthy or poor you need to keep expanding your bank because, as he says, money is everything.
He also says that before he had a life that is good, he “imagined” having it – implying that those without this kind of life should wish that they had it.
3. How do the video images support, re-orient, or challenge the dominant theme of the lyrics? Analyze.
The images of the video, for the most part, portray the same ideals for what a good, meaningful life should consist of. We see Kanye around riches and sex. However, we are given new messages (possibly more subtle even as visuals). The video shows a certain style of how to dress and act. As Kanye sings, he gives off a certain type of persona that seems to be looked upon as a role model for much of today’s youth. We also see what, according to this version of a good life, a sexy woman looks like.
4. What else do you notice that's interesting? Look for internal contradictions, aspects of the message that resonate with other messages from the pop culture, points that connect to your own perspective, etc. Analyze squared.
There are probably many contradictions that can be seen in the messages that this music video portrays, but one contradiction stands out as oddly clear to me.
Yo, it’s got to be cause I’m seasoned
Haters givin’ me salty looks, Lowry's
50 told me go head and switch them style up
And if they hate then let them hate
And watch the money pile up
In this verse Kanye expresses the importance of being independent and different – yet, throughout the whole song he explains how his own life is THE good life. That the things he speaks of that make up his life and how he got there, are indeed the things that make up a meaningful life. This is a contradiction because if what he says is simply what makes a good life, than it would be impossible for people to be truly independent while striving for the this kind of life. The goals would be too linear.
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