Music
100 years by Five for Fighting
This song, 100 Years, goes through all the different stages of life. It shows how your life changes within each year. We learn that each different period brings new challenges and new joys. When we only have, in theory, 100 years to live, what do we do with it? How do we make the best of our time here? We learn to live life to the fullest and enjoy every second. The line, “15 there’s still time for you,” really strikes and intrigues us. We are currently 15 and 16. It makes us think about our life and how there is still time for us to make a difference and change the world. Before we know it, “half the time goes by, suddenly your wise, another blink of an eye, 67 is gone, the sun is getting high, we’re moving on.” With every day of our lives we can choose to make a difference and choose to leave our own Legacy, because life matters and time moves quickly when you only have 100 years to live.
In My Life By The Beatles
There are places I remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends
I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all
This verse of the song I find very meaningful. I interpret it that we all meet different people and go to different places all throughout our lives. Every single place or event or person or moment impacts your life. There are some things you just never forget because they have influenced your life so greatly. Even though the places may have altered physically, the memories and the friendships forever remain unchanged.
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends
I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all
This verse of the song I find very meaningful. I interpret it that we all meet different people and go to different places all throughout our lives. Every single place or event or person or moment impacts your life. There are some things you just never forget because they have influenced your life so greatly. Even though the places may have altered physically, the memories and the friendships forever remain unchanged.
War Sweater by Wakey!Wakey!
You wear your religion like a war sweater.
You ask for the truth, but you know you can do so much better,
and you sat on your fences, and you scream no retreat...
So what will your legacy be?
What will your legacy be?
So what will your legacy be?
I'm in the mood where I come all untied,
I'm in the mood to say s**t that'll change people's minds...
I love you. I swear it I would never lie
But I fear for our lives and I fear your closed eyes...
The chorus and the bridge of the song really relate to our topic of Legacy. In the chorus, the singer is basically teaching the person who the song is about, his opinions on life and religion. I interpret it as him telling us how we think our beliefs and, in turn, our religion will save us and protect us and teach us the truth about life. But the singer is saying how you can’t wait any longer for enlightenment. He sings that he is worried about how naïve this person is about the real world. He asking us, “What will you be remembered for.” You can’t just sit there and wait, you have to go out and learn for yourself and live your own life. The singer talks about his Legacy. He wants to teach people things and say something to make a difference and change your views on the world.
You ask for the truth, but you know you can do so much better,
and you sat on your fences, and you scream no retreat...
So what will your legacy be?
What will your legacy be?
So what will your legacy be?
I'm in the mood where I come all untied,
I'm in the mood to say s**t that'll change people's minds...
I love you. I swear it I would never lie
But I fear for our lives and I fear your closed eyes...
The chorus and the bridge of the song really relate to our topic of Legacy. In the chorus, the singer is basically teaching the person who the song is about, his opinions on life and religion. I interpret it as him telling us how we think our beliefs and, in turn, our religion will save us and protect us and teach us the truth about life. But the singer is saying how you can’t wait any longer for enlightenment. He sings that he is worried about how naïve this person is about the real world. He asking us, “What will you be remembered for.” You can’t just sit there and wait, you have to go out and learn for yourself and live your own life. The singer talks about his Legacy. He wants to teach people things and say something to make a difference and change your views on the world.
Legacy by Nichole Nordeman
I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world
I want to leave a legacy How will they remember me? Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough To make a mark on things? I want to leave an offering A child of mercy and grace who blessed your name unapologetically And leave that kind of legacy
This song descries the type of Legacy Nichole Nordeman wants to leave behind. She explains how everyone likes receiving awards and hearing compliments and getting attention. But, the singer believes that there is more to life then just the temporary things like an encouragement or a metal. Nichole wants to leave a Legacy that people will remember her by forever. She wants to make a difference. She wants to make sure that she has expressed her love to the greatest potential. She wants to make sure her actions have impacted others. Nichole believes that the point of life is more than just temporary, material things, she believes in love and compassion. And with this, she teaches people a way to live their life full of love, kindness, hope, and inspiration.
I want to leave a legacy How will they remember me? Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough To make a mark on things? I want to leave an offering A child of mercy and grace who blessed your name unapologetically And leave that kind of legacy
This song descries the type of Legacy Nichole Nordeman wants to leave behind. She explains how everyone likes receiving awards and hearing compliments and getting attention. But, the singer believes that there is more to life then just the temporary things like an encouragement or a metal. Nichole wants to leave a Legacy that people will remember her by forever. She wants to make a difference. She wants to make sure that she has expressed her love to the greatest potential. She wants to make sure her actions have impacted others. Nichole believes that the point of life is more than just temporary, material things, she believes in love and compassion. And with this, she teaches people a way to live their life full of love, kindness, hope, and inspiration.
World by Five for Fighting
What kind of world do you want?
Think Anything
Let's start at the start
Build a masterpiece
Be careful what you wish for
History starts now...
The whole meaning of the song is basically summarized in the chorus. This is my interpretation: I think that it’s about deciding what your want your future to be and making it happen. You create your own destiny. You have to be careful because every second counts. The lines, “No instructions or commandments,” reinforces the fact that life doesn’t come with a manual; you have to figure it out on your own. Other verses of the song talk about choosing religion, or choosing to be foolish, or choosing to let many people into your life. We learn to build our own world, our own life, and make it matter.
Think Anything
Let's start at the start
Build a masterpiece
Be careful what you wish for
History starts now...
The whole meaning of the song is basically summarized in the chorus. This is my interpretation: I think that it’s about deciding what your want your future to be and making it happen. You create your own destiny. You have to be careful because every second counts. The lines, “No instructions or commandments,” reinforces the fact that life doesn’t come with a manual; you have to figure it out on your own. Other verses of the song talk about choosing religion, or choosing to be foolish, or choosing to let many people into your life. We learn to build our own world, our own life, and make it matter.
What About Now by Daughtry
What About Now by Daughtry
What about now?
What about today?
What if you're making me all that I was meant to be?
What if our love never went away?
What if it's lost behind words we could never find?
Baby, before it's too late,
What about now?
“What about now? What about today?,” asks us, in other words, “when will we help others,” and, “when will we make a difference.” The song is about how other people can help each other become the best person they could possibly be. We have to make a difference before its too late. Life rushes along very quickly, so when is the right time to help? Daughtry asks, “What about now?”
The music video of this song is also very inspirational. It opens with scenes of oppression, homelessness, injustice, bad living conditions, and poverty with the quote, “Today in a corner of the world, someone is hungry, homeless, hurting; that someone could be you.” These scenes bring into reality the terrible things that people have to go through in life. It makes us thankful about our lives, yet it also warns us that one day, we could be under the same horrible circumstances; it shows us how all humanity is the same. It also asks whether it’s right to let people go through these things, in order to inspire us to help with a change. The next quote is, “I’m an average Joe, just trying to make ends meet, can I make a difference?” The next scenes go into people who did just that. They had a vision, and turned it into reality. It shows different people and different charities who have tried to help the world and make a change, including those to end poverty, to end ignorance, to help criminals, to give clean water, to make the world greener, and to feed the homeless. One of the last quotes is, “I am the dream that becomes the reality.” It shows us that it is possible to change the world.
What about now?
What about today?
What if you're making me all that I was meant to be?
What if our love never went away?
What if it's lost behind words we could never find?
Baby, before it's too late,
What about now?
“What about now? What about today?,” asks us, in other words, “when will we help others,” and, “when will we make a difference.” The song is about how other people can help each other become the best person they could possibly be. We have to make a difference before its too late. Life rushes along very quickly, so when is the right time to help? Daughtry asks, “What about now?”
The music video of this song is also very inspirational. It opens with scenes of oppression, homelessness, injustice, bad living conditions, and poverty with the quote, “Today in a corner of the world, someone is hungry, homeless, hurting; that someone could be you.” These scenes bring into reality the terrible things that people have to go through in life. It makes us thankful about our lives, yet it also warns us that one day, we could be under the same horrible circumstances; it shows us how all humanity is the same. It also asks whether it’s right to let people go through these things, in order to inspire us to help with a change. The next quote is, “I’m an average Joe, just trying to make ends meet, can I make a difference?” The next scenes go into people who did just that. They had a vision, and turned it into reality. It shows different people and different charities who have tried to help the world and make a change, including those to end poverty, to end ignorance, to help criminals, to give clean water, to make the world greener, and to feed the homeless. One of the last quotes is, “I am the dream that becomes the reality.” It shows us that it is possible to change the world.
The Riddle by Five for Fighting
This whole song, The Riddle, is related to Legacy. In the greater scheme, this song is about wisdom and enlightenment about life being passed on from generation to generation. As you can see, in the beginning, the narrator asks a dying man (who I interpret is his father), “Wait, what’s the sense in life, ” and his answer is the chorus. Then it goes into the narrator picking up his own son and going through the same process of finding the point of life. This shows how the sense of knowledge and understanding is learned and taught from a child-parent relationship.
The whole point of this song is to find the purpose in life, “Here's a riddle for you. Find the Answer. There's a reason for the world, You and I...” One verse goes, “There are secrets that we still have left to find. There have been mysteries from the beginning of time,” which shows us that the answer of life is forever unknown to mankind. The son wonders if we really can make a difference when we are big but really we are small compared to everything else in the world. This leads the father into questioning, “When you get right down to it…who am I?” This shows the struggle we all face in life to find ourselves and find out who we are supposed to be. Back in the beginning when the narrator was talking to his father, his father tells him to not worry and just live your life. In the end, the narrator finally understands. “I guess we're big and I guess we're small. If you think about it man you know we got it all. Cause we're all we got on this bouncing ball…” No matter how small we feel in the scheme of things, people do make an impact on one another; as you can see, there really is a reason for every individual person on this earth. We all must work together on this planet, enjoy life, and embrace the ones you love.
The whole point of this song is to find the purpose in life, “Here's a riddle for you. Find the Answer. There's a reason for the world, You and I...” One verse goes, “There are secrets that we still have left to find. There have been mysteries from the beginning of time,” which shows us that the answer of life is forever unknown to mankind. The son wonders if we really can make a difference when we are big but really we are small compared to everything else in the world. This leads the father into questioning, “When you get right down to it…who am I?” This shows the struggle we all face in life to find ourselves and find out who we are supposed to be. Back in the beginning when the narrator was talking to his father, his father tells him to not worry and just live your life. In the end, the narrator finally understands. “I guess we're big and I guess we're small. If you think about it man you know we got it all. Cause we're all we got on this bouncing ball…” No matter how small we feel in the scheme of things, people do make an impact on one another; as you can see, there really is a reason for every individual person on this earth. We all must work together on this planet, enjoy life, and embrace the ones you love.
Big Yellow Taxi by Counting Crows
The song “Big Yellow Taxi” by Counting Crows is a perfect illustration of the legacy that people can leave behind. Firstly, the song talks about how humans tend to disregard the “good things” in life. As living beings, we are fortunate to have the many advantages that we have over other species. However, by destroying what we have and depleting all of the natural resources on Earth, our generation may come to be known as the one that kept taking and taking without giving back. In order to fight this potential legacy, we must learn to appreciate what we have. As the song states, “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.”
Fame by Naturi Naughton
Remember my name
Fame
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna learn how to fly
High
I feel it coming together
People will see me and cry
Fame
This song is from the movie “Fame”. The characters sing this because, as it is quite obvious from the lyrics, they want to be famous. They want to be remembered by everyone. And through this fortune and success, their names will live on forever. Their Legacy will be known as actors, actresses, musicians, and singers; famous.
Fame
I'm gonna live forever
I'm gonna learn how to fly
High
I feel it coming together
People will see me and cry
Fame
This song is from the movie “Fame”. The characters sing this because, as it is quite obvious from the lyrics, they want to be famous. They want to be remembered by everyone. And through this fortune and success, their names will live on forever. Their Legacy will be known as actors, actresses, musicians, and singers; famous.
Fingerprints by Katy Perry
I wanna break the mold
Wanna break the stereotype
Fist in the air
I'm not going down with out a fight
It's my life
And I'm not sitting on the sidelines watching it
Pass me by
I'm leaving you my legacy
I gotta make my mark
I gotta run it hard
I want you to remember me
I'm leaving my fingerprints
I'm leaving my fingerprints
I'm leaving my fingerprints on you
Representing you and me
Don't you wanna go down in history
Rather than end up
Begging on the streets
The song “Fingerprints” by Katy Perry shows how she wants to change the life she is living in order to leave a legacy that matters. In the first few verses of the song, Katy sings that her life is worth more than what she is doing, “'Cause $7.75
Isn't worth and hour of my hard work and time,” and,” Oh I'm worth more than an X” She won’t settle, which is why she hopes to “break the mold” and make something of herself. Katy wants to live her life, and live it to the greatest potential, in order to make her mark and leave her Legacy. In these lyrics, “Representing you and me. Don't you wanna go down in history. Rather than end up, begging on the streets” she shows how it is important to make something of yourself so you will be remembered in the future.
Wanna break the stereotype
Fist in the air
I'm not going down with out a fight
It's my life
And I'm not sitting on the sidelines watching it
Pass me by
I'm leaving you my legacy
I gotta make my mark
I gotta run it hard
I want you to remember me
I'm leaving my fingerprints
I'm leaving my fingerprints
I'm leaving my fingerprints on you
Representing you and me
Don't you wanna go down in history
Rather than end up
Begging on the streets
The song “Fingerprints” by Katy Perry shows how she wants to change the life she is living in order to leave a legacy that matters. In the first few verses of the song, Katy sings that her life is worth more than what she is doing, “'Cause $7.75
Isn't worth and hour of my hard work and time,” and,” Oh I'm worth more than an X” She won’t settle, which is why she hopes to “break the mold” and make something of herself. Katy wants to live her life, and live it to the greatest potential, in order to make her mark and leave her Legacy. In these lyrics, “Representing you and me. Don't you wanna go down in history. Rather than end up, begging on the streets” she shows how it is important to make something of yourself so you will be remembered in the future.
I don't Wanna Be by Gavin DeGraw
I don't want to be anything other than what I've been trying to be lately
All I have to do is think of me and have peace of mind
I'm tired of looking 'round rooms wondering what I gotta do
Or who I'm supposed to be
I don't want to be anything other than me
This song by Gavin DegGraw stresses the importance of individualism. We learn that is important to appreciate ourselves for who we are and not to conform into the entire society. We must be true to ourselves and live our lives how we want to, not “them”. It is clear that Gavin wants to be remembered as an individual. We also learn the significance of knowing where you come from and celebrating your past. As Gavin sings, “Part of where I’m going, is knowing where I’m coming from.” You can’t move forward into your future without assessing your past, past generations, past actions, past feelings, and so on.
All I have to do is think of me and have peace of mind
I'm tired of looking 'round rooms wondering what I gotta do
Or who I'm supposed to be
I don't want to be anything other than me
This song by Gavin DegGraw stresses the importance of individualism. We learn that is important to appreciate ourselves for who we are and not to conform into the entire society. We must be true to ourselves and live our lives how we want to, not “them”. It is clear that Gavin wants to be remembered as an individual. We also learn the significance of knowing where you come from and celebrating your past. As Gavin sings, “Part of where I’m going, is knowing where I’m coming from.” You can’t move forward into your future without assessing your past, past generations, past actions, past feelings, and so on.
Tapestry by Carole King
My life has been a tapestry of rich and royal hues
An everlasting vision of the ever-changing views
A wondrous woven magic in bits of blue and gold
A tapestry to feel and see, impossible to hold
The song Tapestry by Carole King discusses the many experiences that the narrator has come to undergo throughout the years of her life. The people and places that she has encountered have come to make up the woven fabric of her being, and she wishes to convey this through song. This same idea is reflected in the realm of legacy. One’s legacy is formed by everything that one comes across over the course of one’s lifetime. Therefore, as the song states, a legacy is truly “a tapestry to feel and see, impossible to hold.”
An everlasting vision of the ever-changing views
A wondrous woven magic in bits of blue and gold
A tapestry to feel and see, impossible to hold
The song Tapestry by Carole King discusses the many experiences that the narrator has come to undergo throughout the years of her life. The people and places that she has encountered have come to make up the woven fabric of her being, and she wishes to convey this through song. This same idea is reflected in the realm of legacy. One’s legacy is formed by everything that one comes across over the course of one’s lifetime. Therefore, as the song states, a legacy is truly “a tapestry to feel and see, impossible to hold.”
I will Remember You by Sarah McLachlan
“I will remember you, will you remember me?
Don’t let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories”
This song expresses the narrator’s desire to be remembered by someone in her life. This feeling is very common among all people, as it is only normal for us to want to make an impact on another person that we care about. This reassures us that everything we do in our lifetimes is not in vain, that our purpose in life was fulfilled, and that we now deserve to have a legacy
Don’t let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories”
This song expresses the narrator’s desire to be remembered by someone in her life. This feeling is very common among all people, as it is only normal for us to want to make an impact on another person that we care about. This reassures us that everything we do in our lifetimes is not in vain, that our purpose in life was fulfilled, and that we now deserve to have a legacy
My Way by Frank Sinatra
Recorded at the end of Frank Sinatra’s career, My Way is truly a testament to the trials and tribulations of his life. Sinatra tells that he decided to live his life by his own rules, and that he has hardly encountered any regrets in doing so. He also mentions the fact that he did it all on his own using “not the words of one who kneels,” meaning that he did not answer to anyone nor subordinate himself to anyone. By declaring this through song, Sinatra gives his listeners, fans, and critics permission to view him as a strong-willed musician and person in hopes that they will carry on his legacy as suc
Will the Circle be Unbroken by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash
Will the Circle be Unbroken recounts the death of Maybelle Carter, the beloved mother of the June Carter Cash and her siblings. Maybelle was the matriarch of the Carter family, and she devoted her entire life to the happiness of her children so that the family could remain a stronghold to all its members. When her time of passing came, June, who was one of the younger members of the family, decided to sing a ballad about her mother, who was clearly an influential figure in her life. This song discusses a certain “circle,” referring to both the circle of life as well as the circle of strength that the family managed to build over the years. This song comes from the feelings of vulnerability and doubt that one faces after the death of a family member, begging the question of whether the family circle that was built will continue the way it has been for ages now that it lacks such an important member. Also, it considers the importance of the circle of life and shows how we are all part of it and need to undergo these tragedies in order to live a full and rich life.
No Day but today by Rent
There's only us
There's only this
Forget regret-- or life is yours to miss.
No other road
No other way
No day but today
This song talks about no day but today. This shows that you have do take action when you can and don't just wait for the perfect moment or life will pass you by. To have a legacy you would be proud of means you have to do something. It could be from loving your children to creating world peace. Everything you do impacts your legacy and others which will result in great change in the world.
There's only this
Forget regret-- or life is yours to miss.
No other road
No other way
No day but today
This song talks about no day but today. This shows that you have do take action when you can and don't just wait for the perfect moment or life will pass you by. To have a legacy you would be proud of means you have to do something. It could be from loving your children to creating world peace. Everything you do impacts your legacy and others which will result in great change in the world.
Halo by Beyonce
Everywhere I'm looking now
I'm surrounded by your embrace
Baby I can see your halo
You know you're my saving grace Halo by Beyonce has lyrics that really speak to me. This part of the song shows the impact of your legacy on others. When you get rewarded for going something good by helping another person, that person benefits as well. When someone in your family does something remarkable,it can be beneficial in your life as well.You never know who is going to be affected by the legacy you put out into the world for all people to view. A small thing can change another's life
I'm surrounded by your embrace
Baby I can see your halo
You know you're my saving grace Halo by Beyonce has lyrics that really speak to me. This part of the song shows the impact of your legacy on others. When you get rewarded for going something good by helping another person, that person benefits as well. When someone in your family does something remarkable,it can be beneficial in your life as well.You never know who is going to be affected by the legacy you put out into the world for all people to view. A small thing can change another's life
We Didn't Start the Fire by Billy Joel
Behind the catchy tune of We Didn't Start the Fire by Billy Joel there is alot of meaning. All of the names mentioned are people and things that made a significant impact and made a memorable legacy. For example, read the following stanza:
Eisenhower, vaccine, England's got a new queen
Marciano, Liberace, Santayana goodbye
Eisenhower was the 34th president of the US and vaccines were created that saved people's lives. England got a new queen,and Rocky Marciano was the undefeated Heavy Weight Champion of the World 1952-56. Liberace was a famous pianist and George Santayana was a philosopher, poet, critic, and best-selling novelist. These people all has legacies that the world remembered. Some impacts were negative, while others were positive, but they all are known throughout history and today. This song keeps the memories of those times alive.
Eisenhower, vaccine, England's got a new queen
Marciano, Liberace, Santayana goodbye
Eisenhower was the 34th president of the US and vaccines were created that saved people's lives. England got a new queen,and Rocky Marciano was the undefeated Heavy Weight Champion of the World 1952-56. Liberace was a famous pianist and George Santayana was a philosopher, poet, critic, and best-selling novelist. These people all has legacies that the world remembered. Some impacts were negative, while others were positive, but they all are known throughout history and today. This song keeps the memories of those times alive.
Graduation by Vitamin C
As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
From whatever
We will still be
Friends Forever
This song is usually recognized as a graduation song, but it could be a song about any sort of ending/ parting. Using it as a graduation song: In high school, we make friendships that will last forever and even when we go our separate ways in life, we will always remember those special moments we've shared with our best friends, whether it be getting into trouble, or stressing about work, or going through a tragedy, or just having fun. We go through all of these things together, and when we graduate and leave high school, we leave behind our high school festivities, yet we take each memory and friendship with us eternally. We only have just over 2 years left in high school. It is important for us to make our impact on Wheatley and enjoy our time here before we leave it and go our separate ways.
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
From whatever
We will still be
Friends Forever
This song is usually recognized as a graduation song, but it could be a song about any sort of ending/ parting. Using it as a graduation song: In high school, we make friendships that will last forever and even when we go our separate ways in life, we will always remember those special moments we've shared with our best friends, whether it be getting into trouble, or stressing about work, or going through a tragedy, or just having fun. We go through all of these things together, and when we graduate and leave high school, we leave behind our high school festivities, yet we take each memory and friendship with us eternally. We only have just over 2 years left in high school. It is important for us to make our impact on Wheatley and enjoy our time here before we leave it and go our separate ways.
American Pie by Don McLean
The song American Pie by Don McLean is a melodic tribute to many musical and historical events that occurred in the time between 1959, the year in which Buddy Holly died, and 1971, the year in which McLean’s album of the same name was released. Each image included in the lyric has special significance and relates to a certain milestone in musical history of the time. For example, the recurring theme throughout the entire song is “the day the music died.” This symbolized the plane crash that killed musical sensations Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and The Big Bopper on February 2, 1959 in Iowa during a snowstorm. A line in the next verse, “You both kicked off your shoes / Man I dig those rhythm ‘n’ blues…” refers to the infamous “sock hop,” dancing that required participants to remove their shoes as leather- and rubber-soled shoes would destroy the wooden floor in the dancehall. Also, the mention of rhythm ‘n’ blues of course refers to the style of music that preceded rock and roll, one that was especially popular in the African American community during the horrid times of segregation. While these are just two out of dozens of possible interpretations of the song lyrics, what is most important is why they were placed in the song. Without anthems such as this, the fantastically rich culture of the late fifties, sixties, and early seventies would never be able to endure the ages so that future generations could experience them. To view the full interpretation of the song, please visit http://www.faqs.org/faqs/music/american-pie/.
A Boy Named Sue by Johnny Cash
“Well, I grew up quick and I grew up mean
My fist got hard and my wits got keen,
I'd roam from town to town to hide my shame.
But I made a vow to the moon and stars
That I'd search the honky-tonks and bars
And kill that man who gave me that awful name.”
“And he said: "Son, this world is rough
And if a man's gonna make it, he's gotta be tough
And I knew I wouldn't be there to help ya along
So I give ya that name and I said goodbye
I knew you'd have to get tough or die
And it's the name that helped to make you strong"
The blues song A Boy Named Sue by Johnny Cash describes the interesting – and comical – story of a boy whose estranged father named him the effeminate name Sue. The father is portrayed as a strong-willed man who wanted his son to be strong and unafraid of challenges, and he decides to use the tool of naming to achieve this, showing the effects that naming has on one’s legacy.
By making this mark on his son and then betraying the family by leaving them, he left a certain reputation and legacy amongst his children and wife. The rest of this song deals with the son’s quest to find his alienated father and set the record straight.
My fist got hard and my wits got keen,
I'd roam from town to town to hide my shame.
But I made a vow to the moon and stars
That I'd search the honky-tonks and bars
And kill that man who gave me that awful name.”
“And he said: "Son, this world is rough
And if a man's gonna make it, he's gotta be tough
And I knew I wouldn't be there to help ya along
So I give ya that name and I said goodbye
I knew you'd have to get tough or die
And it's the name that helped to make you strong"
The blues song A Boy Named Sue by Johnny Cash describes the interesting – and comical – story of a boy whose estranged father named him the effeminate name Sue. The father is portrayed as a strong-willed man who wanted his son to be strong and unafraid of challenges, and he decides to use the tool of naming to achieve this, showing the effects that naming has on one’s legacy.
By making this mark on his son and then betraying the family by leaving them, he left a certain reputation and legacy amongst his children and wife. The rest of this song deals with the son’s quest to find his alienated father and set the record straight.
Teach Your Children Well
by Crosby Stills and Nash
“And you, of tender years,
Can’t know the fears that your elders grew by,
And so please help them with your youth
They seek the truth before they can die.”
The song Teach Your Children Well by Crosby, Stills, and Nash is a ballad about the many lessons that one must pass onto one’s children and grandchildren throughout their lives. It also mentions how children have the same responsibility to teach their parents as well. In life, we all have certain lessons and morals to offer to one another, and it is safe to say that we all learn invaluable things from each other. This is an instrumental part of the idea that we make an impact on everyone that we meet and leave a certain legacy of our time on Earth.
Can’t know the fears that your elders grew by,
And so please help them with your youth
They seek the truth before they can die.”
The song Teach Your Children Well by Crosby, Stills, and Nash is a ballad about the many lessons that one must pass onto one’s children and grandchildren throughout their lives. It also mentions how children have the same responsibility to teach their parents as well. In life, we all have certain lessons and morals to offer to one another, and it is safe to say that we all learn invaluable things from each other. This is an instrumental part of the idea that we make an impact on everyone that we meet and leave a certain legacy of our time on Earth.
Fast Car by Tracy Chapman
This song tells a tale of the cycle of poverty in one’s life. The speaker of the song first describes the type of life she endured when she was a child. Living with an alcoholic father, things were never quite as easy as she hoped they would be. Eventually, she tries to overcome the situation by finding a companion with whom she hopes to make a life for herself and her family. While the situation seems promising, eventually the speaker finds herself in a conflict similar to the one her mother faced all those years ago. Unemployment gets the better of her companion who succumbs to alcoholism and he hardly ever spends time with his children.
By creating this song, Tracy Chapman helps to bring a voice to those who do not have the ability to speak out about the dire situations that they are in. Because she experienced her own misfortunes in finances as a young girl, she can provide a true, firsthand experience for all of its listeners to learn from.
By creating this song, Tracy Chapman helps to bring a voice to those who do not have the ability to speak out about the dire situations that they are in. Because she experienced her own misfortunes in finances as a young girl, she can provide a true, firsthand experience for all of its listeners to learn from.
Beethoven 9th(Ode to Joy)
by Ludwig van Beethoven
Beethoven’s 9th represents the climax as well as the culmination of Ludwig van Beethoven’s life. It is a symphony that he had been trying to compose for the majority of his life, and interestingly enough, manuscripts detailing bits and pieces of what many now know as the finished product have turned up, all of which were created at different points of his life. Some were even from the very beginning of his career as a musical genius. This piece is truly the pièce de résistance of Beethoven’s career, and it is fitting that he chose this piece to end his illustrious love affair with music.
Empire State of Mind
by Jay-Z (featuring Alicia Keys)
This song talks about New York City and why it is a good place to be. It gets into the hearts and minds of the people that live there, as well as the rest of the world. It provides a sense of pride for New Yorkers. Other states, such as New Hampshire, made remakes of this song to show pride for their own communities. During the Yankee parade, Empire State Of Mind was performed live, so i always think of the victory of my favorite baseball team. Because of this song, I will now remember this event in history forever. The legacy that this song leaves in my heart, makes me glad to be a New Yorker.
Traditions From Fiddler on the Roof
Fiddler on the Roof is a Broadway show about a Jewish religious family and the life they live. This specific song talks about the family tradition that has been occurring for along time. It talks about how there was a specific way that each person had to follow a life path. Starting with Hebrew school at age three, then to arranged marriage and later having children as well. There is a certain way in which they have to live. They live on the legacy of their past relatives to keep their family traditions alive, even though some of the younger people in the family wanted to change the cycle. It's not that they didn't love their family or culture, they just wanted to change the way they did things and adapt it to the current times. You can change something and still keep alive their legacy.
Forever Young by Bob Dylan
This song by Bob Dylan is talking about things "you" may do in the future. It seems like the writer is trying to express part of his legacy on "you". The successful and happy moments should be repeated, while the misfourtines from the writer's life should be used as advice on what not to do. They can be great learning experiences and life lessons.
May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
This stanza of the song shows that the writer wants the person that the song it to to live a great life. Bob Dlyan also meant this to be for his son. That he shouldn't grow up to fast. Don't live waiting for the future. Live in the moment and enjoy the path life takes you on,not just the end result. Bob Dylan wants others to learn from his life and legacy so they don't make the same mistakes he did.
May you grow up to be righteous,
May you grow up to be true,
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you.
May you always be courageous,
This stanza of the song shows that the writer wants the person that the song it to to live a great life. Bob Dlyan also meant this to be for his son. That he shouldn't grow up to fast. Don't live waiting for the future. Live in the moment and enjoy the path life takes you on,not just the end result. Bob Dylan wants others to learn from his life and legacy so they don't make the same mistakes he did.
Live Like We're Dying by Kris Allen
This song by Kris Allen protrays the important idea that you need to live in the moment. The following verse is the chorus of the song.
Yeah… gotta start
Lookin at the hand of the time we’ve been given here
This is all we got and we gotta start pickin it
Every second counts on a clock that’s tickin’
Gotta live like we’re dying
This section of the song explains that every second can affect your legacy. You need to get up and take action with your life if you want to be known for something in the world. If you act like your time is running out, you will do the things you truly love instead of the things in life you have to do. You can be the leader of your own future. Your legacy will then be something you want it to be.
Yeah… gotta start
Lookin at the hand of the time we’ve been given here
This is all we got and we gotta start pickin it
Every second counts on a clock that’s tickin’
Gotta live like we’re dying
This section of the song explains that every second can affect your legacy. You need to get up and take action with your life if you want to be known for something in the world. If you act like your time is running out, you will do the things you truly love instead of the things in life you have to do. You can be the leader of your own future. Your legacy will then be something you want it to be.
