Viva La Vida/ Four Winds
Many songs are very similar to other songs, Four Winds by Bright Eyes and Viva La Vida by Coldplay is an example. Other than both being very inspirational songs, they both have a certain sound to them that make them more than similar. One of the most notable aspects is the use of orchestra instruments. This is very strange for this type of music genre but it makes the songs very deep and unique. Both songs’ lead singers (Conor Oberst and Chris Martin) have a very similar voice that makes the two songs’ seem even more related. The messages of the two songs are very comparable in that they both are saying how to forget about what we think we know and believe in and just take life as it is. Viva La Vida tells a story about how he was once a king who ruled the world but ended up being unwanted and forgotten. Four Winds tells a story about how once we forget about all of things that we think are important to us, we will finally be able to see the world the way it is meant to be seen. Both songs talk about being artificial and selfish. Also, in Viva La Vida once he is no longer king, he finally understands what it is like to be unwanted and disliked, in Four Winds, once he leaves the world he knows and goes to the ‘badlands” he “buried his ballast” and “made his peace”. So not only do both songs use the same instruments and have similar vocals but they both talk about having a revelation.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Big Yellow Taxi
Big Yellow Taxi
In 1970, Joni Mitchell released a song called “Big Yellow Taxi”, 37 years later, Counting Crows released a re-make of the same song. On paper, the two songs are identical, but when listened to, they sound very different and give totally different moods. When Joni Mitchell first released the song, the Vietnam War was ongoing, and a lot of music was anti-establishment or “hippie” at the time. Big Yellow Taxi was no exception; when first listening to the original, a lot of these “hippie” images come to mind, like pro-testing. Counting Crow’s re-make gives off different vibes however. Both songs are about appreciating what you have, because you don’t know what you got till it’s gone. The original is referring to her “old man” or your home. The re-make is referring to a lover. The genres have also shifted between the two songs, Joni Mitchell’s original is a 1970’s hippie, light rock song, and Counting Crow’s re-make is more of a modern R&B sounding song. The two songs are very similar as well though, not just in lyrics but in the underlying message to not appreciate everything you have and to be grateful while you still have it. The re-make is more upbeat then the original and is more of a song you would dance to. The music video of Counting Crow’s version also gives the listener more of a personal edge to the song and more imagery then the original. Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi is known as one of the first pro-test songs and was a stepping stone to many other “hippie” songs in the near future. Counting Crow’s took this song and transformed it into a modern song that young people today can relate to, just like how the young people of Joni Mitchell’s song could relate to her song. In both versions, the “Big Yellow Taxi” can be translated literally and metaphorically. Literally, the taxi can be referred as an actual taxi that Joni Mitchell’s father left in; according to her song anyways. Or the taxi that the girl left in from Counting Crow’s version. Metaphorically, the taxi can be escape route that all the good things in our lives are lost to. The taxi is what is taking away the things that we will miss, the song goes: “You don’t know what you got till it’s gone”, and it’s the taxi that is taking these things away from us. Whether you grew up in the 70’s, or in the modern world, Big Yellow taxi is a song that teaches us all to appreciate what you have while you still got it.
In 1970, Joni Mitchell released a song called “Big Yellow Taxi”, 37 years later, Counting Crows released a re-make of the same song. On paper, the two songs are identical, but when listened to, they sound very different and give totally different moods. When Joni Mitchell first released the song, the Vietnam War was ongoing, and a lot of music was anti-establishment or “hippie” at the time. Big Yellow Taxi was no exception; when first listening to the original, a lot of these “hippie” images come to mind, like pro-testing. Counting Crow’s re-make gives off different vibes however. Both songs are about appreciating what you have, because you don’t know what you got till it’s gone. The original is referring to her “old man” or your home. The re-make is referring to a lover. The genres have also shifted between the two songs, Joni Mitchell’s original is a 1970’s hippie, light rock song, and Counting Crow’s re-make is more of a modern R&B sounding song. The two songs are very similar as well though, not just in lyrics but in the underlying message to not appreciate everything you have and to be grateful while you still have it. The re-make is more upbeat then the original and is more of a song you would dance to. The music video of Counting Crow’s version also gives the listener more of a personal edge to the song and more imagery then the original. Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi is known as one of the first pro-test songs and was a stepping stone to many other “hippie” songs in the near future. Counting Crow’s took this song and transformed it into a modern song that young people today can relate to, just like how the young people of Joni Mitchell’s song could relate to her song. In both versions, the “Big Yellow Taxi” can be translated literally and metaphorically. Literally, the taxi can be referred as an actual taxi that Joni Mitchell’s father left in; according to her song anyways. Or the taxi that the girl left in from Counting Crow’s version. Metaphorically, the taxi can be escape route that all the good things in our lives are lost to. The taxi is what is taking away the things that we will miss, the song goes: “You don’t know what you got till it’s gone”, and it’s the taxi that is taking these things away from us. Whether you grew up in the 70’s, or in the modern world, Big Yellow taxi is a song that teaches us all to appreciate what you have while you still got it.
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