23 June, 2011

day 04 - a song that makes you sad

Song Challenge: A Song that makes me Sad.
What is more sorrowful than to see suffering, and to see false hope offered? 
 "Sing for the Moment" Eminem


This is a song I can't recommend you listen to, mainly because of the language content. I found it in a time in my life when language in music didn't bother me that much, which I'm finding I can't say anymore.


But I'll stand by my assessment of the accuracy of this songs lyrics. I may not have a ton of respect for Eminem, but I will say that I have no doubt that he loves Detroit, will work for that city to be great again, and that he has a great amount of musical talent, especially lyrically. 


It's a song about brokenness. About inner city kids struggling to have hope, and not sure who or what to turn to. How being a rapper is a business while also finding that he's an idol for these kids who have nothing else to cling to but knowing someone got out- someone could do it. 

I guess words ..... they can be great
Or they can degrade, or even worse they can teach hate
It's like these kids hang on every single statement we make
Like they worship us, plus all the stores ship us platinum
Now how the **** did this metamorphosis happen
From standin' on corners and porches just rappin'
To havin' a fortune, no more kissin' ***


They think there's nothing in their future. This song, more than many others, captures the essence of despair of not having hope.  It's  the American dream that happened for someone, but probably... not for them.
Only this gun, lonely cause don't anyone know me 


It's about music being part of your soul. About channeling some of the anguish, hurt, intense anger- all things that arise in broken homes. About not being able to trust anyone. About no one trusting you. 


He's a problem child
And what bothers him all comes out

when he talks about his ******' dad walkin' out
Cause he just hates him so bad that he blocks him out
If he ever saw him again he'd probably knock him out


About waiting for something to push one over the edge, and just wondering when. 


About the absence of peace. Entirely. 
In the land of the killers, a sinner's mind is a sanctum 


It's also about responsibility- and attacks from the media holding rappers responsible for the violence in 
youth. Personally, I think there's both sides to that coin. But I won't argue with Eminem when he says
They say music can alter moods and talk to you
Well can it load a gun up for you , and cock it too
Well if it can, then the next time you assault a dude
Just tell the judge it was my fault and i'll get sued
See what these kids do is hear about us totin' pistols
And they want to get one cause they think the ***** cool
Not knowin' we really just protectin' ourselves, we entertainers
Of course the ***** affectin' our sales, you ignoramus
But music is reflection of self, we just explain it, and then we get our
checks in the mai
l


The song concludes with Eminem talking about why his influence is important- so those kids can see that someone did get out. That it's possible. That dreams can enter reality, and that their future isn't necessarily just like their present. 


That there's hope. 
That's why we sing for these kids, who don't have a thing
Except for a dream, and a *****' rap magazine
Who post pin-up pictures on their walls all day long
Idolize they favorite rappers and know all they songs
Or for anyone who's ever been through **** in their lives
Till they sit and they cry at night wishin' they'd die
Till they throw on a rap record and they sit, and they vibe
We're nothin' to you but we're the ******' **** in they eyes
That's why we seize the moment try to freeze it and own it, 
squeeze it and hold it
Cause we consider these minutes golden
And maybe they'll admit it when we're goneJust let our spirits live on,
 through our lyrics that you hear in our
songs and we can...  
So I give Eminem credit where credit is due. 
He writes with vibrance, shocking honesty, and he certainly knows how to reach people. He has a passion and energy for his city that I think is inspiring. He's not the only one. A good friend of mine, Dean, also has a passion for Detroit. Check out his journeys to providing real hope to Detroit here.  

Too bad Eminem's wishes are a waste. This song to me, will always represent the tragedy of the lost world. It's the perfect reminder of where we would be without Jesus Christ's sacrifice, and I think that's a perspective worth having (not that you should listen to the song to achieve that). 

There can be no hope without a Savior.  So this song makes me sad because it reminds me of how many young people are lost, hurt, angry, betrayed, and haven't turned to the Shepherd, the Healer, the Judge, and the Faithful, Almighty God. 




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