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trappedinhell
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23 Aug 2012, 5:51 am

My obsession is fixing the world. But it looks like I have to do it alone. Can you suggest any music?

I'm looking for
* songs about doing the right thing, but not about succeeding (I may not succeed in my lifetime).
* songs suitable for loners. So "you're doing great" type songs are out, because they imply a second person who agrees.
* songs about a better world: not just "be happy" (e.g. "It's a Wonderful World")
* songs with a global theme, not just personal success ("reach" by Gloria Estefan is too self obsessed for me)
* thoughtful songs ("eye of the tiger" is too testosterone filled for me - real change requires quiet contemplation. (This rap come close, but it's a bit too wordy.).
* songs that demand personal action ("Somewhere Over The Rainbow" is a lovely song but too passive for me)

Examples of music I love:
* classical music: it has no words, so I can read into it what I like.
* "I'd Like to teach the world to sing" (New Seekers)
* "The Impossible Dream" (the 1972 movie version - see this thread for how I interpret it)
* "Bridge over troubled water" and "he ain't heavy" - these are about the singer saying he will help others. It does not imply that others will help him.
* "Flash" (by Queen) - cheesy but ticks the boxes
* "Go West" (Pet Shop Boys) - although it sings of group activity, it's really a plea (you can imagine it as one man trying to persuade others and not necessarily succeeding, but his message is good)
* Tainted Love (Soft Cell) and "River Deep" (Tina Turner) - although these are love songs, they're about unrequited love and are VERY powerful. I'd also add "I am an island" (Simon and Garfunkle) - though it's about loneliness it's really about hard questions, and is beautiful.

Any recommendations for songs for obsessives?


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ScrewyWabbit
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23 Aug 2012, 12:42 pm

trappedinhell wrote:
My obsession is fixing the world. But it looks like I have to do it alone. Can you suggest any music?

I'm looking for
* songs about doing the right thing, but not about succeeding (I may not succeed in my lifetime).

Michael Jackson - Man in the Mirror
trappedinhell wrote:
* songs suitable for loners. So "you're doing great" type songs are out, because they imply a second person who agrees.

The Smiths - How Soon Is Now
trappedinhell wrote:
* songs about a better world: not just "be happy" (e.g. "It's a Wonderful World")

U2 - Beautiful Day



trappedinhell
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23 Aug 2012, 3:17 pm

Thanks. I'm not sure they satisfy the global criteria (being mostly personal) or the obsession criteria (since they are about being un-obsessed and needing to change), but I appreciate the thought.

They all seem to be saying "I am bad and need to change." There seems to we a whole genre of these guilt songs. I suppose I should not be surprised - guilt is a major part of religion and human experience in general. But it's not something I can really relate to. I have been obsessed with poverty since childhood, and have never spent time on normal things (like friendships, fun, and acquiring property).

So I cannot relate to U2 saying "You're on the road But you've got no destination" - I am the opposite and always have been. I can't relate to the Smiths saying "I am the son and the heir Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar I am the son and heir Of the nothing in particular." I have always felt the exact opposite. I cannot relate to Michael Jackson saying "I'm Gonna Make A Change, For Once In My Life." I've been obsessed with this course since childhood.

I also have a problem with the insincerity of pop stars. E.g. they sing about changing but I don't see any difference before or after. But that is probably unfair of me: When they sing about falling in love they are not really falling in love, so why should I expect them to genuinely change when they sing about changing? Like John Lennon saying love is all you need (but keeping his wealth), or Bono preaching about responsibility (while avoiding taxes), they are just singing words for a profit, it's their job, I should not expect them to believe the words.

I guess I'm just very hard to please. Thanks again for replying though, it's always wonderful when somebody replies to a thread. If scary at the same time.


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Aalto
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23 Aug 2012, 8:05 pm

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLiq9PDdUJ8[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BFNX78vZE8[/youtube]

To me, Disco Inferno seem to fit into your criteria. Late '80s early '90s band. Sincere, righteous, provoking. They're usually a little more abrasive than this song, but I don't care a jot. These two songs are taken from their first EP recorded when using midi sampling.

"The gulls are coming in off the coast
The smell of corpses passed them in
Mass graves uncovered, must be abroad - it can't be here
I can sense your violence, but I still don't understand
How when the past seems dead and you've got the future
In the palm of your hand"



Ganondox
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23 Aug 2012, 8:55 pm

I'm sure there is some metal that fits this description, I can't think of anything at the moment.


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1000Knives
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23 Aug 2012, 10:50 pm

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h-cbizelxQ[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=576uoOikT7I[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x57CAFmOc_8[/youtube]

For some more testosterone filled songs...
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62DrLnV8Tsk[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA450yRJ6Cs[/youtube]
http://www.animelyrics.com/anime/gundam ... winner.htm That Gundam opening reminds me of a Japanese "Highway to the Dangerzone" it's totally sweet to the max.
But really, this is why I like anime openings/Japanese music so much, it's usually so...optimistic.
Patlabor - Condition Green
http://www.animelyrics.com/anime/patlabor/patcg.htm
Listen to more Patlabor songs for the most like, uplifting things ever. Unfortunately, nobody's put the English lyrics online, they're on the DVD subs, but not online. Oh well.



trappedinhell
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24 Aug 2012, 6:52 am

Thanks! I see I have plenty to keep me busy. :)


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Bun
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24 Aug 2012, 9:13 am

The first description reminds me of Fix You by Coldplay... And try Start Again by Ian McCulloch maybe. These are two immidiate associations, if you want more suggestions I'll have to think about your request more.


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1000Knives
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24 Aug 2012, 10:52 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPF4NNlGtHov Ice MC - Think About the Way
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk3lQRmIkoM 2 Brothers on the 4th Floor - Dreams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKbj27A2oz8 Fun Factory - Take Your Chance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tj4QH0af5PY Captain Jack - Dream a Dream
For some eurodance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtP84ZlIr2M L' Arc En Ciel/GTO anime opening - Drivers High

People are like "Y U LOOK SO HAPPY ALL THE TIME?" and it's probably because I listen to stuff like this instead of Linkin Park.



Stargazer43
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24 Aug 2012, 6:21 pm

I have a few suggestions, since you said you enjoy classical I put a couple of my favorites in there ;). I hope that you like them

* songs about doing the right thing, but not about succeeding (I may not succeed in my lifetime).
There's an English translation in the video description on youtube
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2EG1x9qarE[/youtube]

* songs suitable for loners. So "you're doing great" type songs are out, because they imply a second person who agrees.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTqbTP5qy7k[/youtube]

* songs about a better world: not just "be happy" (e.g. "It's a Wonderful World")
Link to English translation: http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/get_text ... xtId=10640
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WygHQwHHIsQ[/youtube]

* songs with a global theme, not just personal success ("reach" by Gloria Estefan is too self obsessed for me)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_Yayz5o-l0[/youtube]

* thoughtful songs ("eye of the tiger" is too testosterone filled for me - real change requires quiet contemplation.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPk11AugG4c[/youtube]

* songs that demand personal action ("Somewhere Over The Rainbow" is a lovely song but too passive for me)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLJcT_bXEvY&feature=fvst[/youtube]