• MEDIA KIT
  • E-PAPER
  • RADIO VOICE
  • AWAAZ
  • CONTACT
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
No Result
View All Result
Weekly Voice
  • Home
  • News
    • All
    • India
    • Opinion
    • World
    Azad quits hours after named as Cong’s J&K campaign committee head

    Azad quits hours after named as Cong’s J&K campaign committee head

    BJP youth wing chalks out plans for bringing party to power in non-NDA ruled states

    BJP prepares strategy for party’s statewide expansion in Bihar

    ‘Breaking of ice is taking place’, engaging with FIFA to lift AIFF suspension: Centre to SC

    ‘Breaking of ice is taking place’, engaging with FIFA to lift AIFF suspension: Centre to SC

    Lucknow reports 72 new Covid cases in 24 hrs

    India’s daily Covid tally significantly dips to 9,062

    Delhi: Police finally lodge FIR against girls’s PG hostel guard

    Delhi: Police finally lodge FIR against girls’s PG hostel guard

    Terrorists escape after exchange of gunfire in J&K’s Shopian

    Terrorists escape after exchange of gunfire in J&K’s Shopian

    ‘Mann Ki Baat’: Modi calls for increasing water conservation efforts

    PM urges people to share ideas for ‘Mann ki Baat’

    Women carry body on cot in MP’s Rewa, hospital says no vehicle available

    Six bodies recovered from two houses in Jammu’s posh area (Ld)

    Huge scale of sexual violence endured in Ukraine emerges

    Girl attacked with blade for objecting to smoking

  • Canada
    • All
    • Alberta
    • British Columbia
    • Community
    • Immigration
    • Ontario
    • Québec
    QUESADA NOW SERVING THE OFFICIAL BURRITO OF CANADA SOCCER

    QUESADA NOW SERVING THE OFFICIAL BURRITO OF CANADA SOCCER

    Minister Sajjan announces $120-million sovereign loan offer on trip to Jordan

    Minister Sajjan concludes trip to Egypt and announces intention to contribute $10 million for climate-finance initiative

    man dunking the ball

    Decathlon Canada Opens New City Concept Store in Toronto’s Union Station

    young positive lady showing photos on smartphone to senior man while sitting at laptop

    Ontario’s Defined Benefit Pension Plans Continue to be Healthy Despite Current Economic Trends

    Downtrend In Canadian Home Sales; CREA Predicts Flattening Of Prices

    Canadian home sales slow further in July

    selective focus photography of people having a toast

    The Beer Store Expands Partnership with SkipTheDishes

    Air Canada Announces Longlist for Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2022

    Air Canada Announces Longlist for Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2022

    abundance achievement bank banknotes

    BCSC panel finds three B.C. residents defrauded investors of $600,000

    group of people huddling up

    Government of Canada funds projects for low-income adults

  • Business
    • All
    • Crypto
    • Employment
    • Insurance
    • Loans And Mortgages
    • Money
    • Real Estate
    QUESADA NOW SERVING THE OFFICIAL BURRITO OF CANADA SOCCER

    QUESADA NOW SERVING THE OFFICIAL BURRITO OF CANADA SOCCER

    man dunking the ball

    Decathlon Canada Opens New City Concept Store in Toronto’s Union Station

    Downtrend In Canadian Home Sales; CREA Predicts Flattening Of Prices

    Canadian home sales slow further in July

    selective focus photography of people having a toast

    The Beer Store Expands Partnership with SkipTheDishes

    group of people huddling up

    Government of Canada funds projects for low-income adults

    women recording podcast indoors

    Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada will help deliver capital to women entrepreneurs

    Staples Canada launches 17th annual School Supply Drive

    Staples Canada launches 17th annual School Supply Drive

    Celebrate A&W Canada’s 14th Annual burgers to beat MS day in Support of MS research

    Celebrate A&W Canada’s 14th Annual burgers to beat MS day in Support of MS research

    man welding round window frame

    Ontario Welcomes $14.8 Million Investment to Create Good-Paying Manufacturing Jobs

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Art And Culture
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Health
    • Horoscope
    • Matrimonial
    • Relationship Parenting
    • Travel
    Ajith to shoot in Arakku Valley for ‘#AK61’?

    Ajith to shoot in Arakku Valley for ‘#AK61’?

    ‘LOTR’ series drops special video describing Nuimenor as nautical society

    ‘LOTR’ series drops special video describing Nuimenor as nautical society

    As Mani Ratnam’s ‘Roja’ completes 30 years, A.R. Rahman says ‘that’s why I’m here’

    As Mani Ratnam’s ‘Roja’ completes 30 years, A.R. Rahman says ‘that’s why I’m here’

    Tovino Thomas’s biggest hit turns out to be ‘Thallumaala’

    Tovino Thomas’s biggest hit turns out to be ‘Thallumaala’

    ‘Jaldi nipta dena’: This is what Vicky told panditji at his wedding with Kat

    ‘Jaldi nipta dena’: This is what Vicky told panditji at his wedding with Kat

    Pulkit Bangia says ‘Kumkum Bhagya’ has been his life-changing break

    Pulkit Bangia says ‘Kumkum Bhagya’ has been his life-changing break

    Delhi executive fails to become Crorepati, but exits ‘KBC’ with Rs 75L

    Delhi executive fails to become Crorepati, but exits ‘KBC’ with Rs 75L

    Debina Bonnerjee, Gurmeet Choudhary expecting second baby

    Debina Bonnerjee, Gurmeet Choudhary expecting second baby

    ‘House of the Dragon’ receives thumbs up from B-town celebs

    ‘House of the Dragon’ receives thumbs up from B-town celebs

  • Auto
    light city road street

    2023 Mazda3 and Mazda3 Sport: Pricing and Packaging

    Polestar electric concept planned to enter production as Polestar 6

    Polestar electric concept planned to enter production as Polestar 6

    The Bentley Mulliner Batur; the most extraordinary grand tourer yet

    The Bentley Mulliner Batur; the most extraordinary grand tourer yet

    New U.S. Electric Vehicle Credit Proposal Puts Canada Back in Play

    New U.S. Electric Vehicle Credit Proposal Puts Canada Back in Play

    Mazda CX-60 Crossover SUV Unveiled in Europe

    Mazda CX-60 Crossover SUV Unveiled in Europe

    Ford F-150 Raptor R  – High-Performance Off-Roading

    Ford F-150 Raptor R  – High-Performance Off-Roading

    automobile automotive black and white blur

    Mercedes-Benz expands battery Partnership

    pexels-photo-12040980.jpeg

    BMW Group backs sustainable packaging

    photo of white car parked on roadside

    Volvo Cars and Starbucks partnership for charging stations in US

  • Tech
    • All
    • Science
    iOS 16, iPadOS 16 announced with major updates

    New entry-level iPad, M2 iPad Pro may arrive in October

    WeWork co-founder’s startup gets unicorn status even before launch

    WeWork co-founder’s startup gets unicorn status even before launch

    China heat wave hits Apple, Toyota suppliers as production halted

    China heat wave hits Apple, Toyota suppliers as production halted

    CoinSwitch Kuber temporarily disables rupee deposits

    Galaxy Digital’s $1.2 bn kill deal absurd, seek $100 mn in damages: BitGo

    Baby Jesus resembles Mark Zuckerberg in US museum, goes viral

    Baby Jesus resembles Mark Zuckerberg in US museum, goes viral

    Bhavish Aggarwal denies Ola planning merger with Uber

    Can Bhavish Aggarwal pull off his electric car dream amid harsh ground realities?

    Meta expands Horizon Worlds metaverse to more European countries

    Meta expands Horizon Worlds metaverse to more European countries

    Ratan Tata invests in startup that connects the elderly with young graduates

    Ratan Tata invests in startup that connects the elderly with young graduates

    Microsoft paying hundreds of millions in bribes, claims whistleblower

    More users attacked via old Microsoft Office vulnerability in Q2: Report

  • Sports
    • All
    • Badminton
    • Baseball
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Football
    • Golf
    • IPL
    • MMA
    • Olympics
    • Tennis
    QUESADA NOW SERVING THE OFFICIAL BURRITO OF CANADA SOCCER

    QUESADA NOW SERVING THE OFFICIAL BURRITO OF CANADA SOCCER

    Very special to be named South Africa’s Men’s Cricketer of the Year: Keshav Maharaj

    Very special to be named South Africa’s Men’s Cricketer of the Year: Keshav Maharaj

    ICC needs to put more time in ensuring survival of ODI, Test cricket: Kapil Dev

    ICC needs to put more time in ensuring survival of ODI, Test cricket: Kapil Dev

    MCC unlikely to offer free entry to spectators on Day 5 of England-South Africa Test

    MCC unlikely to offer free entry to spectators on Day 5 of England-South Africa Test

    Suryakumar finally scores big on Windies tour as India win by seven wickets in 3rd T20I

    Suryakumar Yadav should be in India’s playing XI for T20 World Cup: Ponting

    SLC officials seek Rs. 2 bn damages from Arjuna Ranatunga for alleged loss of reputation

    SLC officials seek Rs. 2 bn damages from Arjuna Ranatunga for alleged loss of reputation

    Maharaja Trophy: Luvnith Sisodia keeps Hubli Tigers in the hunt

    Maharaja Trophy: Luvnith Sisodia keeps Hubli Tigers in the hunt

    Afghanistan name squad for 2022 Asia Cup, Shinwari returns

    Afghanistan name squad for 2022 Asia Cup, Shinwari returns

    Rohit terms embracing new batting approach as biggest takeaway from T20I series

    Asia Cup 2022: India are firm favourites, but Pakistan can beat them, says Salman Butt

  • Food
    • All
    • Cooking Recipes
    • Food Shows
    • Restaurant Reviews
    • Zaika
    QUESADA NOW SERVING THE OFFICIAL BURRITO OF CANADA SOCCER

    QUESADA NOW SERVING THE OFFICIAL BURRITO OF CANADA SOCCER

    selective focus photography of people having a toast

    The Beer Store Expands Partnership with SkipTheDishes

    Air Canada Announces Longlist for Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2022

    Air Canada Announces Longlist for Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2022

    Celebrate A&W Canada’s 14th Annual burgers to beat MS day in Support of MS research

    Celebrate A&W Canada’s 14th Annual burgers to beat MS day in Support of MS research

    meal in bowl

    Amazing and Easy vegan Red lentil & mushroom soup

    noodles soup with meat on bowl

    Yummy Vegan Eggplant lentil curry Recipe

    Canadian Prefer To Say Cheers To Beer!

    Canadian Prefer To Say Cheers To Beer!

    green apple beside of two clear glass jars

    5 Nutritionist-recommended juices for healthy lifestyle

    Iconic Canadian coffee brand Tim Hortons opens in New Delhi

    Iconic Canadian coffee brand Tim Hortons opens in New Delhi

Weekly Voice
  • Home
  • News
    • All
    • India
    • Opinion
    • World
    Azad quits hours after named as Cong’s J&K campaign committee head

    Azad quits hours after named as Cong’s J&K campaign committee head

    BJP youth wing chalks out plans for bringing party to power in non-NDA ruled states

    BJP prepares strategy for party’s statewide expansion in Bihar

    ‘Breaking of ice is taking place’, engaging with FIFA to lift AIFF suspension: Centre to SC

    ‘Breaking of ice is taking place’, engaging with FIFA to lift AIFF suspension: Centre to SC

    Lucknow reports 72 new Covid cases in 24 hrs

    India’s daily Covid tally significantly dips to 9,062

    Delhi: Police finally lodge FIR against girls’s PG hostel guard

    Delhi: Police finally lodge FIR against girls’s PG hostel guard

    Terrorists escape after exchange of gunfire in J&K’s Shopian

    Terrorists escape after exchange of gunfire in J&K’s Shopian

    ‘Mann Ki Baat’: Modi calls for increasing water conservation efforts

    PM urges people to share ideas for ‘Mann ki Baat’

    Women carry body on cot in MP’s Rewa, hospital says no vehicle available

    Six bodies recovered from two houses in Jammu’s posh area (Ld)

    Huge scale of sexual violence endured in Ukraine emerges

    Girl attacked with blade for objecting to smoking

  • Canada
    • All
    • Alberta
    • British Columbia
    • Community
    • Immigration
    • Ontario
    • Québec
    QUESADA NOW SERVING THE OFFICIAL BURRITO OF CANADA SOCCER

    QUESADA NOW SERVING THE OFFICIAL BURRITO OF CANADA SOCCER

    Minister Sajjan announces $120-million sovereign loan offer on trip to Jordan

    Minister Sajjan concludes trip to Egypt and announces intention to contribute $10 million for climate-finance initiative

    man dunking the ball

    Decathlon Canada Opens New City Concept Store in Toronto’s Union Station

    young positive lady showing photos on smartphone to senior man while sitting at laptop

    Ontario’s Defined Benefit Pension Plans Continue to be Healthy Despite Current Economic Trends

    Downtrend In Canadian Home Sales; CREA Predicts Flattening Of Prices

    Canadian home sales slow further in July

    selective focus photography of people having a toast

    The Beer Store Expands Partnership with SkipTheDishes

    Air Canada Announces Longlist for Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2022

    Air Canada Announces Longlist for Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2022

    abundance achievement bank banknotes

    BCSC panel finds three B.C. residents defrauded investors of $600,000

    group of people huddling up

    Government of Canada funds projects for low-income adults

  • Business
    • All
    • Crypto
    • Employment
    • Insurance
    • Loans And Mortgages
    • Money
    • Real Estate
    QUESADA NOW SERVING THE OFFICIAL BURRITO OF CANADA SOCCER

    QUESADA NOW SERVING THE OFFICIAL BURRITO OF CANADA SOCCER

    man dunking the ball

    Decathlon Canada Opens New City Concept Store in Toronto’s Union Station

    Downtrend In Canadian Home Sales; CREA Predicts Flattening Of Prices

    Canadian home sales slow further in July

    selective focus photography of people having a toast

    The Beer Store Expands Partnership with SkipTheDishes

    group of people huddling up

    Government of Canada funds projects for low-income adults

    women recording podcast indoors

    Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada will help deliver capital to women entrepreneurs

    Staples Canada launches 17th annual School Supply Drive

    Staples Canada launches 17th annual School Supply Drive

    Celebrate A&W Canada’s 14th Annual burgers to beat MS day in Support of MS research

    Celebrate A&W Canada’s 14th Annual burgers to beat MS day in Support of MS research

    man welding round window frame

    Ontario Welcomes $14.8 Million Investment to Create Good-Paying Manufacturing Jobs

  • Lifestyle
    • All
    • Art And Culture
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Health
    • Horoscope
    • Matrimonial
    • Relationship Parenting
    • Travel
    Ajith to shoot in Arakku Valley for ‘#AK61’?

    Ajith to shoot in Arakku Valley for ‘#AK61’?

    ‘LOTR’ series drops special video describing Nuimenor as nautical society

    ‘LOTR’ series drops special video describing Nuimenor as nautical society

    As Mani Ratnam’s ‘Roja’ completes 30 years, A.R. Rahman says ‘that’s why I’m here’

    As Mani Ratnam’s ‘Roja’ completes 30 years, A.R. Rahman says ‘that’s why I’m here’

    Tovino Thomas’s biggest hit turns out to be ‘Thallumaala’

    Tovino Thomas’s biggest hit turns out to be ‘Thallumaala’

    ‘Jaldi nipta dena’: This is what Vicky told panditji at his wedding with Kat

    ‘Jaldi nipta dena’: This is what Vicky told panditji at his wedding with Kat

    Pulkit Bangia says ‘Kumkum Bhagya’ has been his life-changing break

    Pulkit Bangia says ‘Kumkum Bhagya’ has been his life-changing break

    Delhi executive fails to become Crorepati, but exits ‘KBC’ with Rs 75L

    Delhi executive fails to become Crorepati, but exits ‘KBC’ with Rs 75L

    Debina Bonnerjee, Gurmeet Choudhary expecting second baby

    Debina Bonnerjee, Gurmeet Choudhary expecting second baby

    ‘House of the Dragon’ receives thumbs up from B-town celebs

    ‘House of the Dragon’ receives thumbs up from B-town celebs

  • Auto
    light city road street

    2023 Mazda3 and Mazda3 Sport: Pricing and Packaging

    Polestar electric concept planned to enter production as Polestar 6

    Polestar electric concept planned to enter production as Polestar 6

    The Bentley Mulliner Batur; the most extraordinary grand tourer yet

    The Bentley Mulliner Batur; the most extraordinary grand tourer yet

    New U.S. Electric Vehicle Credit Proposal Puts Canada Back in Play

    New U.S. Electric Vehicle Credit Proposal Puts Canada Back in Play

    Mazda CX-60 Crossover SUV Unveiled in Europe

    Mazda CX-60 Crossover SUV Unveiled in Europe

    Ford F-150 Raptor R  – High-Performance Off-Roading

    Ford F-150 Raptor R  – High-Performance Off-Roading

    automobile automotive black and white blur

    Mercedes-Benz expands battery Partnership

    pexels-photo-12040980.jpeg

    BMW Group backs sustainable packaging

    photo of white car parked on roadside

    Volvo Cars and Starbucks partnership for charging stations in US

  • Tech
    • All
    • Science
    iOS 16, iPadOS 16 announced with major updates

    New entry-level iPad, M2 iPad Pro may arrive in October

    WeWork co-founder’s startup gets unicorn status even before launch

    WeWork co-founder’s startup gets unicorn status even before launch

    China heat wave hits Apple, Toyota suppliers as production halted

    China heat wave hits Apple, Toyota suppliers as production halted

    CoinSwitch Kuber temporarily disables rupee deposits

    Galaxy Digital’s $1.2 bn kill deal absurd, seek $100 mn in damages: BitGo

    Baby Jesus resembles Mark Zuckerberg in US museum, goes viral

    Baby Jesus resembles Mark Zuckerberg in US museum, goes viral

    Bhavish Aggarwal denies Ola planning merger with Uber

    Can Bhavish Aggarwal pull off his electric car dream amid harsh ground realities?

    Meta expands Horizon Worlds metaverse to more European countries

    Meta expands Horizon Worlds metaverse to more European countries

    Ratan Tata invests in startup that connects the elderly with young graduates

    Ratan Tata invests in startup that connects the elderly with young graduates

    Microsoft paying hundreds of millions in bribes, claims whistleblower

    More users attacked via old Microsoft Office vulnerability in Q2: Report

  • Sports
    • All
    • Badminton
    • Baseball
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Football
    • Golf
    • IPL
    • MMA
    • Olympics
    • Tennis
    QUESADA NOW SERVING THE OFFICIAL BURRITO OF CANADA SOCCER

    QUESADA NOW SERVING THE OFFICIAL BURRITO OF CANADA SOCCER

    Very special to be named South Africa’s Men’s Cricketer of the Year: Keshav Maharaj

    Very special to be named South Africa’s Men’s Cricketer of the Year: Keshav Maharaj

    ICC needs to put more time in ensuring survival of ODI, Test cricket: Kapil Dev

    ICC needs to put more time in ensuring survival of ODI, Test cricket: Kapil Dev

    MCC unlikely to offer free entry to spectators on Day 5 of England-South Africa Test

    MCC unlikely to offer free entry to spectators on Day 5 of England-South Africa Test

    Suryakumar finally scores big on Windies tour as India win by seven wickets in 3rd T20I

    Suryakumar Yadav should be in India’s playing XI for T20 World Cup: Ponting

    SLC officials seek Rs. 2 bn damages from Arjuna Ranatunga for alleged loss of reputation

    SLC officials seek Rs. 2 bn damages from Arjuna Ranatunga for alleged loss of reputation

    Maharaja Trophy: Luvnith Sisodia keeps Hubli Tigers in the hunt

    Maharaja Trophy: Luvnith Sisodia keeps Hubli Tigers in the hunt

    Afghanistan name squad for 2022 Asia Cup, Shinwari returns

    Afghanistan name squad for 2022 Asia Cup, Shinwari returns

    Rohit terms embracing new batting approach as biggest takeaway from T20I series

    Asia Cup 2022: India are firm favourites, but Pakistan can beat them, says Salman Butt

  • Food
    • All
    • Cooking Recipes
    • Food Shows
    • Restaurant Reviews
    • Zaika
    QUESADA NOW SERVING THE OFFICIAL BURRITO OF CANADA SOCCER

    QUESADA NOW SERVING THE OFFICIAL BURRITO OF CANADA SOCCER

    selective focus photography of people having a toast

    The Beer Store Expands Partnership with SkipTheDishes

    Air Canada Announces Longlist for Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2022

    Air Canada Announces Longlist for Canada’s Best New Restaurants 2022

    Celebrate A&W Canada’s 14th Annual burgers to beat MS day in Support of MS research

    Celebrate A&W Canada’s 14th Annual burgers to beat MS day in Support of MS research

    meal in bowl

    Amazing and Easy vegan Red lentil & mushroom soup

    noodles soup with meat on bowl

    Yummy Vegan Eggplant lentil curry Recipe

    Canadian Prefer To Say Cheers To Beer!

    Canadian Prefer To Say Cheers To Beer!

    green apple beside of two clear glass jars

    5 Nutritionist-recommended juices for healthy lifestyle

    Iconic Canadian coffee brand Tim Hortons opens in New Delhi

    Iconic Canadian coffee brand Tim Hortons opens in New Delhi

No Result
View All Result
Weekly Voice
No Result
View All Result
Home Lifestyle Entertainment

Sound Stories: Tuneful tales of human life and love ( Column: Bookends)

by Voice
June 26, 2022
in Entertainment, Lifestyle
Reading Time: 9 mins read
Sound Stories: Tuneful tales of human life and love ( Column: Bookends)
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

 

Written language was still to evolve, the audio-visual medium would only develop centuries later, so humanity only had verses to tell their stories, explain their world, and describe their experiences. Be the focus religious or moral, or dealing with more earthly considerations such as life and love, it could encompass all to provide an insightful look into the human condition.

Many millennia later, the form still holds its ground. Many of us have become habituated to books or the many available forms of audio-visual expression for our stories, but we tend to ignore the spoken, or rather, sung form, which our ancestors depended upon. Audiobooks don’t count!

This, though, is still one very popular form of story-telling we tend to ignore — from the story point of view. That is the pop/rock ballad of the western musical tradition.

Songs — of the western or Indian film type — can be pretty situational, but there are many by a wide range of popular singers, right from the Beatles to the Eagles, Bruce Springsteen, Phil Collins, Mark Knopfler and others, that can serve as a self-contained story in themselves.

They obviously might not be akin to a novel, but can easily qualify as the equivalent of a short story, or, maybe even a novella in their depictions of the human condition. Music videos, as they evolved in the MTV era, strengthened this aspect by tying in especially commissioned imagery based on the lyrics to heighten the effect, rather than just showing the singer performing.

Let us look around for some examples.

Bill Haley and His Comets, whose “Rock Around the Clock” (1954), became the first rock-and-roll song to top the US charts, created a slightly bittersweet love story with “See You Later, Alligator” (1956).

Based on “Later, Alligator”, written and recorded by Louisiana songwriter Robert Charles Guidry aka Bobby Charles a year earlier, it chronicles the interaction between a man and his girlfriend after he discovers her walking with another man.

“When I asked her what’s the matter / This is what I heard her say / See you later alligator, after ‘while crocodile / Can’t you see you’re in my way now / Don’t you know you cramp my style.”

Can this dialogue be bettered? And to know what happened next, hear the song.

It is difficult to write about Western music in the latter half of the 20th century without mentioning the Beatles.

One of the iconic numbers from their seventh and final studio album, ‘Revolver’ (1966), which is seen as marking the beginning of their psychedelic phase, begins like a old-fashioned adventure story: “In the town where I was born / Lived a man who sailed to sea / And he told us of his life / In the land of submarines.”

As “Yellow Submarine” progresses, it veers into some surreal and dreamlike imagery: “And our friends are all aboard / Many more of them live next door / And the band begins to play.”

Formed in the early 1970s, The Eagles went on to become one of the most popular rock bands ever, especially due to the vivid images that some of their hits, such as the fantasy-like “Seven Bridges Road”, the soft but poignant romantic song “Peaceful, Easy Feeling”, and the angst-ridden “Heartache Tonight” conjured up in the minds of their listeners.

The most memorable song, of course, has to be “Hotel California” (1977), with its uniquely dark imagery reaching nightmarish proportions towards its end. The song was even attacked for its “Satanic overtones”, but the band members strongly denied it, saying it was only to represent the dark side of contemporary American life.

Band member Glen Frey devised a scenario of a person who, tired after a long-distance drive through the desert, saw a place to stop for the night, but entered “a weird world peopled by freaky characters”, and became “quickly spooked by the claustrophobic feeling of being caught in a disturbing web from which he may never escape”.

He said he and band colleague and co-writer Don Henley wanted the song “to open like an episode of the Twilight Zone”, and make the character experience a new version of reality through any door he walked through.

Hear it again with this in mind.

‘The Boss’ Bruce Springsteen is known as among the pioneers of the “heartland rock style”, combining mainstream rock with songs about working-class American life with poetic, socially conscious lyrics. “Born in the USA” (1984) brought him to fame, with the song being deemed to be a tribute to the country, but it is actually a scathing indictment of American state policy and society, seen through the viewpoint of an embittered returning soldier from Vietnam.

But let us focus on the stark social and emotional alienation, the ephemeral relations and the cruel indifference that are a feature of contemporary urban milieus, as rendered in the title track of his 1992 album “Human Touch”.

Right from the uncompromising message of “Girl, ain’t no kindness in the face of strangers / Ain’t gonna find no miracles here / Well, you can wait on your blessin’s, my darlin’ / I got a deal for you right here” to the some more despondent words ahead: “Ain’t no mercy on the streets of this town / Ain’t no bread from heavenly skies / Ain’t nobody drawin’ wine from this blood / It’s just you and me tonight.”

ADVERTISEMENT

What the deal entails is subsequently sketched — though the title offers a clue.

Paul David Hewson aka Bono, the frontman of U2, is also known for his socially conscious lyrics, which are steeped in both rebellious and religious imagery — like this song from the group’s 1992 album “Achtung Baby”.

“Is it getting better? / Or do you feel the same? / Will it make it easier on you now? / You got someone to blame,” begins “One”, and it then goes on to ask: “Have you come here for forgiveness? / Have you come to raise the dead? / Have you come here to play Jesus? / To the lepers in your head.”

“One” can be treated as a parable about modern-day relationships, which can be tenuous sometimes despite the protestations of solidity and permanence, the immediate trigger were the tensions within the band, during the recordings in a Berlin studio, over the direction and quality of its work, and the recent German reunification.

How the song, which arose from improvisations, restored the band’s cohesion is a story in itself.

Talking about the song over a decade later, Bono said: “There was melancholy about it but there was also strength. ‘One’ is not about oneness, it’s about difference. It’s not the old hippie idea of ‘let’s all live together’. It is a much more punk rock concept. It’s anti-romantic: ‘We are one but not the same. We get to carry each other.’ It’s a reminder that we have no choice.”

Then there is Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start The Fire” (1989), which encapsulates 100 key points of global — though predominantly American — history; Mark Knopfler’s (And The Dire Straits) “Brothers in Arms” (1985), about the senselessness of war; Richard Marx’s “Hazard” (1992), about the disappearance of a woman and the social outcast with a dark past who is blamed; and Phil Collins’ (and the band Genesis) “Something Happened on the Way to Heaven” (1992) about a dog’s encounter with the band. And there are many more.

If you haven’t heard these, start now. If you have heard one or more, hear them again — with your imagination full on.

(Vikas Datta can contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)

  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp

Related Posts

Ajith to shoot in Arakku Valley for ‘#AK61’?
Entertainment

Ajith to shoot in Arakku Valley for ‘#AK61’?

August 17, 2022
‘LOTR’ series drops special video describing Nuimenor as nautical society
Entertainment

‘LOTR’ series drops special video describing Nuimenor as nautical society

August 17, 2022
‘Jaldi nipta dena’: This is what Vicky told panditji at his wedding with Kat
Entertainment

‘Jaldi nipta dena’: This is what Vicky told panditji at his wedding with Kat

August 17, 2022
Pulkit Bangia says ‘Kumkum Bhagya’ has been his life-changing break
Entertainment

Pulkit Bangia says ‘Kumkum Bhagya’ has been his life-changing break

August 17, 2022
Delhi executive fails to become Crorepati, but exits ‘KBC’ with Rs 75L
Entertainment

Delhi executive fails to become Crorepati, but exits ‘KBC’ with Rs 75L

August 17, 2022
Debina Bonnerjee, Gurmeet Choudhary expecting second baby
Entertainment

Debina Bonnerjee, Gurmeet Choudhary expecting second baby

August 17, 2022
Load More
‘LOTR’ series drops special video describing Nuimenor as nautical society
Entertainment

‘LOTR’ series drops special video describing Nuimenor as nautical society

August 17, 2022
Ajith to shoot in Arakku Valley for ‘#AK61’?
Entertainment

Ajith to shoot in Arakku Valley for ‘#AK61’?

August 17, 2022
Debina Bonnerjee, Gurmeet Choudhary expecting second baby
Entertainment

Debina Bonnerjee, Gurmeet Choudhary expecting second baby

August 17, 2022
Pulkit Bangia says ‘Kumkum Bhagya’ has been his life-changing break
Entertainment

Pulkit Bangia says ‘Kumkum Bhagya’ has been his life-changing break

August 17, 2022
Tovino Thomas’s biggest hit turns out to be ‘Thallumaala’
Entertainment

Tovino Thomas’s biggest hit turns out to be ‘Thallumaala’

August 17, 2022
Angelina Jolie draws attention to atrocities on Afghan women after Taliban takeover
Entertainment

Angelina Jolie draws attention to atrocities on Afghan women after Taliban takeover

August 17, 2022
  • ABOUT US
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • DISCLAIMER
  • COMMUNITY GUIDELINES
  • CONTACT
Reach Us: 9057950639 Info@weeklyvoice.com

Copyright © 2021. All Rights Reserved By weeklyvoice.com

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Canada
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Auto
  • Tech
  • Sports
  • Food

Copyright © 2021. All Rights Reserved By weeklyvoice.com

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist