Comments on: Crank That Hit! : Embracing Contradictions

By: Kanye Puts Us on Love Lockdown

Kanye Puts Us on Love Lockdown — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:34:23 +0000

[...] Note: This post discusses Kanye West’s performance of “Love Lockdown” at the Video Music Awards. For my review of the single, please go here. [...]

By: Collin H

Collin H — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 02:16:51 +0000

That Kanye song sounds a lot like Daft Punk. I definitely see what you mean about the whole emptiness vibe. It’s not at all what I expected from Kanye.

Reel Big Fish has lots of great examples of contradictory music. Take “Don’t Start a Band” for example.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPxlenE-kic

Possibly the angriest song about the music industry by a band that specializes in angry songs about the music industry, it lyrics are full of righteous indignation. Juxtaposed against the words is a boisterous tune and a video full of humor. Angry and happy at the same time.

By: Mark Blankenship

Mark Blankenship — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:13:53 +0000

You know, “Truth No. 2″ is one of those songs I didn’t really “hear” for a while. I’d have it on in the background, think, “Oh, that’s nice,” and then play “We Are Water” again.

But then one day I really paid attention to the lyrics, and they totally owned me. I love Patty Griffin’s writing when she turns the lens of her insight on herself, you know? In this song or “Tony” or even “Rain,” she acknowledges her responsibility for the problems she sees. It takes an awful lot of wisdom to do that (and then set it to a nice melody.)

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:55:33 +0000

“We can all engage in deep thinking, and it wonâ€™t make us jerks. Thoughtfulness isnâ€™t just the province of a special group, but the birthright of all people. I want the community on this site to embody the fact that thinking isnâ€™t elitist.”
The most noble goal I’ve heard set by anyone in maybe, like, ten years, homeslice.
Songs about contradiction. I like the Avett Brothers “My Last Song to Jenny”–even the title sounds like it’s eventually (probably) going to be contradicted. But the best part of the song is the part that one of my friends said made him almost drive into a tree: “I want to live, and I want you live, happy and free/ but I don’t know how to separate the now from what used to be.” Classic stuff, wanting to let go, not being able to…you know how it is: true. And speaking of truth, I also love the line in Patty Griffin’s song “Truth No. 2″: “I’m just so scared all the time/makes me one more reason/ why the world’s dangerous,” which sounds contradictory, but might be the most accurate summation of the fearmongering our government is perpetuating I’ve ever heard.

By: Mark Blankenship

Mark Blankenship — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:45:38 +0000

I also love the Kiki & Herb cover. To me, “No Children” is the perfect Kiki & Herb song.

And I don’t know that Annie Lennox song, but now I will find it.

By: TRAYB

TRAYB — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:38:45 +0000

I love “No Children” too! But I especially love the cover by Kiki & Herb, which is just so dark and giddy. You can buy it on iTunes.

As for contradictions, listen to Annie Lennox sing “Wonderful,” which is one of my all-time favorites. Perfectly captures the up-and-down-and-up-again of some relationships. Make that, most relationships.