This is Amelia's comment. I'm just moving it into its best location. ;)
Hi, This is Amelia here! I am listening to Streetlight Manifesto! The only song I have happens to be Point/Counterpoint, so if any one could burn me a CD or email me some more songs of theirs that would be great! Actually please don't email them, because I have spent a week trying to download the last songs someone emailed me and I still haven't successfully downloaded more than the first few seconds. Excessively frustrating. Anyways I stole Mia's iPod on the plain and listened to quite a few of their songs. I really like them. They are kind of rock/ska/alternative. Not exactly the most cheerful lyrics I must say. I love the contrast between the hard guitar and drums with the un-cheerful lyrics and the fun and upbeat trumpet pieces! It is like a Mariache (someone please inform me on how to spell this word) band. Point/Counterpoint is AWESOME. It is kind of a play off on Keasby Nights. It has a lot of the same tune and the lyrics are very similar.
The leader of Streetlight Manifesto (I think) was talking once about Point/Counterpoint. He talked about how it almost has a tiny bit of a nursery-rhyme feel to it, which it does if yo listen closely! The begginging is very much like a little kid's song, like a nursery rhyme! With the light strumming guitar and the tune. (the lyrics however are "I have got a gun in my hand... With a vest on my chest and a bullet in my lungs..." Not exactly nursery-rhyme material. but the choice of lyrics, like "I can't stop staring at the TICK-TOCK CLOCK" Very nursery-rhyme-esque. And after the intro it get's into some very upbeat and danceable kind-of rock music. And then trumpet's only, and that is also danceable and awesome. Very catchy tune. The protagonist in the song is waiting by the telephone staring at the clock, he has a gun in his hand but the trigger seems locked. And he is thinking about how he is going to die... Apparently someone is going to come and shoot him. He is awaiting his death. So in the begging it is sort of slow and almost calm, in a kind of silent and quavering way... Like he is trying to be calm and think it over rationally, and then he realizes he is going to die and he is kind of angry and his tone get's kind of harsh. And then with the trumpets and guitars... I mean wow, he is going to die! So he is furious and full of sorrow... But he is also kind of elated, if that makes any sense. Do you know what I am saying? I mean he is kind of laughing at it, like, Wow, I am going to die? Did I ever expect it would be like this? WOW. I guess I never gave it much though until now... And then this part:" And the days and the day they seem like forever... And the days and the days they seem like forever. BUT FOREVER ISN'T EVER ENOUGH! " Too true: the time just drags by and it feel like it is torture. You just WANT SOMETHING TO HAPPEN. But then when what seems like forever is almost over you realize you have spent the entire time complaining about how this was taking so long and suddenly you are out of time and you are facing down the muzzle of a gun, metaphorically in our everyday lives, literally in the song.
See the problem with my schedule is I did nothing but Social World in school today, and tonight I have done nothing but listening and blogging pretty much. Is that okay, to have a few really long and detailed blogs instead of a lot of short ones?
Hi Amelia, I'm loving your thoughts so far. Sounds like a verrrry interesting band. You write eloquently about Point/Counterpoint. I hope you'll bring it in soon and play it for us as a listening example.
It's FINE to write fewer long comments rather than lots of brief comments. If you want to be safe (i.e. not lose the comment due to an internet glitch or blogger error), type the comments in a Word doc (you can also edit/spell-check them there) rather than typing them straight into blogger.
The band has a very interesting name. Where did it get its name? Does it have to do with the band's past, or anything like that? I know that Sting got his name from his past.
That was cool about Sting! I remember that... I really don't know (it is a cool name though.) And Hannah, a little too late for that! I just typed a long comment in your's but then it had an ERROR PROCESSING REQUEST. God Forbid. So now I have a rather succinct comment because I wasn't about to type the WHOLE thing again. I will type a longer comment on your's soon.
By the way where was I posting mine before? I posted it under "comments" in "Amelia". I think. I am not sure. Never mind, well I hope I am typing in the right place now.
My new favorite song is Forty Days. The music is awesome!!! I love the tune, it is extremely (choke, gasp... catchy... Though I believe my soul will rot in hell for saying that!) The lyrics to the song are rather pessimistic. The chorus is: And no matter where we go, we are not alone, when the silence turns to cries of why-y-y, what a way to begin, we inherit sin, and nobodies gonna quench your thirst when the well runs dry, well runs dry, and nobodies gonna hold your hand on the day you die. Speaking of souls rotting in hell... I really like the song though... Not exactly something to cheer me up on a rainy day, or listen to right before I go to sleep but... Yeah. I am not even quite sure what it is about, though I have listened to it a few times and read the lyrics over a bit. I love how streetlight manifesto uses the trumpets! The singer has a really rough voice, and he is always singing these really depressing lyrics, and then there is this really happy, upbeat trumpet, which is awesome! At the end of the song, the last chorus, the tune is like that of a music box. It slows down gradually and gets quiet, and then stops. So there are three parts: the really harsh lyrics and vocals, the upbeat and glorious trumpet, and then there is this other element: the kind of dieing innocence. In "Point/Counterpoint" this is the "Nursery rhyme" feel to it, in "Forty Days" it is the "Music Box" feel. It gives the song so much more depth and interest.
Seriously, you HAVE to listen to Would You Be Impressed? It's my favorite of their songs. (That, or A Moment of Silence. Which, by the way, you also have to listen to.) It's one of the more loud and defiant ones, and also has a fairly random disease metaphor. Plus there are no swears, which is suprisingly rare in this band, so it would be pretty good for a music example.
I looked them up and got the names. I like Would You Be Impressed. My current favorite is One Foot on the Gas, and One Foot In The Grave. It is awesome! "We might just make it after all--On our one-- We just might make it after all." Streetlight Manifesto's lyrics are really a lot deeper than I expected. They are really interesting if you take the time to read the lyrics online a few times over.
I can't wait to hear this band!! They sound reeeeeally interesting. One of the things I like about the Stretch Project is that I always find a few new good musicians from my students!
Streetlight Manifesto was formed four years ago in New Jersey. It's band members each have different backgrounds, and they originally cam together to make one album and then disappear, but they have been remarkably successful. Initially Streetlight Manifesto was a full time world touring band, but they still travel a lot. They are officially "Ska," but they integrate latin, klezmer, folk, world, jazz, funk, and classical into their music. Their first album was "Somewhere in The Between."
I posted this on Sarah's, and it was SUPER long. So I will move it to mine instead: What are the lyrics of your songs about? mine are less... I don't know "You left me and now I am sad and I am going to WHINE about it, but if I WHINE about it and the lyrics rhyme then it is a song and people will PAY TO LISTEN TO ME WHINE ABOUT MY TRAGIC LOVE LIFE." types of songs... I would say I really hate those songs but i don't... Just about all music is like that, actually. But I do like the way Streetlight Manifesto isn't all about love. I mean it isn't even love those songs are about... It is just... Liking someone for there exterior, for there appearance or because they have a lot of friends or something... Love is being willing to die for someone. Love is caring for someone because you feel that they are a really good person, because they treat you nicely and are supportive of you and care about you too. Most songs are just... Careless. They are about not having someone there to complain, so they complain to us about everything and put it to music. We have our own problems, we don't need to listen to that kind of stuff. I like music that is inspiring: that let's people know that other people are in the exact situation that they are... Songs with lyrics that say stuff like if you love someone and they don't love you back, that is not a reflection of you. that is just a reflection of them and if they don't see what is beautiful about you then you should find someone who appreciates you better. Or songs that say that you are more than just how you appear, and that you can rise above just your appearance and what is expected of you and show your true self.
Streetlight Manifesto's songs are about screwing up your life, and then either dying or thinking about dying, and being at the gates of hell or something. And about how when you have screwed your life up this much there is nothing you can do. Forty Days: "What a way to begin, we inherit sin, and nobodies gonna quench your thirst when the well runs dry, well runs dry, and nobodies gonna hold your hand on the day you die... And I have tasted seven sins, so they won't let me in, I knock knock knock till my knuckles are bruised and raw, standing in the middle with my blood in a puddle on the floor... What a waste, so many decent people at the gates." Point Counterpoint: "If and when I die won't you bury me alone cuz I'll never get to heaven if I'm singing this song... Your bleeding pretty bad, and you can't stop thinking about the things you never had like a wife and a kid and the things I never did..." One Foot on the Gas, One Foot in The grave: "And they gave us seven days, to renounce our wicked ways, too late to make amends, cuz we both know how this ends." Yeah, real cheerful-I know. But there are a lot of good lyrics too, I mean they are really interesting if you think about them, like "We made our beds, we'll judge ourselves." It's like the expression: "If you make your bed sleep in it." You have to live with the consequences of your own actions, and you shouldn't be waiting for some kind of divine providence to tell you you are doing things right and make you feel better, or to smite you and punish you for your sins or something. You have to judge yourself. You have to know what is right and wrong for YOU.
I love the lyrics of "One foot in the gas, one foot in the grave." Like "So, do the right thing, or do nothing (what will you do when they come for?) Or just do what is easier (what will you do when they come for you?) That is what I read, what I swear they said to me Nine times out of ten they lied to me And after all they had the gall to say 'Son, no one will save you now.'" A lot of Streetlight Manifesto songs are about religion. That the religion is saying "Do the right thing, or do nothing, or just do what is easier..." And That is what they read in the bible, and that is what they say, but nine times out of ten they were lying, and after all that lying to him and after all those ridiculous kind of messages they have the guts to say "Son, no one will save you now." Sometimes I feel kind of the same way about religion. They tell you one thing, and all the messages in the bible tell you that, and then they act strictly against their own morals! And then when you do something minor they have the guts to say that you are not going to be accepted by their God. As if you would want to anyways. It just bothers me. NOT SAYING ANYONE'S RELIGION IS LIKE THIS. It is just when people are preaching peace, and acceptance of each other, and love for everyone, and then if you don't agree with that then you are wrong, and we will have to enforce this opinion on you. Or killing in the name of peace. Or stuff like "All people are equal" and then labeling animals as not people, and black people as not people, and everyone of a different religion as not people. It REALLY bugs me. This is more about our history, and about the Bush administration and stuff... I really don't mean to offend anyone. No one I know has a religion like this. Another line I like from "One foot on the gas, one foot in the grave." is "Nothing will be broken if your house is made of stone, but you know as I d it will never be a home." I love this line. I mean if never love anyone, if you are just cold and uncaring nothing can break your heart. Nothing will hurt you, but it will never be real. You won't be able to experience the sad things, but you won't be able to experience the good things either. What is the point then? I think a lot of people are like this nowadays: they have experienced so much pain that they have turned their hearts to stone. They just pretend to be tough, like nothing can hurt them. But they can never be happy, or whole that way either.
Ha ha. Try 150 sentences. But its good that you're chatting about your music. It's good that you have something to talk about!!! :-) Amelia, I'm glad you like your music. Streetlight Manifesto sounds really interesting. I can't help asking...is there a history behind the artist's name? Last time I checked, I don't believe there are many bands or people named Streetlight Manifesto. It's an interesting name. Did they break streelights or something? Where they particularly found of Streetlights? Hmm...I wonder. I like the origins of names, as you can tell, and I like seeing the meaning behind them. Some people name their children because maybe there's a relative that they love and they want to name their children after, like an Aunt Lucy or something. Maybe they name the child after something they love. Like, for instance, Juniper. Maybe there was an old juniper tree in their backyard in their childhood and they loved to climb it in their spare time and read...I don't know. Well, anyway, it just sounds interesting to me.
Okay, Amelia, now I know what you're talking about with the one sentence thing. The time flies away when you're typing things...anyways, have fun with your music! Enjoy! :-)
Just so I don't keep going on and on about random things like that, I made my own blog where I can just ramble about my life every day for a long time. And if I make it funny, then maybe other people will like to read it. I just call things like random names. Like our school I could write Stonehenge Childproof Mozzarella School, or something random like that. For people I either make up nicknames that their friends will get, but no one else will, or I put their blog names, if they have other blog names. I think I will make a fake name for everyone in the class, and then write stories about them. I will just make them real stories at first: just a day at school, but I will emphasize the funny things and leave out the boring stuff. That would be cool.
And also Cadence to answer your question I have no idea why the are called Streetlight Manifesto. Nothing says on wikipedia or the band website. Thanks Cadence!I am going to do some more research on that... But it is eleven-thirty and I am pretty tired...
okay, Amelia, I'm interested in hearing the origin of your new blogger display name! You wax quite eloquent on many subjects in here! Very interesting commentary on the lyrics . . . tell me more about the music itself. Maybe an analysis of your favorite piece? What instruments are used? How do the instruments relate to the lyrics?
Oh, my new blogger display name is because Sage was telling me if I use my real name on my OWN blog they will come for me. And that I cannot put my age or my school or my location or any of my friends names, or they will come for all of us. For a better understanding of who THEY are, please contact Sage. Synthesia: Protein Synthesis, or when the rybozomes in the cytoplasm of an animal cell read the ribonucleic acid chains and use the information to construct chains of amino acids, and then fold the chains into protein molecules. That sounded a lot more obvious before I said (or typed) it out loud. Doxyro: Something similar to Deoxyribonucleic Acid. Deoxyribonucleic acid is formed from bases of Guanine, Adenine, Cytosine and Thymine, As opposed to Ribonucleic Acid which replaces Thymine with Uracil. Peregrine: It sounds really cool, and the Peregrine Falcon is also the fastest bird in the world.
Amelia you should seriously go to bed earlier! Anyways...like your new name. Hmmm... did you go onto wikipedia for the name thing? It's pretty cool that Streetlight Manifesto has their own website. But bands usually do. I should check out whether or not Paramore has a website. I should post this comment in my own section...anyway, thanks!
Well Streetlight uses basic acoustic and electric guitar, as well as the trumpets, which are super-tuff. And uber-fierce as well. The trumpets are wild and joyful like a Mexican Mariache band, which contrasts strongly to the cynical lyrics, yet still seems to smoothly blend with the music. i wish we had more stretch projects: I would want to do the Yale Accapella group, and Tokio Hotel (this is Maricela's favorite music, and YES it is completely in German and NO she doesn't speak any, but I happen to and this music rocks!)
Hi Amelia, feel free to do as many Stretch Projects on your own as you like!! I do them quite a bit myself, and not just with music. You can do them with new foods, a new genre of book, new language, etc. I enjoyed FINALLY hearing Streetlight Manifesto last week. The juxtaposition of jubilant brass sounds with dark lyrical content . . . that's reeeeally interesting.
I know! T-U-F-F right? Yay Streetlight!!! i would like to do a lot of mini-stretches, but my first few consumed some forty-plus iTunes gift-cards in record time, so I have no more itunes money. Sadness! I would like to do a Jason Mraz mini-stretch, but HE STOLE MY HAT, so I am feeling momentarily resentful. I am learning I'm Your's on guitar. Whee! The lyrics are pretty interesting. I like it. I cannot seem to switch from the last chord back to the first chord at all, and the last chord made some interesting things happen in my wrists (again, interesting as in "wow, blood, I don't remember cutting myself" or interesting as in "Wow. Extreme pain. Fascinating" rather than cool interesting.) I believe that I am holding the guitar wrong. Either that, or I am just so short that i am doomed to start crying every time I try to play a note that is too far over on the strings, because my fingers don't reach. I am hoping that I am just holding the guitar wrong.
IMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEM!!!!!!! Minus 21 of those 22 E's, and all seven exclamation points... Allright, I have absolutely NO CLUE what "imeem" is, but it let's you play music for free, and create play-lists and stuff. All you need is internet connection, but you can listen to anything you want for free. They have all the popular stuff, but they also have stuff that even iTunes doesn't have. Note: only use imeem if you have gmail. Gmail is able to sort spam wonderfully, and you will receive about thirty+ spam messages in your spam filter every twenty-four hours. But you don't have to read them, and none of them go through, so I think it is kind of worth it for the free music. You can do all the stretch projects you want. I am doing Tokio Hotel and Paramore now. I believe I will do Jason Mraz, and everyone's stretch project in MS and E2. Except for the ones wear the people have left one comment basically saying their music is so horrible they couldn't be paid a million dollars to listen to it and they are getting headaches... I will not listen to that.
Amelia, i am just answering your question you asked me on cadences blog. the songs are mostly in engish i watched a music video of theirs and it was in a different language but i don't think it is on the album i am litening to. the songs i guess they are mosly religios if you say the one i posted was. :)
Hi Amelia, I was wondering if your music was a time of day what would it be?.......... I say that because i am staring at a clock and also I think it's a good question that is not asked everyday.
Thanks for joining my blog Nina! Do you like songs in other languages, or do you prefer being able to understand things better? Are the music videos good? What is the title of the album your are listening to? I looked "Celtic Women" up in my dad's library, and it came up with about twenty results, none of which seemed to be your artist. Do you like religious songs? It is interesting that your music is, because my music is extremely against religion... That isn't true. Streetlight Manifesto's music is not against religion, it is just against religions that preach a lot, but never actually practice what they preach. And religions that use violence for the sake of peace, or discriminate against people because they do not follow Jesus's beliefs, when Jesus's beliefs were clearly and openly opposed to discrimination of any kind. Apologies. I did not personally know Jesus. I have not studied history or religion extensively at all, and I am not fit to make such a harsh judgment. But I for one am infuriated by the idea of millions of people following the teaching's of a violent and discriminatory Christ. I wish to assume the best of these people, and therefore assume that they have devoted their lives to following the teaching's of a peaceful and accepting man, who was selfless and wished only for equality and compassion amongst all of mankind. As far as I am concerned, this leaves Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, black people, Asians, Hispanics... all as human beings. As human beings, according to what I believe Jesus's teachings to be, the minorities and people who differ from us vastly, are being mistreated by quite a few religious groups. So I definitely agree with the principles of these religions, but the way they are carried out angers me, and it pains me to think that we should go so strongly against Jesus's will and claim that our actions are in his name. Streetlight Manifesto is merely giving voice to this same pain and anger at the injustices of some religions. With the aid of a few swears and some electric guitar, that is...
And as for Maddy's question?
* .* ..* ...* ....* .....* ......* ****NINE IN THE AFTERNOON**** !!!
it is quite a shame I am not listening to Panic at the Disco. If that were the case it would be an astounding coincidence and I would be thrilled. Thanks for commenting on my blog!
Although that is a great song is that the real time your music is? It would be a good genre to listen to but Don't you listen to it already? (that wasn't supposed to be rude.)
Hi Amelia, I'm thrilled you like Streetlight so much, but I'm even more thrilled that you get the meaning behind it, I think some people might assume that it's just some loud, angry punk music that's sending out either bad messages or no messages at all. But when you listen to it a lot, you see the complex meanings behind the lyrics, and even the way they're sung. Like in 'One Foot On The Gas' (which you mentioned was your favorite) one singer sings in a mellow, accepting voice: 'Let's make amends, cause we both know how this ends' and the other lead singer with the scratchier voice comes in on 'We both know how this ends' yelling and indignant, like he knows how it ends but he wants to change it, or else just protest. I love Streetlight Manifesto because their music makes a real statement about religion, like you said, but also just life in general. Many of the songs have messages of living in the moment but keeping level-headed, of enjoying life and living to the fullest because you've only got one chance.I think this is wise. One line I like is, in 'Down Down Down to Mephisto's Cafe', (by the way, does anyone know who Mephisto is?)"Don't crack, cause you might not make it back, and if you do you'll be alone and you, can't live like that. well I know, when I'm wrong, and I sure as *heck* ain't wrong, this time..." I don't know why exactly, but this part sticks in my head. Could be the tune or the meaning, I don't really know. I think it means not to throw everything away in a panic instead of working things out, because they won't be the same again, Or something like that. Streetlight Manifesto has so much meaning it sometimes makes my head hurt, and I think if it weren't for the epic catchiness and the ska-trumpet awesomeness I might find it tiresome eventually and turn on some bugglegum-pop artist with nonsense lyrics just to relax my brain. but as it happens, the meaningfulness is elegantly twisted into references and adages with a biting edge to them, and on top of all that, it's wicked to dance to. What a band, huh? I hope you keep enjoying them. :-) Mia
Sorry to burst your bubble Mia, but I am pretty sure it is "Too late to make amends, 'CUZ WE BOTH KNOW HOW THIS ENDS!" But I am not positive. I will check. Sorry, it is "Too late." I am just happy there are still optimists like you in this world Mia. Haha...
Mephistopheless is one of the chief demons of European literacy. And Mia, I like that part too. And by the way, thank you a MILLION times over for recommending Streetlight. I am now the biggest Streetlight Manifesto fan EVER. Maybe not, I could be lying. But I ASPIRE to be the greatest Streetlight Manifesto fan ever, so I have to get some credit for trying...
Amelia, Your welcome! I like being able to understand what they are singing but it is kind of neat litening to it in a different language. The music videos are ok but i never finish watching them. The album is called-walking in air.
Oh. "TOO LATE to make amends." hehe. Well, actually, I think that works too, just as well. There's a certain radical satisfaction in just accepting that things are totally going down the drain. "There ain't no turnin' back, when your train is off the track, and there's nothin' we can do but WATCH IT CRASH!" Also, you're welcome a million times for recommending Streetlight. Good luck in your quest to become the greatest Streetlight fan ever. I"m right behind you. :-)
I think my Music is... 3:54 AM. In actuality. I only have I Write Sins Not Tragedies. Nothing else. I have head nine in the afternooon a couple times, but the only lyrics I know are "Nine in the afternoon, your eyes are the size of the moon, you could something something LA-LA-LA! Let us pretend, that I know the words, to this SONG!"(Sung to the tune of P.A.T.D.'s N.I.T.A.) I am incredibly talented at memorizing lyrics VERY quickly, with the exception of when I am supposed to be memorizing them. But I am also incredibly talented at PRETENDING to know the lyrics to songs, even when it is rather apparent that I do not. I am good at predicting words that will rhyme, and the words that will follow and proceed these lyrics, and also, I am good at just making up random gobbledigook (yes, this is the correct spelling of that) that sounds rather like the English language when shouted loudly to a tune. Unfortunately, this is one of those talents that is useful for only one purpose: when someone is telling you to "Stop that infernal racket this instant" you can reply "I can't help it. I am just TALENTED."
Thanks Nina! On the one hand I really LOVE different languages and I really LOVE different cultures, so it is great to listen to different languages, but then again I really want to know what they are saying because some music is political, and some is religious, and some is sad, and some is really happy, and some is like a rage-full rant, while other songs are like poetry, and other music is just kind of funny and entertaining, so it is really fun to be able to understand the lyric to songs...
Just wondering - why do you change your name? It's a little confusing. No offense. Amelia you should listen to Panic! At the Disco. They're a nice band. Hi, Nina!
Oh and I'm glad you like your music. It's so nice that everyone's liking their music this stretch. Yay!!!! :-D Happy face. Hannah, if you're here, when does the stretch end? You know what, I'll just ask you on your blog...:-D
This is Amelia's comment. I'm just moving it into its best location. ;)
ReplyDeleteHi, This is Amelia here! I am listening to Streetlight Manifesto! The only song I have happens to be Point/Counterpoint, so if any one could burn me a CD or email me some more songs of theirs that would be great! Actually please don't email them, because I have spent a week trying to download the last songs someone emailed me and I still haven't successfully downloaded more than the first few seconds. Excessively frustrating. Anyways I stole Mia's iPod on the plain and listened to quite a few of their songs. I really like them. They are kind of rock/ska/alternative. Not exactly the most cheerful lyrics I must say. I love the contrast between the hard guitar and drums with the un-cheerful lyrics and the fun and upbeat trumpet pieces! It is like a Mariache (someone please inform me on how to spell this word) band. Point/Counterpoint is AWESOME. It is kind of a play off on Keasby Nights. It has a lot of the same tune and the lyrics are very similar.
Again, I'm just moving Amelia's comment:
ReplyDeleteThe leader of Streetlight Manifesto (I think) was talking once about Point/Counterpoint. He talked about how it almost has a tiny bit of a nursery-rhyme feel to it, which it does if yo listen closely! The begginging is very much like a little kid's song, like a nursery rhyme! With the light strumming guitar and the tune. (the lyrics however are "I have got a gun in my hand... With a vest on my chest and a bullet in my lungs..." Not exactly nursery-rhyme material. but the choice of lyrics, like "I can't stop staring at the TICK-TOCK CLOCK" Very nursery-rhyme-esque. And after the intro it get's into some very upbeat and danceable kind-of rock music. And then trumpet's only, and that is also danceable and awesome. Very catchy tune.
The protagonist in the song is waiting by the telephone staring at the clock, he has a gun in his hand but the trigger seems locked. And he is thinking about how he is going to die... Apparently someone is going to come and shoot him. He is awaiting his death. So in the begging it is sort of slow and almost calm, in a kind of silent and quavering way... Like he is trying to be calm and think it over rationally, and then he realizes he is going to die and he is kind of angry and his tone get's kind of harsh. And then with the trumpets and guitars... I mean wow, he is going to die! So he is furious and full of sorrow... But he is also kind of elated, if that makes any sense. Do you know what I am saying? I mean he is kind of laughing at it, like, Wow, I am going to die? Did I ever expect it would be like this? WOW. I guess I never gave it much though until now... And then this part:" And the days and the day they seem like forever... And the days and the days they seem like forever. BUT FOREVER ISN'T EVER ENOUGH! "
Too true: the time just drags by and it feel like it is torture. You just WANT SOMETHING TO HAPPEN. But then when what seems like forever is almost over you realize you have spent the entire time complaining about how this was taking so long and suddenly you are out of time and you are facing down the muzzle of a gun, metaphorically in our everyday lives, literally in the song.
One more from Amelia:
ReplyDeleteSee the problem with my schedule is I did nothing but Social World in school today, and tonight I have done nothing but listening and blogging pretty much. Is that okay, to have a few really long and detailed blogs instead of a lot of short ones?
Okay, this comment is actually from me.
ReplyDeleteHi Amelia, I'm loving your thoughts so far. Sounds like a verrrry interesting band. You write eloquently about Point/Counterpoint. I hope you'll bring it in soon and play it for us as a listening example.
It's FINE to write fewer long comments rather than lots of brief comments. If you want to be safe (i.e. not lose the comment due to an internet glitch or blogger error), type the comments in a Word doc (you can also edit/spell-check them there) rather than typing them straight into blogger.
The band has a very interesting name. Where did it get its name? Does it have to do with the band's past, or anything like that? I know that Sting got his name from his past.
ReplyDeleteThat was cool about Sting! I remember that... I really don't know (it is a cool name though.) And Hannah, a little too late for that! I just typed a long comment in your's but then it had an ERROR PROCESSING REQUEST. God Forbid. So now I have a rather succinct comment because I wasn't about to type the WHOLE thing again. I will type a longer comment on your's soon.
ReplyDeleteBy the way where was I posting mine before? I posted it under "comments" in "Amelia". I think. I am not sure. Never mind, well I hope I am typing in the right place now.
ReplyDeleteMy new favorite song is Forty Days. The music is awesome!!! I love the tune, it is extremely (choke, gasp... catchy... Though I believe my soul will rot in hell for saying that!) The lyrics to the song are rather pessimistic. The chorus is: And no matter where we go, we are not alone, when the silence turns to cries of why-y-y, what a way to begin, we inherit sin, and nobodies gonna quench your thirst when the well runs dry, well runs dry, and nobodies gonna hold your hand on the day you die.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of souls rotting in hell... I really like the song though... Not exactly something to cheer me up on a rainy day, or listen to right before I go to sleep but... Yeah. I am not even quite sure what it is about, though I have listened to it a few times and read the lyrics over a bit. I love how streetlight manifesto uses the trumpets! The singer has a really rough voice, and he is always singing these really depressing lyrics, and then there is this really happy, upbeat trumpet, which is awesome! At the end of the song, the last chorus, the tune is like that of a music box. It slows down gradually and gets quiet, and then stops. So there are three parts: the really harsh lyrics and vocals, the upbeat and glorious trumpet, and then there is this other element: the kind of dieing innocence. In "Point/Counterpoint" this is the "Nursery rhyme" feel to it, in "Forty Days" it is the "Music Box" feel. It gives the song so much more depth and interest.
Seriously, you HAVE to listen to Would You Be Impressed? It's my favorite of their songs. (That, or A Moment of Silence. Which, by the way, you also have to listen to.) It's one of the more loud and defiant ones, and also has a fairly random disease metaphor.
ReplyDeletePlus there are no swears, which is suprisingly rare in this band, so it would be pretty good for a music example.
Oh cool! I will listen to it right now! When you gave me the CD I'll it says is Track1 Track2 Track3... How Do I know which one it is?
ReplyDeleteI looked them up and got the names. I like Would You Be Impressed. My current favorite is One Foot on the Gas, and One Foot In The Grave. It is awesome! "We might just make it after all--On our one-- We just might make it after all." Streetlight Manifesto's lyrics are really a lot deeper than I expected. They are really interesting if you take the time to read the lyrics online a few times over.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear this band!! They sound reeeeeally interesting. One of the things I like about the Stretch Project is that I always find a few new good musicians from my students!
ReplyDeleteStreetlight Manifesto was formed four years ago in New Jersey. It's band members each have different backgrounds, and they originally cam together to make one album and then disappear, but they have been remarkably successful. Initially Streetlight Manifesto was a full time world touring band, but they still travel a lot. They are officially "Ska," but they integrate latin, klezmer, folk, world, jazz, funk, and classical into their music. Their first album was "Somewhere in The Between."
ReplyDeleteSorry it took me awhile to post and stuff.
ReplyDeleteI posted this on Sarah's, and it was SUPER long. So I will move it to mine instead:
ReplyDeleteWhat are the lyrics of your songs about? mine are less... I don't know "You left me and now I am sad and I am going to WHINE about it, but if I WHINE about it and the lyrics rhyme then it is a song and people will PAY TO LISTEN TO ME WHINE ABOUT MY TRAGIC LOVE LIFE." types of songs... I would say I really hate those songs but i don't... Just about all music is like that, actually. But I do like the way Streetlight Manifesto isn't all about love. I mean it isn't even love those songs are about... It is just... Liking someone for there exterior, for there appearance or because they have a lot of friends or something... Love is being willing to die for someone. Love is caring for someone because you feel that they are a really good person, because they treat you nicely and are supportive of you and care about you too. Most songs are just... Careless. They are about not having someone there to complain, so they complain to us about everything and put it to music. We have our own problems, we don't need to listen to that kind of stuff. I like music that is inspiring: that let's people know that other people are in the exact situation that they are... Songs with lyrics that say stuff like if you love someone and they don't love you back, that is not a reflection of you. that is just a reflection of them and if they don't see what is beautiful about you then you should find someone who appreciates you better. Or songs that say that you are more than just how you appear, and that you can rise above just your appearance and what is expected of you and show your true self.
Streetlight Manifesto's songs are about screwing up your life, and then either dying or thinking about dying, and being at the gates of hell or something. And about how when you have screwed your life up this much there is nothing you can do. Forty Days: "What a way to begin, we inherit sin, and nobodies gonna quench your thirst when the well runs dry, well runs dry, and nobodies gonna hold your hand on the day you die... And I have tasted seven sins, so they won't let me in, I knock knock knock till my knuckles are bruised and raw, standing in the middle with my blood in a puddle on the floor... What a waste, so many decent people at the gates." Point Counterpoint: "If and when I die won't you bury me alone cuz I'll never get to heaven if I'm singing this song... Your bleeding pretty bad, and you can't stop thinking about the things you never had like a wife and a kid and the things I never did..." One Foot on the Gas, One Foot in The grave: "And they gave us seven days, to renounce our wicked ways, too late to make amends, cuz we both know how this ends."
Yeah, real cheerful-I know. But there are a lot of good lyrics too, I mean they are really interesting if you think about them, like "We made our beds, we'll judge ourselves." It's like the expression: "If you make your bed sleep in it." You have to live with the consequences of your own actions, and you shouldn't be waiting for some kind of divine providence to tell you you are doing things right and make you feel better, or to smite you and punish you for your sins or something. You have to judge yourself. You have to know what is right and wrong for YOU.
I love the lyrics of "One foot in the gas, one foot in the grave." Like "So, do the right thing, or do nothing (what will you do when they come for?) Or just do what is easier (what will you do when they come for you?) That is what I read, what I swear they said to me
ReplyDeleteNine times out of ten they lied to me
And after all they had the gall to say
'Son, no one will save you now.'" A lot of Streetlight Manifesto songs are about religion. That the religion is saying "Do the right thing, or do nothing, or just do what is easier..." And That is what they read in the bible, and that is what they say, but nine times out of ten they were lying, and after all that lying to him and after all those ridiculous kind of messages they have the guts to say "Son, no one will save you now." Sometimes I feel kind of the same way about religion. They tell you one thing, and all the messages in the bible tell you that, and then they act strictly against their own morals! And then when you do something minor they have the guts to say that you are not going to be accepted by their God. As if you would want to anyways. It just bothers me. NOT SAYING ANYONE'S RELIGION IS LIKE THIS. It is just when people are preaching peace, and acceptance of each other, and love for everyone, and then if you don't agree with that then you are wrong, and we will have to enforce this opinion on you. Or killing in the name of peace. Or stuff like "All people are equal" and then labeling animals as not people, and black people as not people, and everyone of a different religion as not people. It REALLY bugs me. This is more about our history, and about the Bush administration and stuff... I really don't mean to offend anyone. No one I know has a religion like this. Another line I like from "One foot on the gas, one foot in the grave." is "Nothing will be broken if your house is made of stone, but you know as I d it will never be a home." I love this line. I mean if never love anyone, if you are just cold and uncaring nothing can break your heart. Nothing will hurt you, but it will never be real. You won't be able to experience the sad things, but you won't be able to experience the good things either. What is the point then? I think a lot of people are like this nowadays: they have experienced so much pain that they have turned their hearts to stone. They just pretend to be tough, like nothing can hurt them. But they can never be happy, or whole that way either.
That looked like one sentence when I was typing it...
ReplyDeleteHa ha. Try 150 sentences. But its good that you're chatting about your music. It's good that you have something to talk about!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteAmelia, I'm glad you like your music. Streetlight Manifesto sounds really interesting. I can't help asking...is there a history behind the artist's name? Last time I checked, I don't believe there are many bands or people named Streetlight Manifesto. It's an interesting name. Did they break streelights or something? Where they particularly found of Streetlights? Hmm...I wonder. I like the origins of names, as you can tell, and I like seeing the meaning behind them. Some people name their children because maybe there's a relative that they love and they want to name their children after, like an Aunt Lucy or something. Maybe they name the child after something they love. Like, for instance, Juniper. Maybe there was an old juniper tree in their backyard in their childhood and they loved to climb it in their spare time and read...I don't know. Well, anyway, it just sounds interesting to me.
Okay, Amelia, now I know what you're talking about with the one sentence thing. The time flies away when you're typing things...anyways, have fun with your music! Enjoy! :-)
Just so I don't keep going on and on about random things like that, I made my own blog where I can just ramble about my life every day for a long time. And if I make it funny, then maybe other people will like to read it. I just call things like random names. Like our school I could write Stonehenge Childproof Mozzarella School, or something random like that. For people I either make up nicknames that their friends will get, but no one else will, or I put their blog names, if they have other blog names. I think I will make a fake name for everyone in the class, and then write stories about them. I will just make them real stories at first: just a day at school, but I will emphasize the funny things and leave out the boring stuff. That would be cool.
ReplyDeleteHere is the link, I hope people like it...
ReplyDeletehttp://gravitationalacceleration98mssquared.blogspot.com/
And also Cadence to answer your question I have no idea why the are called Streetlight Manifesto. Nothing says on wikipedia or the band website. Thanks Cadence!I am going to do some more research on that... But it is eleven-thirty and I am pretty tired...
ReplyDeleteokay, Amelia, I'm interested in hearing the origin of your new blogger display name! You wax quite eloquent on many subjects in here! Very interesting commentary on the lyrics . . . tell me more about the music itself. Maybe an analysis of your favorite piece? What instruments are used? How do the instruments relate to the lyrics?
ReplyDeleteOh, my new blogger display name is because Sage was telling me if I use my real name on my OWN blog they will come for me. And that I cannot put my age or my school or my location or any of my friends names, or they will come for all of us. For a better understanding of who THEY are, please contact Sage. Synthesia: Protein Synthesis, or when the rybozomes in the cytoplasm of an animal cell read the ribonucleic acid chains and use the information to construct chains of amino acids, and then fold the chains into protein molecules. That sounded a lot more obvious before I said (or typed) it out loud. Doxyro: Something similar to Deoxyribonucleic Acid. Deoxyribonucleic acid is formed from bases of Guanine, Adenine, Cytosine and Thymine, As opposed to Ribonucleic Acid which replaces Thymine with Uracil. Peregrine: It sounds really cool, and the Peregrine Falcon is also the fastest bird in the world.
ReplyDeleteAmelia you should seriously go to bed earlier! Anyways...like your new name. Hmmm... did you go onto wikipedia for the name thing?
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty cool that Streetlight Manifesto has their own website. But bands usually do. I should check out whether or not Paramore has a website. I should post this comment in my own section...anyway, thanks!
Well Streetlight uses basic acoustic and electric guitar, as well as the trumpets, which are super-tuff. And uber-fierce as well. The trumpets are wild and joyful like a Mexican Mariache band, which contrasts strongly to the cynical lyrics, yet still seems to smoothly blend with the music. i wish we had more stretch projects: I would want to do the Yale Accapella group, and Tokio Hotel (this is Maricela's favorite music, and YES it is completely in German and NO she doesn't speak any, but I happen to and this music rocks!)
ReplyDeleteHi Amelia, feel free to do as many Stretch Projects on your own as you like!! I do them quite a bit myself, and not just with music. You can do them with new foods, a new genre of book, new language, etc. I enjoyed FINALLY hearing Streetlight Manifesto last week. The juxtaposition of jubilant brass sounds with dark lyrical content . . . that's reeeeally interesting.
ReplyDeleteI know! T-U-F-F right? Yay Streetlight!!!
ReplyDeletei would like to do a lot of mini-stretches, but my first few consumed some forty-plus iTunes gift-cards in record time, so I have no more itunes money. Sadness! I would like to do a Jason Mraz mini-stretch, but HE STOLE MY HAT, so I am feeling momentarily resentful. I am learning I'm Your's on guitar. Whee! The lyrics are pretty interesting. I like it. I cannot seem to switch from the last chord back to the first chord at all, and the last chord made some interesting things happen in my wrists (again, interesting as in "wow, blood, I don't remember cutting myself" or interesting as in "Wow. Extreme pain. Fascinating" rather than cool interesting.)
I believe that I am holding the guitar wrong.
Either that, or I am just so short that i am doomed to start crying every time I try to play a note that is too far over on the strings, because my fingers don't reach. I am hoping that I am just holding the guitar wrong.
IMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEM!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMinus 21 of those 22 E's, and all seven exclamation points...
Allright, I have absolutely NO CLUE what "imeem" is, but it let's you play music for free, and create play-lists and stuff. All you need is internet connection, but you can listen to anything you want for free. They have all the popular stuff, but they also have stuff that even iTunes doesn't have.
Note: only use imeem if you have gmail. Gmail is able to sort spam wonderfully, and you will receive about thirty+ spam messages in your spam filter every twenty-four hours. But you don't have to read them, and none of them go through, so I think it is kind of worth it for the free music. You can do all the stretch projects you want.
I am doing Tokio Hotel and Paramore now. I believe I will do Jason Mraz, and everyone's stretch project in MS and E2. Except for the ones wear the people have left one comment basically saying their music is so horrible they couldn't be paid a million dollars to listen to it and they are getting headaches... I will not listen to that.
Amelia, i am just answering your question you asked me on cadences blog.
ReplyDeletethe songs are mostly in engish i watched a music video of theirs and it was in a different language but i don't think it is on the album i am litening to.
the songs i guess they are mosly religios if you say the one i posted was. :)
Hi Amelia,
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if your music was a time of day what would it be?..........
I say that because i am staring at a clock and also I think it's a good question that is not asked everyday.
Thanks for joining my blog Nina!
ReplyDeleteDo you like songs in other languages, or do you prefer being able to understand things better? Are the music videos good? What is the title of the album your are listening to? I looked "Celtic Women" up in my dad's library, and it came up with about twenty results, none of which seemed to be your artist.
Do you like religious songs? It is interesting that your music is, because my music is extremely against religion... That isn't true. Streetlight Manifesto's music is not against religion, it is just against religions that preach a lot, but never actually practice what they preach. And religions that use violence for the sake of peace, or discriminate against people because they do not follow Jesus's beliefs, when Jesus's beliefs were clearly and openly opposed to discrimination of any kind.
Apologies. I did not personally know Jesus. I have not studied history or religion extensively at all, and I am not fit to make such a harsh judgment. But I for one am infuriated by the idea of millions of people following the teaching's of a violent and discriminatory Christ.
I wish to assume the best of these people, and therefore assume that they have devoted their lives to following the teaching's of a peaceful and accepting man, who was selfless and wished only for equality and compassion amongst all of mankind. As far as I am concerned, this leaves Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, black people, Asians, Hispanics... all as human beings. As human beings, according to what I believe Jesus's teachings to be, the minorities and people who differ from us vastly, are being mistreated by quite a few religious groups.
So I definitely agree with the principles of these religions, but the way they are carried out angers me, and it pains me to think that we should go so strongly against Jesus's will and claim that our actions are in his name.
Streetlight Manifesto is merely giving voice to this same pain and anger at the injustices of some religions.
With the aid of a few swears and some electric guitar, that is...
And as for Maddy's question?
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****NINE IN THE AFTERNOON****
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it is quite a shame I am not listening to Panic at the Disco. If that were the case it would be an astounding coincidence and I would be thrilled.
Thanks for commenting on my blog!
Although that is a great song is that the real time your music is? It would be a good genre to listen to but Don't you listen to it already?
ReplyDelete(that wasn't supposed to be rude.)
POSTING FOR MIA:
ReplyDeleteHi Amelia,
I'm thrilled you like Streetlight so much, but I'm even more thrilled that you get the meaning behind it, I think some people might assume that it's just some loud, angry punk music that's sending out either bad messages or no messages at all. But when you listen to it a lot, you see the complex meanings behind the lyrics, and even the way they're sung. Like in 'One Foot On The Gas' (which you mentioned was your favorite) one singer sings in a mellow, accepting voice: 'Let's make amends, cause we both know how this ends' and the other lead singer with the scratchier voice comes in on 'We both know how this ends' yelling and indignant, like he knows how it ends but he wants to change it, or else just protest. I love Streetlight Manifesto because their music makes a real statement about religion, like you said, but also just life in general. Many of the songs have messages of living in the moment but keeping level-headed, of enjoying life and living to the fullest because you've only got one chance.I think this is wise. One line I like is, in 'Down Down Down to Mephisto's Cafe', (by the way, does anyone know who Mephisto is?)"Don't crack, cause you might not make it back, and if you do you'll be alone and you, can't live like that. well I know, when I'm wrong, and I sure as *heck* ain't wrong, this time..." I don't know why exactly, but this part sticks in my head. Could be the tune or the meaning, I don't really know. I think it means not to throw everything away in a panic instead of working things out, because they won't be the same again, Or something like that.
Streetlight Manifesto has so much meaning it sometimes makes my head hurt, and I think if it weren't for the epic catchiness and the ska-trumpet awesomeness I might find it tiresome eventually and turn on some bugglegum-pop artist with nonsense lyrics just to relax my brain. but as it happens, the meaningfulness is elegantly twisted into references and adages with a biting edge to them, and on top of all that, it's wicked to dance to.
What a band, huh?
I hope you keep enjoying them.
:-) Mia
Sorry to burst your bubble Mia, but I am pretty sure it is "Too late to make amends, 'CUZ WE BOTH KNOW HOW THIS ENDS!" But I am not positive. I will check.
ReplyDeleteSorry, it is "Too late."
I am just happy there are still optimists like you in this world Mia. Haha...
Mephistopheless is one of the chief demons of European literacy.
And Mia, I like that part too.
And by the way, thank you a MILLION times over for recommending Streetlight. I am now the biggest Streetlight Manifesto fan EVER.
Maybe not, I could be lying.
But I ASPIRE to be the greatest Streetlight Manifesto fan ever, so I have to get some credit for trying...
Amelia,
ReplyDeleteYour welcome!
I like being able to understand what they are singing but it is kind of neat litening to it in a different language.
The music videos are ok but i never finish watching them.
The album is called-walking in air.
Oh. "TOO LATE to make amends." hehe.
ReplyDeleteWell, actually, I think that works too, just as well. There's a certain radical satisfaction in just accepting that things are totally going down the drain. "There ain't no turnin' back, when your train is off the track, and there's nothin' we can do but WATCH IT CRASH!"
Also, you're welcome a million times for recommending Streetlight. Good luck in your quest to become the greatest Streetlight fan ever. I"m right behind you. :-)
I think my Music is... 3:54 AM. In actuality.
ReplyDeleteI only have I Write Sins Not Tragedies. Nothing else. I have head nine in the afternooon a couple times, but the only lyrics I know are "Nine in the afternoon, your eyes are the size of the moon, you could something something LA-LA-LA! Let us pretend, that I know the words, to this SONG!"(Sung to the tune of P.A.T.D.'s N.I.T.A.)
I am incredibly talented at memorizing lyrics VERY quickly, with the exception of when I am supposed to be memorizing them. But I am also incredibly talented at PRETENDING to know the lyrics to songs, even when it is rather apparent that I do not. I am good at predicting words that will rhyme, and the words that will follow and proceed these lyrics, and also, I am good at just making up random gobbledigook (yes, this is the correct spelling of that) that sounds rather like the English language when shouted loudly to a tune.
Unfortunately, this is one of those talents that is useful for only one purpose: when someone is telling you to "Stop that infernal racket this instant" you can reply "I can't help it. I am just TALENTED."
Thanks Nina!
ReplyDeleteOn the one hand I really LOVE different languages and I really LOVE different cultures, so it is great to listen to different languages, but then again I really want to know what they are saying because some music is political, and some is religious, and some is sad, and some is really happy, and some is like a rage-full rant, while other songs are like poetry, and other music is just kind of funny and entertaining, so it is really fun to be able to understand the lyric to songs...
By the way, the link to my blog, for anyone who wants to join, is http://gravitationalacceleration98mssquared.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteHi Amelia,
ReplyDeleteJust wondering - why do you change your name? It's a little confusing. No offense. Amelia you should listen to Panic! At the Disco. They're a nice band. Hi, Nina!
Oh and I'm glad you like your music. It's so nice that everyone's liking their music this stretch. Yay!!!! :-D Happy face. Hannah, if you're here, when does the stretch end? You know what, I'll just ask you on your blog...:-D
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure the stretch ended friday but I'm not sure.
ReplyDeleteWhew. What lovely, awesome, amazing blogging! (And yes, I'm only just now finishing my grading.)
ReplyDelete