Then Forge the Shackles To My Feet
There comes a time in some people’s lives when they lose touch with the younger generation. For those who try to keep up with the way young people think there comes many a time when they wonder if they are loosing it.
There has been a great song (in some ways) out there from Nickelback called “Rockstar” that serves as an example. It is a catchy tune with witty satire for content describing the desire that many have to be famous. It makes fun of fame and in some ways of the band itself as it describes the empty debauchery in the lives of the rich and famous. Lines like “we’ll all stay skinny ‘cause we just won’t eat,” And “I'll get washed-up singers writing all my songs, Lip sync ‘em every night so I don't get 'em wrong” are sung with tongue fully planted in cheek. With stories ranging from the latest Britney Spears incident to Paris Hilton saying something dumb every few days, the song is funny (in a sad way) because it is so true. Why would anyone want their fifteen minutes these days?
On the other hand, the repeated lines “I’m gonna trade this life for fortune and fame, I’d even cut my hair and change my name,” speak to a modern version of the Faustian story that seems to play itself out over and over again with the “American Idols” and their franchises on every channel.
The question must be asked, is this song popular (it was the most downloaded video on iTunes in 2007) because everyone is in on the joke and loves making fun of the emptiness of fame? Or are young people today really buying into the lie that money and popularity are the answer to happiness?
There has been a great song (in some ways) out there from Nickelback called “Rockstar” that serves as an example. It is a catchy tune with witty satire for content describing the desire that many have to be famous. It makes fun of fame and in some ways of the band itself as it describes the empty debauchery in the lives of the rich and famous. Lines like “we’ll all stay skinny ‘cause we just won’t eat,” And “I'll get washed-up singers writing all my songs, Lip sync ‘em every night so I don't get 'em wrong” are sung with tongue fully planted in cheek. With stories ranging from the latest Britney Spears incident to Paris Hilton saying something dumb every few days, the song is funny (in a sad way) because it is so true. Why would anyone want their fifteen minutes these days?
On the other hand, the repeated lines “I’m gonna trade this life for fortune and fame, I’d even cut my hair and change my name,” speak to a modern version of the Faustian story that seems to play itself out over and over again with the “American Idols” and their franchises on every channel.
The question must be asked, is this song popular (it was the most downloaded video on iTunes in 2007) because everyone is in on the joke and loves making fun of the emptiness of fame? Or are young people today really buying into the lie that money and popularity are the answer to happiness?
Comments
Post a Comment