Qualities

After this nearly three-month long hiatus, I've finally picked up blogging again! It feels delightful to pound out my stream of thoughts through my keyboard and onto the computer screen, listening to music and enjoying a post-exam de-stressing session. ~ But my post today is quite filled with tirades and an usually critical tone - perhaps these past few weeks of essay-writing have made me a bit too emphatic? Regardless, please read this with a fresh eye and an open spirit. ~

For some reason or another, I've had to ask people to write compliments about me quite frequently in the recent months, whether it was for reference letters, or for a simple activity. Through this unofficial surveying of ideas, I've begun to notice a trend - a saddening and bizarre trend, in fact. ~
Essentially, what other people think of as qualities, often have associated negative connotations in my mind. I've drafted up a quick list below to explain what I mean, each followed by a friendly suggested improvement. ~

Hardworking
This is a classic. A typically positive word, it can be associated to dedication, determination and detail. Yet while the latter three words paint the picture of a devoted individual, "hardworking" has always just screamed mulish, slow-witted and even a little bit daft to me. I suppose it's because I've always thought those who are smart enough, end up finding shortcuts. And yes, I know that there are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going in life. But if there's an easier option, why force yourself to follow a fruitless path of misery? No, indeed. Hardworking is just a bit too boring for me - after all, half of it is comprised of the word "working."
Instead, use disciplined. While this might seem like an even more boring word to some, in my mind, it evokes the great images of kung fu masters, who have enough self-control not to be distracted by pain or tiredness.

Smart
Ah, the ever-clever term. Should be a good thing, no? After all, we know that the pen is mightier than the sword. (Notice how I used a cliché there? That's a subtle jab at how cliché the use of the word "smart" as a compliment has become.) Who wouldn't want an employee with the brains to solve problems, or the intelligence needed to keep up with a higher-level discussion on politics?
Yet, this word is so very terribly generic, and perhaps worse, unspecific. What type of smart? Book-smart, street-smart, EQ-smart? Because all of these are very distinct things, and each with a very different connotation. Book-smart screams nerd, whereas street-smart or EQ-smart draws up a portrait of a bad-boy wearing shades and cruising down the street in his shiny red car, smiling a cocky smile and nodding with condescension at the book-smart boy with the glasses and the untucked shirt clutching his books and staring in undisguised awe at the passing image of glory. Far-fetched? Perhaps, but not as much as I'd like to think.
Instead, use bright or witty. The first has a touch of precocity within it, whereas the second hints at a subtle, perhaps sarcastic, humour. And we all do love that sarcasm.

Interesting
This one is perhaps the worst of the bunch. "Interesting." It's the default word - the word we fall back on when nothing else will fit. In essence, it's an untailored, ill-fitting garment thrown upon a person; it'll do, but not well. Besides, how many times have we ourselves said, "that's very... interesting," with a slight touch of uptalk at the end of the phrase, when grasping for a nice compliment when some poor friend tells a lame story or makes an ill-suited remark?
Instead, use fascinating. It shows that you're more than interested - in fact, you're captivated; your attention has been grasped. In addition, just saying the word itself is delicious - it forces you to open your mouth in an "ah" shape, whereas you can get by with mumbling an "interesting" if need be.

I hope you're beginning to understand at least a bit the point that I'm trying to get across. Naturally, I don't expect you to suddenly associate these terms with negativity - indeed, you shouldn't, because most of society doesn't, and I'm an exception. But the next time you give a compliment or help someone out with their resume, take a step back and question yourself - just how much do we rely on these tired, washed-up old words of "quality"? ~

The Wars, Part Twelve

Last part! ~ Start at Part One to "get the full experience." ~

So, this... is the end. ~ A very optimistic and hope-filled ending, no? ~ "Unwritten." Introduced to most of us through that delightful Pantene commercial ages ago, this song by the lovely Natasha Bedingfield has always enchanted me with its upbeat tempo and joy-filled sounds. ~ Here, I've used it to bring light back into the playlist, and instill in the listener and reader a sense of a better future out there, if only one will persevere. ~ Hopefully, this won't take away from the rest of the content, and that rather, the contrast here highlights the fact that despite all of war's toils and troubles, there can still be light at the end of the tunnel, even though the trip through that tunnel might be painfully twisted and hazardous. ~

To break this influence and to rebuild a connection with society, individuals must find a new purpose to replace that of fighting in a war in order to diminish the focus on war within their mind.

Unwritten, by Natasha Bedingfield:

[Verse 1]
I am unwritten,
Can't read my mind
I'm undefined
I'm just beginning
The pen's in my hand
Ending unplanned

[Chorus 1]
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions

[Chorus 2]
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten, yeah

Oh, oh

[Verse 3]
I break tradition
Sometimes my tries
Are outside the lines, oh yeah yeah
We've been conditioned
To not make mistakes
But I can't live that way oh, oh

[Chorus 1]

[Chorus 2, repeat]

[Chorus 1, gospel style]

[Chorus 2, repeat]

The rest is still unwritten (repeat)

Lyrical Content

In Unwritten, several months have passed since the individual has returned home from the war. He has continually attempted to readapt to civilian life, combating alienation and the pull of violence, and has finally begun to come to terms with the suffering he has endured in the war by immersing himself in a newfound passion: writing. He describes himself as an “unwritten” book, using this metaphor to convey the sense that he is attempting to start his life anew. This echoes the lyrics “Time still turns the pages of the book it’s burned,” from the song “So Far Away,” during which the individual suffered from emotional pain due to facing the many deaths caused by the war. Now, the individual attempts to use “the pen […] in his hand” to write out his experiences on the “blank page before [him],” in order to “release [his] inhibitions” – namely, the pent-up anger, depression and sadness caused by his war experience. He admits that sometimes “[he] break[s] tradition” and that “[his] tries / Are outside the lines,” yet because of his grueling experiences, he “can’t live” without “mak[ing] mistakes,” for it is only ignoring society’s conventions and putting words to his pain-filled memories of war that he can make peace with himself. Because the individual became “undefined” as he lost his identity in the war, he now desires to open himself up to the light and “let the sun illuminate the words / That [he can] not find,” thereby stepping out of the darkness that the war has imposed upon him.

Auditory Elements

The melody has an optimistic quality to it that reflects the lyrics’ hopeful nature. The pop style evokes a lighter mood and joyful, celebratory tone that contrasts with the previous songs chosen.

In Chorus 2, more voices join the singer, conveying the sense that the individual is no longer alone, and that he is receiving support from society at last thanks to his new-found passion of writing about his experiences. Throughout Chorus 2, the individual gains the sense that he should appreciate being alive and “live [his] life with arms wide open,” because peace was worth fighting for only if those who remain take advantage of it.

The last rendition of Chorus 1 is sung in gospel-like style, furthering the idea that a large group is supporting and even encouraging the individual’s attempts at writing in order to express his emotions and thereby release them, leading him to find joy in the world once more.

The Wars, Part Eleven

Start with Part One. ~

Another lovely rock song! ~ "The hits just keep on coming!" ~

Though it shouldn't be a surprise any longer, I do not know this band either. ~ (Really. Although I do pride myself on having a varied taste in music, rock has always been one of my "fringe" likes; that is, I capture random songs into my musical net and play them exclusively for awhile before moving on.) ~ "Going Down in Flames" immediately caught my attention as I was song-hunting, because the title itself evokes the imagery of burning and descending into despair - perfect for describing the wars. ~ Take hope, however, knowing that this is the last "depressing" song on my list. ~ La pluie après le beau temps, indeed. ~

Furthermore, the inexorable pull of violence and war will begin to manifest itself in individuals.

Going Down in Flames, by Three Doors Down:

Don't tell me what to think, 'cause I don't care this time
Don't tell me what to believe, 'cause you won't be there
Catch me when I fall
But you'll need me when I'm not here at all
Miss me when I'm gone again

I'm goin' down in flames
I'm fallin' into this again
I'm goin' down in flames
I'm fallin' into this again

Don't tell me how life is, 'cause I don't really wanna know
Don't tell me how this game ends, 'cause we'll just see how it goes.
Catch me when I fall
Or you'll need me when I'm not here at all
Miss me when I'm gone again.

I'm goin' down in flames
I'm fallin' into this again
I'm goin' down in flames
I'm fallin' into this again
Now all the way down here I'm falling all the way
All the way down here I'm falling again now.
I'm falling down, I'm falling down, I'm falling down

I'm goin' down in flames
I'm fallin' into this again
I'm goin' down in flames
I'm fallin' into this again

Now all the way down here I'm falling all the way
All the way down here I'm falling again now.
I'm falling down

Literary Content

In “Going Down in Flames,” the individual describes how despite his many attempts, even in loneliness, to adapt once more to civilian life, he feels the pull of violence and of war, which opposes him to the feelings he has for his lover. The flames in the song represent the all-consuming need to kill and to succumb to the pressures of his memories of war. His repetition of “goin’ down in flames” and “fallin’ into this again” conveys this terror of war, which he fears he can never escape.
Furthermore, he knows that his lover “won't be there [to] / Catch [him] when [he] fall[s],” which highlights his sense of independence, a result of having learnt to rely on no one but himself during the war. He expresses resentment as a result, asserting that if he ever goes off to war again, she’ll miss him and need him, yet she can offer no comfort and refuge for him in return.

Auditory Elements

Because this is a rock song, the accompaniment is composed of a constant beat along with a heavy electric guitar and bass. These set up a desperate and dread-filled tone which matches the lyrics. The steady beat also sets up a driving rhythm that pushes the song forward and contributes to the inevitability of the individual’s succumbing to “the flames.” Finally, in the last three stanzas, the words begin to overlap and interject randomly, repeating the same lyrics over and over again. This creates a confusing and uncertain mood which parallels the emotions felt by the individual during the war and which he is suffering through once more.

The Wars, Part Ten

You may begin at Part One. ~

Voilà: another Green Day song. ~ This one I have known for a long time - in fact, it could be called one of my "fall-back" songs; that is, the type of song I listen to when I'm either in a nostalgic mood, or tired of the series of songs I have on rotate at the current time. ~ As a result, I even know all the lyrics by heart. ~ Quite a feat for someone who never exclusively listens to music, but rather chooses to play "bgm" (AKA, "background music"). ~ FYI, I also have a strange affinity for discovering the extended forms of acronyms, in case you haven't caught it. ~ I wonder who else didn't know that "app" = application and "Interpol" = international police? ~

Completely derailing. ~ Enjoy "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," and may your own dreams be whole and satisfactory. ~

As a result, they will feel alienated from society.

Boulevard of Broken Dreams, by Green Day:

I walk a lonely road
The only one that I have ever known
Don't know where it goes
But it's home to me and I walk alone

I walk this empty street
On the boulevard of broken dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I'm the only one and I walk alone

I walk alone
I walk alone

I walk alone
I walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Till then I walk alone

Ah-ah Ah-ah Ah-ah Aaah-ah
Ah-ah Ah-ah Ah-ah

I'm walking down the line
That divides me somewhere in my mind
On the border line of the edge
And where I walk alone

Read between the lines
What's f***** up and everything's all right
Check my vital signs to know I'm still alive
And I walk alone

I walk alone
I walk alone

I walk alone
I walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Till then I walk alone

Ah-Ah Ah-Ah Ah-Ah Aaah-Ah
Ah-Ah Ah-Ah

I walk alone
I walk a...

I walk this empty street
On the boulevard of broken dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I'm the only one and I walk a...

My shadow's only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Till then I walk alone

Literary Content

In “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” the individual expresses his alienation through the metaphor of walking down “a lonely road.” He wishes “someone out there will find [him],” yet because he is so different from the rest of society, he is condemned to “walk alone” while “the city sleeps,” another metaphor which indicates his disconnection from society. Furthermore, he feels lost and “[doesn’t] know where [the road] goes.” This “boulevard of broken dreams” represents his shattered vision of war and of humanity; having killed men and seen other men being killed, his former childhood dreams of the glory of war have been forever broken. His shattered internal state is further highlighted through the metaphor of the “line / that divides [him] somewhere in [his] mind.” This line divides not only his new, war-torn self from his formerly innocent and lust-for-violence self, but also divides him from society, driving him to “the edge” of madness. His only way to ascertain that he is “still alive” is to “check [his] vital signs,” which is an action reminiscent of what, as a soldier, he would have done in war; this further illustrates how the individual is still in a battle mindset. However, he yearns to finally escape the horrors of war, wishing that “someone out there will find [him]” and relieve him of his lonely misery.

Auditory Elements

The song begins with a bass riff entrance that resonates and vibrates, conveying the auditory imagery of slow, plodding steps taken by the lonely individual. This establishes a dragging, depressed mood.

Also, the reference to “[the individual’s] shadow” represents the ever-present influence of war and of his memories of fighting. The fact that the previous line, “I walk a…,” is interrupted by “my shadow,” suggests that even in loneliness, he is not free from the horrors of war.

Finally, the heavy bass solo at the end, from 3:44 to 4:17, completes the piece in a dark and despondent mood as the individual continues to persist in loneliness.

The Wars, Part Nine

Part One starts it off. ~

Finally, we have the country song. ~ Amusing factoid: FL thinks, and I agree, that country music is too blatant in its lyrics; that is, it explicitly states everything without using much figurative language or subtleties. ~ This isn't a jab at country music, but simply a fact that does not reflect upon my opinion of the genre overall. ~

Nevertheless, these quite obvious lyrics served my purpose well, and hence "I Just Came Back From A War" is included in my playlist. ~

However, they will soon discover that they have difficulty relating to the rest of society. War divides the individual from the collective by subjecting him or her to life-threatening circumstances, under which the individual becomes so emotionally strained that he or she loses the connection with the commonplace reality of daily life.

I Just Came Back from a War, by Darryl Worley:

The first thing I did when that plane finally landed was kiss the ground
The next thing I did was to go find my friends down at the old hangout
Drank some beer and talked a lot about old times
But when the booze finally hit Billy Joe Grimes
He said I don't know what it is, but you seem different to me

I said I just came back from a place where they hated me
and everything I stand for
A land where our brothers are dying for others who don't even care anymore
If I'm not exactly the same good old boy that you ran around with before
I just came back from a war

The very next morning I took a walk through the neighborhood
I thought it's been so long since I've been in a place where everything is good
People laughing and children were playing
And as I watched ’em I found myself praying
Lord keep ’em safe here at home in the land of the free

Cuz I just came back from a place where they hated me
And everything I stand for
A land where our brothers are dying for others who don't even care anymore
If I'm not same little freckled face boy
That grew up in that house next door
I just came back from a war

I hope you cherish this sweet way of life
And I hope you know that it comes with a price

I just came back from a place where they hated me
And everything I stand for
A land where our brothers are dying for others who don't even care anymore
Chances are I never will be the same
I really don't know anymore
I just came back from a war

I just came back from a war

[Background]
You don’t know me (repeated)

I just came back from a war

Literary Content

In “I Just Came Back from a War,” the individual begins to realize to what extent he has been changed by the war. His friends back home notice that he “seem[s] different,” which causes the individual to relate the hate he’s been forced to endure during the war. His pain regarding his fellow soldiers’ deaths is further underscored by the fact that they “are dying for others who don’t even care anymore;” namely, that they no longer fight for a purpose. He also explains his tarnished innocence by juxtaposing his current self with the “little freckled face boy / That grew up in that house next door,” suggesting that he was forced to grow up and grow burdened with suffering during the war and that he no longer has those same urges to be a “killing machine.” However, he can no longer see anything without thinking about the war; the “people laughing and children […] playing” remind him of just how fragile peace is. This shows the extent to which he has been permanently affected; “chances are [he] never will be the same.”

Auditory Elements

The country style of this song contributes to establishing a peaceful and slightly nostalgic mood, as this type of music is reminiscent of the traditional American hometown. The use of the Am chord, combined with the Cadd9 and G chords, adds a slight tinge of sadness to the joy and relief of homecoming.

Also, the individual’s further alienation is hinted at the line, “you don’t know me,” which, as it repeated, fades to silence, suggesting that he is retreating into himself more and more as time goes by. This creates a melancholic and lonely tone.

The Wars, Part Eight

Part One is where it all begins. ~

So, I admit it: I did go a little overboard with the A7X songs. ~ However, they fit so perfectly with the theme that I couldn't resist. Stumbling upon this band was like uncovering a treasure trove of beautifully suitable gold to match the otherwise bland outfit. ~

"Gunslinger" helps illustrate my previous point in Part Two about A7X's music being "flexible." ~ This song begins in a near-country style, then transitions to rock. Both convey emotions of despair and anguish, but in distinct ways. ~ This contrast keeps the song interesting, as it does in so much of their other music. ~

After leaving the battlefield of war, individuals will initially be relieved at the prospect of returning home and filled with the hope that they can return to a sense of normalcy because they are unable to grasp the full extent of the war’s influence upon themselves.

Gunslinger, by Avenged Sevenfold:

Yeah, you've been alone
I've been gone for far too long
But with all that we've been through
After all this time I'm coming home to you

Never let it show
The pain I've grown to know
'Cause with all these things we do
It don't matter when I'm coming home to you

[Chorus]
I reach towards the sky I've said my goodbyes
My heart's always with you now
I won't question why so many have died
My prayers have made it through yeah
'Cause with all these things we do
It don't matter when I'm coming home to you

Letters keep me warm
Helped me through the storm
But with all that we've been through
After all this time I'm coming home to you

[Chorus]

I've always been true
I've waited so long just to come hold you
I'm making it through
It's been far too long, we've proven our
love over time's so strong, in all that we do
The stars in the night, they lend me their light
to bring me closer to heaven with you

(Bring me closer)

But with all that we've been through
After all this time I'm coming home to you

[Chorus]

And with all that we've been through
After all this time I'm coming home to you

Lyrical Content

In “Gunslinger,” the individual is coming home after the war has ended. Through this song, he is addressing a lover he left at home and is now returning to. He wants to forget the war and return to his civilian life, wanting to believe that “[his] heart [will] always [be] with [his lover] now,” and that he “won’t question why so many have died.” This belief that love can overcome the grim reality of war’s impact is unfounded, considering how the individual already exhibits thoughts about “never let[ting] show / The pain [he’s] grown to know” in war, thus foreshadowing his inevitable distancing from society as a result of concealing his memories and emotions. His fervent use of “it don’t matter” undermines the gravity of all that he has faced; his hope at finding happiness anew so simply is therefore based on the fact that he is lying to himself.

Auditory Elements

The song opens with a soft guitar accompaniment, in a near-country style, which hints at an image of a lone horseman riding home. The tone established with this calm accompaniment is a sad, mournful one, as appropriate for one returning from war. Furthermore, the sudden rise in pitch on each “all” sounds somewhat strained, hinting at the deeper pain that the individual has suffered in war.

Then, a rock style begins at end of third stanza as the individual begins to remember the war, as evidenced by his use of the metaphor “storm” to describe his grueling experience. His voice becomes more strained as he repeats the chorus, conveying a sense that he is trying to convince himself that he can readjust to civilian life despite his evidently lingering pain from the memories of war. He succeeds in part, as the tone becomes more hopeful in the sixth stanza, after the second rendition of the chorus. This is conveyed through the ascending melody line in both the vocal accompaniment, and then in the solo electric guitar from 2:59 to 3:22. These rising musical lines in the background subtly hint at the brighter future that the individual is hoping for.

The Wars, Part Seven

Look! You can start at Part One! ~

The Devil Wears Prada was known only as a movie to me before having tackled this assignment. ~ Nevertheless, I decided to listen to this song through the suggestion of FL, who helped a great deal by being there to listen to my ramblings and explanations while working on this playlist and ensuring me that I was still staying coherent... or not. ~ Regardless. "Louder Than Thunder" is a short but very unique song, calm yet haunting all at once. ~ One more interesting factoid before you listen: The Devil Wears Prada is a Christian band. ~

This will lead individuals to desire peace in the place of war.

Louder Than Thunder, by The Devil Wears Prada:

What would it take?
For things to be quiet, quiet like the snow.

I know this isn't much, but I know, I could, I could be better.

I don’t think I deserve it, selflessness.
Find your way into my heart.

All stars could be brighter,
All hearts could be warmer.

What would it take for things to be quiet?
Quiet like the snow.

Are we meant to be empty handed?
I know I could, I could be better.

I don’t think I deserve it, selflessness.
Find your way into my heart.

All stars could be brighter,
All hearts could be warmer.

What would it take for things to be quiet?

Literary Content

“Louder Than Thunder” conveys the individual’s longing for peace. The thunder is a symbol for war, whereas the “quiet” represents peace. The simile of “quiet like the snow” expresses the individual’s belief that peace is pure and innocent, untainted and unlike the fear that comes with “thunder,” and thus war. Having endured so much already, the individual does not think he “deserve[s]” be fighting in this war, amid all this violence, and exhibiting this “selflessness;” as a result, he starts to doubt the validity and justification behind fighting in the war. Even though he realizes that his desire for peace “isn’t much,” he knows that he “could be [a] better [person]” if peace were to finally come. His hope for this better future is conveyed through the lines “all stars could be brighter” and “all hearts could be warmer,” where the stars represent the brilliance of mankind and the hearts represent the potential kindness of human beings.

Auditory Elements

The piano and cello introduction establishes the slow tempo and longing mood that is to characterize the entire piece. The generally minimal accompaniment allows the lyrics to sound more unadorned and thus more heartfelt. Also, the swell that ends abruptly on the word “quiet” at 1:23, in addition to the end of all accompaniment on the last “quiet” at the very end, serve to draw the listener’s attention to the brief pause, which ends with a feeling of more to come. This parallels the individual’s urging and almost breathless desire for peace.