Monday, June 18, 2012

Reggae

Today I started researching what makes up a good reggae song, and different topics that reggae artists typically write about. Just by being a huge reggae music fan myself, I know that the content mainly includes lyrics about happiness, peace, love, nature, politics, freedom and a specific elevation in which your body experiences when you are using something too inappropriate to talk about in class..... Anyway, some of my favorite bands write and perform reggae/island music. Some examples include Bob Marley, Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution, Aer, and Soja. I have been listening to these artists for years now, and I believe I have encompassed tremendous inspiration from each one of them, but I have never actually tried to write a reggae inspired song. Something that I have observed by listening to this type of music is that no matter how serious the content is of the specific song you are listening to, you cant help but feel inspired, relaxed, and/or happy in some way. One of the major goals of reggae music is to bring joy and relaxation into the lives of it's listeners, and this is something that I experience every time I am listening to some good ole reggae. One characteristic that makes reggae stand out from all other genres is the infamous upbeat and syncopated guitar rhythm. Just by adding this specific syncopated rhythm you can turn any song into a reggae inspired song.

Today I started writing two songs with the titles "The Focus" and "Towards the Sun". "The Focus" is a song that is going to be about stopping war and the hate amongst all peoples, and instead truly embracing each other as equal human beings and embracing the beauty of nature. "Towards the Sun" is going to be about being your own person, staying inspired, and looking up when you feel down, but always remembering that fellow human beings are right there with you looking up at the same sun you are looking towards. This song will contain the concept of being a unique, strong person, but always knowing that there is a special unity that all human beings experience with each other.... I am so excited to get these songs finished!

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