Songs about Success
1.) "The Thrill" Wiz Khalifa
2.) "I Made It" Kevin Rudolph
3.) "Lucky" Britney Spears
4.) "That Was A Crazy Game of Poker" OAR
5.) "Billionaire" Travie McCoy FT. Bruno Mars
Songs about Liberation
1.) "King Without A Crown" Matisyahu
2.) "Redemption Song" Bob Marley
3.) "Who Says" John Mayer
4.) "Let Her Cry" Hootie and the Blowfish
5.) "Learn to Fly" Foo Fighters
For this assignment, I found the aim of to be more prevalent than the aim of liberation. Everyone wants to find success in one way or another, so there is no wonder that there are numerous songs about finding it. The aim of success reaches across all genres. From country to rap, one can find something about the journey to, in midst of, or fall from success. I believe this to be true, due to the nature of humankind. We are taught from a young age that success in life will bring the greatest happiness. Success comes in many different forms and definitions. For one, success might come in the form of a loving marriage, for others it might be a high paying job with a corner office. Though these forms of success differ, there is one common goal. Happiness.
Unlike the Western view on Success, the Hindu view stresses that success will never be enough, and it is not truly what you want. Success may be something that you want to achieve on your way to "Ultimate Reality", but simply being successful will never truly fulfill you and be "enough" to satisfy the needs of a person. For many Americans, success is enough for them to be happy. An American's view of "Ultimate reality" may be the 4 million dollar mansion with a 5 car garage. The material things truly fulfill them and there is nothing else that could possibly make them any happier. In my opinion, the Hindu view on success is much more realistic and down to earth. As Americans, we are a consumer culture and material wealth is a means of great success. It is hard for us to comprehend that material wealth or power is simply not enough to fulfill a great life. It is important to remember that great success will not bring you fulfillment.
I like how you pointed out that worldly success if something that spans across all genres of music. It is interesting that in the American culture, success is viewed as an ultimate goal whereas is the Hindu culture success is not really enough for true happiness. And I agree, it has to do a lot with how materialistic our society is.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the focus on success is a huge part of American culture. I feel that, unlike the Hinduism aim, that in American culture success can imply doing whatever it takes to reach the top, regardless of the rules in place or consequences brought about.
ReplyDeleteSome very interesting points made by all. I also was surprised that worldly success spans all genres of music. I think that the definition of success differs from culture to culture, and obviously in America success is measured financially. I do not know what the best definition of success is, but i think the idea of striving for something better is the goal.
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