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History of artist • Gabriele Susanne Kerner (born 24 March 1960), better known by her stage name Nena, is a German singer and actress. She rose to international fame in 1983 with the New German Wave song "99 Luftballons". In 1984, she re-recorded this song in English as "99 Red Balloons".Nenawas also the name of the band with whom she released the song.
History of song • The 1980s were an intense period for the cold war, many artists wrote about what dropping the bomb would mean from a humanitarian standpoint. A red balloon was a symbol of communism and a warning symbol. In the early 80s, a radar detection glitch almost started World War III as a Russian guard made the decision that the three “bombs” he saw on the screen were not real.
“99 Red Balloons” • You and I, and a little toy shopBuy a bag of balloons with the money we've gotSet them free at the break of dawn'Til one by one, they were goneBack at base, bugs in the softwareFlash the message, "Some thing's out there"Floating in the summer skyNinety-nine red balloons go byNinety-nine red balloonsFloating in the summer skyPanic lads, it's a red alertThere's something here from somewhere elseThe war machine springs to lifeOpens up one eager eyeFocusing it on the skyNinety-nine red balloons go byNinety-nine Decision StreetNinety-nine ministers meetTo worry, worry, super-scurryCall the troops out in a hurry • This is what we've waiting forThis is it boys, this is warThe President is on the lineAs ninety-nine red balloons go byNinety-nine knights of the airRiding super high-tech jet fightersEveryone's a super heroEveryone's a Captain KirkWith orders to identify, to clarify and classifyScrambling in the summer skyAs ninety-nine red balloons go byNinety-nine red balloons go byNinety-nine dreams I have hadEvery one a red balloonNow it's all over and I'm standin' prettyIn this dust that was a cityIf I could find a souvenirJust to prove the world was hereAnd here is a red balloonI think of you and let it go
History of artist • Suzanne Nadine Vega (born July 11, 1959) is an American songwriter and singer known for her eclectic folk-inspired music. • Two of Vega's songs (both from her second album Solitude Standing, 1987) reached the top 10 of various international chart listings: "Luka" and "Tom's Diner".
History of song • “Luka” is a song concerning child abuse. This song was one of the earliest to deal with child abuse and domestic violence. One critic said, "the 'happy' music is a metaphorical denial, making this seem beautiful and serene while discussing something terrible and devastating. It is a wonderful use of tune as a metaphor for how many abuse victims also deny their abuse, and is a profound classic.” The song is also a call for people to be more aware of each other.
“Luka” • My name is LukaI live on the second floorI live upstairs from youYes I think you've seen me beforeIf you hear something late at nightSome kind of trouble. some kind of fightJust don't ask me what it wasJust don't ask me what it wasJust don't ask me what it wasI think it's because I'm clumsyI try not to talk too loudMaybe it's because I'm crazyI try not to act too proudThey only hit until you cryAfter that you don't ask whyYou just don't argue anymoreYou just don't argue anymoreYou just don't argue anymore • Yes I think I'm okayI walked into the door againWell, if you ask that's what I'll sayAnd it's not your business anywayI guess I'd like to be aloneWith nothing broken, nothing thrownJust don't ask me how I am [X3]My name is LukaI live on the second floorI live upstairs from youYes I think you've seen me beforeIf you hear something late at nightSome kind of trouble, some kind of fightJust don't ask me what it wasJust don't ask me what it wasJust don't ask me what it wasAnd they only hit until you cryAfter that, you don't ask whyYou just don't argue anymoreYou just don't argue anymoreYou just don't argue anymore
History of Artist • Sam Cooke (January 22, 1931 – December 11, 1964) is considered to be one of the pioneers and founders of soul music. He is commonly known as the King of Soul for his distinctive vocal abilities and influence on the modern world of music. His contribution in pioneering soul music led to the rise of Aretha Franklin, Bobby Womack, Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and popularized the likes of Otis Redding and James Brown. • Cooke had 30 U.S. top 40 hits between 1957 and 1964, and a further three after his death. Major hits like "You Send Me", "A Change Is Gonna Come", "Cupid", "Chain Gang", "Wonderful World", and "Twistin' the Night Away" are some of his most popular songs. Cooke was also among the first modern black performers and composers to attend to the business side of his musical career. He founded both a record label and a publishing company as an extension of his careers as a singer and composer. He also took an active part in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. • On December 11, 1964, Cooke was fatally shot by the manager of the Hacienda Motel in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 33. At the time, the courts ruled that Cooke was drunk and distressed, and that the manager had killed Cooke in what was later ruled a justifiable homicide. Since that time, the circumstances of his death have been widely questioned.
History behind song • American Civil Rights movement • A song of hope and optimism that everything cannot stay as it is • Cooke was a Gospel singer at heart and believed that the world would better itself • The song bridged the multiple and diverse feelings about America in the black community - the portion that wants to forget about all the pain and suffering, the portion which honors the pain and suffering, and the portion which is determined to stick together to overcome this in the face of obstacles. There's something for everybody in this song who is working to overcome a tragic history." Sam Cooke tapped into the despair, the anger, and the frustration that many black Americans felt in the context of persistent racism, while managing to maintain a hopeful tone. He realized that the tide was beginning to change by the early to mid-1960s in American race relations. There is almost a self-assured tone in this song - he didn't hope that a change was going to come, he knew it would.
Sam Cooke “A Change is Gonna Come” • "A Change Is Gonna Come"I was born by the river in a little tentAnd just like that river I've been running ever sinceIt's been a long time comingBut I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it willIt's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to dieCos I don't know what's out there beyond the skyIt's been a long, a long time comingBut I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it willI go to the movieAnd I go down town somebody keep telling me don't hang aroundIts been along time comingBut I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it willThen I go to my brotherAnd I say brother help me pleaseBut he winds up knockin' meBack down on my kneesThere were times when I thought I couldn't last for longBut now I think I'm able to carry onIt's been a long, a long time comingBut I know a change gone come, oh yes it will
History of artist • Peter Brian Gabriel (born 13 February 1950) is an English singer, musician, songwriter and activist who rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the progressive rock band Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career. His 1986 album, So, is his most commercially successful, and the album's biggest hit, "Sledgehammer", won a record nine MTV Awards at the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards, and the song is the most played music video in the history of the station. • More recently, Gabriel has focused on producing and promoting world music and pioneering digital distribution methods for music. He has also been involved in various humanitarian efforts. • In 1986 he started what has become a longstanding association with Amnesty International, becoming a pioneering participant in all 28 of Amnesty's Human Rights Concerts— a series of music events and tours staged by the US Section of Amnesty International between 1986-1998. • He has performed in Amnesty's Secret Policeman's Ball benefit shows in collaboration with other artists and friends such as Lou Reed, David Gilmour and YoussouN'Dour; Gabriel closed those concerts performing his anti-apartheid anthem Biko.
History of the song • "Biko" is a protest song by British rock musician Peter Gabriel. The song was included on Gabriel's third album, Peter Gabriel (1980). It is about Steve Biko, a noted black South African anti-apartheid activist. • Biko had been arrested by the South African police in late August 1977. After being held in custody for several days, he was interrogated in room 619 of the Walmer Street prison in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. Following the interrogation, during which he sustained serious head injuries, Biko was transferred to a prison in Pretoria, where he died shortly afterwards, on 12 September 1977.
Steve Bantu Biko (December 18, 1946 – September 12, 1977) was a noted anti-apartheid activist in South Africa in the 1960s and early 1970s. A student leader, he later founded the Black Consciousness Movement which would empower and mobilize much of the urban black population. Since his death in police custody, he has been called a martyr of the anti-apartheid movement. While living, his writings and activism attempted to empower blacks, and he was famous for his slogan, "black is beautiful," which he described as meaning: "man, you are okay as you are, begin to look upon yourself as a human being." The ANC was very hostile to Biko and to Black Consciousness through the 1970s to the mid 1990s but has now included Biko in the pantheon of the struggle's heroes, going so far to use his image for campaign posters in South Africa's first democratic elections, in 1994.
In 1987, Richard Attenborough directed the movie, Cry Freedom, telling Biko's story (based on Donald Wood's book), which helped to attract international support for the anti-apartheid struggle. The sheer brutality of how the majority population were treated shocked many, even some who had previously tended to sympathize with the whites on the basis that black Africans could not be expected to run the country as successfully or efficiently as they did. When, following Nelson Mandela's release from prison in 1990, the Apartheid system was replaced by a multi-racial democracy, the euphoria that followed was global. To some degree, Biko's death helped to make this happen.
Biko • September '77Port Elizabeth weather fineIt was business as usualIn police room 619Oh Biko, Biko, because BikoOh Biko, Biko, because BikoYihlaMoja, YihlaMojaThe man is deadThe man is deadWhen I try to sleep at nightI can only dream in redThe outside world is black and whiteWith only one colour deadOh Biko, Biko, because BikoOh Biko, Biko, because BikoYihlaMoja, YihlaMojaThe man is deadThe man is dead • You can blow out a candleBut you can't blow out a fireOnce the flames begin to catchThe wind will blow it higherOh Biko, Biko, because BikoYihlaMoja, YihlaMojaThe man is deadThe man is deadAnd the eyes of the world are watching now, watching now
The Cranberries • The Cranberries are an Irish rock band formed in 1989. The band incorporates punk rock and Irish folk elements. The Cranberries rose to international fame in the 1990s with their debut album.
History of the song • This was inspired by the IRA bombing in Warrington, Cheshire in 1993. Two children, Jonathan Ball and Tim Parry, were killed. The IRA (The Irish Republican Army) is a militant group determined to remove British troops from Northern Ireland. • Lead singer Dolores O'Riordan claimed that "Zombie" speaks about "The Irish fight for independence that seems to last forever." The lyrics even say, "It's the same old theme since 1916." Like the responsive works of Yeats, Heaney and U2, the Cranberries claim they wrote "Zombie" to be a "Song for peace, peace among England and Ireland."
“Zombie” • Another head hangs lowly, Child is slowly taken. And the violence caused such silence, Who are we mistaken? But you see, it's not me, it's not my family. In your head, in your head they are fighting, With their tanks and their bombs, And their bombs and their guns. In your head, in your head, they are crying... In your head, in your head, Zombie, zombie, zombie, Hey, hey, hey. What's in your head, In your head, Zombie, zombie, zombie? Hey, hey, hey, hey, oh, dou, dou, dou, dou, dou... • Another mother's breakin', Heart is taking over. When the vi'lence causes silence, We must be mistaken. It's the same old theme since nineteen-sixteen. In your head, in your head they're still fighting, With their tanks and their bombs, And their bombs and their guns. In your head, in your head, they are dying... In your head, in your head, Zombie, zombie, zombie, Hey, hey, hey. What's in your head, In your head, Zombie, zombie, zombie? Hey, hey, hey, hey, oh, oh, oh, Oh, oh, oh, oh, hey, oh, ya, ya-a...
History of the artist • Marvin Gaye (April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984), born Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr., was an American singer-songwriter and musician. Gaye helped to shape the sound of Motown Records in the 1960s with a string of hits including "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and duet recordings with Mary Wells and Tammi Terrell, later earning the titles "Prince of Motown" and "Prince of Soul". During the 1970s, Gaye recorded the concept albums What's Going Onbecame among the first artists in Motown to break away from the reins of its production company. Gaye's later recordings influenced several R&B subgenres such as quiet storm and neo-soul.
History of the artist continued • At around 11:38 am on April 1, 1984, as Marvin was seated on his bed talking to his mother, Gaye's father shot at Marvin twice. The first shot, which entered the right side of Gaye's chest, was fatal, having perforated his vital organs. The shooting occurred after Marvin and his parents were involved in an argument over misplaced business documents, which had gone on constantly for several days. Gaye was taken to the emergency room of the California Hospital Medical Center and was pronounced dead on arrival at 1:01 pm. Gaye died a day before turning 45.The gun Marvin Gay, Sr. shot his son with was given to him by Marvin as a Christmas present
History of the song • On June 10, 1970, Gaye returned to Hitsville U.S.A., where he recorded his new composition "What's Going On", inspired by an idea from Renaldo "Obie" Benson of the Four Tops after he witnessed an act of police brutality at an anti-war rally in Berkeley. Upon hearing the song, Berry Gordy refused its release due to his feelings of the song being "too political" for radio.Gaye responded by going on strike from recording until the label released the song.Released in 1971, it reached number one on the R&B charts within a month, staying there for five weeks. It also reached the top spot on Cashbox's pop chart for a week and reached number two on the Hot 100 and the Record World chart, selling over two million copies.
“What’s Going On” • Mother, motherThere's too many of you cryingBrother, brother, brotherThere's far too many of you dyingYou know we've got to find a wayTo bring some lovin' here today - YaFather, fatherWe don't need to escalateYou see, war is not the answerFor only love can conquer hateYou know we've got to find a wayTo bring some lovin' here todayPicket lines and picket signsDon't punish me with brutalityTalk to me, so you can seeOh, what's going onWhat's going onYa, what's going onAh, what's going on • In the mean timeRight on, babyRight onRight onFather, father, everybody thinks we're wrongOh, but who are they to judge usSimply because our hair is longOh, you know we've got to find a wayTo bring some understanding here todayOhPicket lines and picket signsDon't punish me with brutalityTalk to meSo you can seeWhat's going onYa, what's going onTell me what's going onI'll tell you what's going on - UhRight on babyRight on baby
History of artist • Stephen William Bragg (born 20 December 1957) — known as Billy Bragg — is an English alternative rock musician and left-wing activist. His music blends elements of folk music, punk rock and protest songs, and his lyrics mostly deal with political or romantic themes. His music career has lasted more than thirty years.
History of song • A protest song of how much things have changed but also stayed the same. Filled with allusions that Billy often changes depending on where he is and what is going on in the news. It starts with allusions to Camelot – JFK and goes from there.
It may have been Camelot for Jack and JacquelineBut on the Che Guevara highway filling up with gasolineFidel Castro's brother spies a rich lady who's cryingOver luxury's disappointmentSo he walks over and he's tryingTo sympathize with her but he thinks that he should warn herThat the Third World is just around the corner In the Soviet Union a scientist is blindedBy the resumption of nuclear testing and he is remindedThat Dr. Robert Oppenheimer's optimism fellAt the first hurdleIn the Cheese Pavilion and the only noise I hearIs the sound of someone stacking chairsAnd mopping up spilt beerAnd someone asking questions and basking in the lightOf the fifteen fame filled minutes of the fanzine writerMixing pop and politics he asks me what the use isI offer him embarrassment and my usual excuses • While looking down the corridorOut to where the van is waitingI'm looking for the great leap forwardsJumble sales are organizedAnd pamphlets have been postedEven after closing time there's still parties to be hostedYou can be active with the activistsOr sleep in with the sleepersWhile you're waiting for the great leap forwards One leap forward, two leaps backWill politics get me the sack?Here comes the future and you can't run from itIf you've got a blacklist I want to be on itIt's a mighty long way down rock 'n rollFrom Top of the Pops to drawing the doleIf no one seems to understandStart your own revolution and cut out the middlemanIn a perfect world we'd all sing in tuneBut this is reality so give me some roomSo join the struggle while you mayThe revolution is just a tee shirt awayWaiting for the great leap forwards
Band • Genesisis an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band consists of its three longest-tenured members - Tony Banks (keyboards) and Mike Rutherford (bass, guitar), who were founding members; and Phil Collins (vocals, drums), who first joined in 1970. Past members include Peter Gabriel (vocals, flute). Genesis is among the top 30 highest-selling recording artists of all time, with approximately 150 million albums sold worldwide.
History of song • A rare political song for Genesis, this questions the wisdom of world leaders at a time when the US and Russia were enemies and there was a threat of nuclear war. Phil Collins called it, "A political song about the mess we have landed in." • The very popular video was made using puppets created by Peter Fluck and Roger Law, who had a British TV series called The Spitting Image. The show would often make fun of Genesis, and by hiring their tormentors, the band proved that they could take a joke. Genesis puppets had been used on the show before, but they made new ones for the video - not very flattering ones either. It was a way for the band to lighten their image from their days as earnest Prog Rockers. The video could go in the Cold War cultural time capsule: at the end, the Ronald Reagan puppet accidentally launches a nuclear missile.
“Land of Confusion” • I must've dreamed a thousand dreamsBeen haunted by a million screamsBut I can hear the marching feetThey're moving into the street.Now did you read the news todayThey say the danger's gone awayBut I can see the fire's still alightThere burning into the night.There's too many menToo many peopleMaking too many problemsAnd not much love to go roundCan't you seeThis is a land of confusion.This is the world we live inAnd these are the hands we're givenUse them and let's start tryingTo make it a place worth living in.Ooh Superman where are you nowWhen everything's gone wrong somehowThe men of steel, the men of powerAre losing control by the hour.Now this is the world we live inAnd these are the hands we're givenUse them and let's start tryingTo make it a place worth fighting for. • This is the world we live inAnd these are the names we're givenStand up and let's start showing • This is the timeThis is the placeSo we look for the futureBut there's not much love to go roundTell me why, this is a land of confusion.I remember long ago -Ooh when the sun was shiningYes and the stars were brightAll through the nightAnd the sound of your laughterAs I held you tightSo long ago -I won't be coming home tonightMy generation will put it rightWe're not just making promisesThat we know, we'll never keep.
History of the artist • An English singer/songwriter who first became famous in the 1970s by playing punk/new wave music. He is known for his prowess in writing lyrics that are very literary and for his outspoken tone when approaching subjects such as England’s monarchy and the state of the world.
History of the song • “Radio, Radio” is a protest song against how over advertisement and the media stray people away from what is really important. It is a song which Costello was banned from performing on Saturday Night Live in the 1980s due to NBC having ties to commercial radio stations. Costello played it anyway and was shut down halfway through the song. He was never asked to be back on SNL again. Costello was frustrated with what he saw as people’s energy being in the wrong place.
Lyrics • I was tuning in the shine on the light night dialDoing anything my radio advisedWith every one of those late night stationsPlaying songs bringing tears to my eyesI was seriously thinking about hiding the receiverWhen the switch broke 'cause it's oldThey're saying things that I can hardly believeThey really think we're getting out of control(CHORUS) Radio is a sound salvationRadio is cleaning up the nationThey say you better listen to the voice of reasonBut they don't give you any choice 'cause they think that it's treasonSo you had better do as you are toldYou better listen to the radio • I wanna bite the hand that feeds meI wanna bite that hand so badlyI want to make them wish they'd never seen meSome of my friends sit around every eveningAnd they worry about the times aheadBut everybody else is overwhelmed by indifferenceAnd the promise of an early bedYou either shut up or get cut up, they don't wanna hear about itIt's only inches on the reel-to-reelAnd the radio is in the hands of such a lot of foolsTryin' to anaesthetise the way that you feel(REPEAT CHORUS)Wonderful radioMarvelous radioWonderful radioRadio, radio
