My favorite song would then appropriately be a Bowie classic, Golden years. This song has been on every mixed CD I made in middle school and high school, and is constantly being added to playlists on my ipod even today. I never change it when it comes up in a shuffle, and when I hear it in public places I feel immediately happy and surprised, as though someone has just given me a gift. I understood the meaning of this particular song when I was thirteen, I knew I was alone however because no one else in my eight grade class would consider voting for it to win the graduation song that year. The song itself is about taking chances and living life to the fullest that you can. It is about opportunities around the corner and never being afraid to takes chances. What is the point of being afraid of life when life is the best thing there it? My favorite line in the song is. "Look at that sky, life's begun, nights are warm and the days are young". This sums up the meaning of the song to me. The horizon is the perfect metaphor for life and opportunity, and it almost represents each day as a new chance to make something new and beautiful. Since night is supposed to be a dark and cold time, Bowie is calling them warm and the days are young, not long.
Alan Watts describes life as this game of success, something we cannot win. We can try and do everything that is expected of us but still go to sleep unsatisfied and feeling tricked, as though everything we have worked for is false. The video we watched in class actually left me feeling a little depressed. As though what is expected of me from my teachers/parents/peers/myself... is just a joke. I know that it is not, but the way Watts represented it made me feel like an insignificant pawn in the dominated game of chess powered by things outside of my control. The reason I love Golden Years so much is because it gives me the opposite reactions to life. The lyrics tell me that I am supposed to take the opportunities handed to me with confidence and hope. What is expected of me out of life is what makes me happy, and as long as I am happy, then I am doing things right. Another one of my favorite lines is "In walked luck and you looked in time" because it suggests this idea of chance. I don't like to believe that my life is planned out for me, and everything has a purpose and a meaning. I choose to believe that a big part of happiness and success lies in chance, and what you do with that chance. One decision could change your life for the good or the bad, but it is still your choice to make.
Music is one of the best ways in which we can express ourselves. Whether it is listening to it, making it, copying it, analyzing it, or simply hearing it in the background, music makes us identify with something. Everyone will identify with something different, which is what makes music so great. It makes life exciting and new when we can relate to something on such a powerful level. In great words sung by Bowie "Don't let me hear life is taking you nowhere.."
Dear Chelsea,
ReplyDeleteDavid Bowe reminds me of my younger childhood days! My parents LOVE David Bowe and I swear I can remember rocking back and forth in my car seat listening to all the albums. I must admit I hadn’t seen any music videos or video clips of him previously but when I watched the video you posted I couldn’t help but dancing. The Golden Year is super catchy! You can’t help but feel giddy and joyful.
I think that it’s really important that artists these days have an authentic type of style to them. Bowe does an excellent job singing songs that have a true meaning and story. He sings with a genuine aspect to him that I really like. I also really loved how you said that his lyrics gave you a completely different view on life. Instead of fearing change and opportunities you feel like you should take control and use your confidence to help guide you through life. More so, I agree with you when you said that part of life is chance and it has to do with how you react to the chances you have which makes you happy and successful. We are constantly making decisions in life and whether or not they are the “right” decisions never the less they are the factors which determine what our tomorrow will be like. I’m really glad you picked this song… I think I will ask my parents to send me their old cd’s and cassettes and reminisce on the good old days!