 Blog Action Day: 20 Songs About PovertyBy
Douglas Newman Share:
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Poverty is without question one of the greatest issues facing not just our country, but the entire world. Unfortunately, in this day and age of devisive politics, unprovoked wars, and religious violence, it is too often overlooked. It seems like governments have conceded the fight against global poverty, leaving the bulk of the trench work to NGO’s, non-profits, and faith-based organizations. And that’s just not good enough. While the political activism of musicians is often ridiculed, there’s no denying its power in getting ordinary citizens to stir from their slumber and join the cause, whether that means donating money or volunteering. Regardless, as long as their are vital social and political issues that are being ignored, rock musicians, like any other citizens, have the right and responsibility to speak out and take action. Over the years, music has played an important role in both documenting social and political struggles as well serving as a call to arms to spur action in response to these struggles. In honor of Blog Action Day 2008, what follows is a list of my favorite songs that address poverty in a way that hopes to change the conversation, to raise awareness, to start a global discussion and add momentum to an important cause.
“Poverty Train” by Laura Nyro Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. “Oh baby it looks good and dirty them shiny lights glow/a million night tramps tricks and tracks will come and go/you’re starvin today but who care anyway baby it feels like i’m dying.”
“Ghetto Show” by Talib Kweli (with Common) Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. “A man in front of the store, begging for money and mercy/I told him say a prayer under his breath, he cursed me/Niggaz is thirsty, I heard it’s a drought/Up early, serving from their grandmother’s house/Sometime the ghetto feels desolate, yo the eyes of the hood yo is desperate/Effected by the deficit, times and lessons get hard/Either get by or get god, but but you try to get by.”
“Poverty” by Bobby “Blue” Bland Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. “Lord, I can’t save a dime/Can’t borrow one cent/If I pay my bills/I can’t pay my rent/The old lady’s fussing/And the kids are crying/They won’t let me join/The welfare line/I guess I’m gonna die/Just like I’m living/In poverty.”
“Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)” by Marvin Gaye Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. “Hang ups, let downs/Bad breaks, set backs/Natural fact is/I can’t pay my taxes/Oh, make me wanna holler/And throw up both my hands/Yea, it makes me wanna holler/And throw up both my hands.”
“Poor Old Dirt Farmer” by Levon Helm Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. “Well the poor old dirt farmer, he can’t grow no corn/He can’t grow no corn cause he ain’t got a loan/He ain’t got a loan, he can’t grow no corn/He ain’t got no loan.”
“Welfare Blues” by John Lee Hooker Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. “You know I’m goin’ to the welfare/Ask them can they help me some?/You know I’m goin’ to the welfare/Lord, Lord, Lord/Ask them can they help me some?”
“How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?” by Ry Cooder Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. “Most preachers, well, they preach for gold and not for soul/Well, that’s what keeps us poor folks always in a hole/Now, we can hardly get our breath/Taxed and schooled and preached to death/Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?”
“Crime to Be Broke in America” by Spearhead Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. “The punishment is capital/for those who lack in capital/because a public defender/can’t remember the last time/that a brother wasn’t treated like an animal.”
“Free Money” by Patti Smith Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. “Every night before I go to sleep/Find a ticket, win a lottery/Scoop the pearls up from the sea/Cash them in and buy you all the things you need. ”
“Welfare Music” by The Bottle Rockets Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. “Quit school when she was seventeen/Senator on TV calls her welfare queen/Used to be daddy’s little girl/Now she needs help in this mean ol world…/Welfare music/Watch the baby dance/To the welfare music/Will she ever stand a chance?”
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COMMENTS (11)
[...] Check out JamsBio today for our Blog Action Day post: Songs About Poverty. No Comments so far Leave a comment RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI [...] cecelia said:
Have you heard of Truth On Earth? They are a social action band that write and sing about heavy issues. They are a group of 3 young sisters that have devoted their lives to making a difference. Their song on poverty is called Starvation Diet. Their site is Truthonearthband.com Some lyrics: It’s all a starvation diet – Why does it have to be that way? emoboy said:
Hi, Check out the pictures of my new emo hair style cheritycall said:
Hi, Give something for help those hungry people from Africa and India, roalirway said:
mm… thank you Almomirok said:
mm. thanks.. Дайна said:
Хотелось бы что-то наваять в комментах креативного, но мысль не складывается, так что просто “зачОт” Словарь Юриста said:
списки кандидатов, выдвигаемые партиями политическими и избирательными объединениями (блоками) для выборах в представительные органы, проводимые сообразно пропорциональной избирательной системе. Архитектура said:
ОВА Онисим said:
Очень покорила ваша статья, в ней зажато весьма значительно поднято с нашей гуманной повседневной жизни и это даже отлично! Есть над чем поразмыслить Alex48 said:
They suggest that this null hypothesis has withstood all attempts to reject it. , |
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