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Songs of the Self

On some level, it might be argued, every song is about it's creator's own self. After all, the lyrics and musical style certainly convey a worldview gained through the experiences of no one other than the songwriter. Even when the song is meant for a group other than that from which the songwriter comes, there is still a mark or herself or himself in the song. In this group of songs that students chose to analyze, the songs have an explicit mission of encapsulating and conveying personal or group identity. In some cases, this identity is none other than the "soul," the very innermost part of oneself that was the goal of artists of the 19th century. Some of these songs are religious or spiritual, while others are merely—supremely—personal.

Daniel Gold, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony—this choral symphony is about the triumph of one's innermost joy over the forces of tyranny
Selam Nicola, "Wade in the Water"—A slave spiritual, this song uses religious imagery to convey a message about how to achieve freedom
Sam Wilmot, "Don't Stop Me Now"—Freddie Mercury's egocentric dance number about his own wild, self-destructive energy
Stuart Yi, "An die Musik"—for a musician, nothing speaks to the self more than a song in praise of music itself
Nora Mertz, "Bad Religion"—a tricky song in which Frank Ocean gives veiled allusions to his struggle with various kinds of belief
Joe Thursby, "Rich and Sad"—a rap ballad about why Post Malone feels incomplete even after all his success
Kent Hanson, "The Watchman"—an art song by Charles Ives about the solitary activity of keeping vigil
Palina Buchanan, "Gayatri mantra"—this is a religious prayer from the Hindu tradition
Cayden Erlich, "Der Geistertanz"—about the disconnect between our present corporeal lives and our past or future disembodied ones

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Stuart Yi: Analysis of An die Musik - Franz Schubert
Nora Mertz -- Bad Religion Frank Ocean
Joe Thursby Rich and Sad
Kent Hanson Charles Ives Watchman
Palina Gayatri Mantra Podcast 2
Daniel Gold Symphony #9 Final Podcast
Cayden Ehrlich Final Podcast Der Geistertanz
"Wade In The Water" Selam Slave spirituals and specifically the song "Wade in the Water" have a double-entendre in that on the surface, these songs sound purely religious songs that provide hope and optimism. However, for the enslaved people seeking sovereignty, these songs functioned as vehicles into freedom. These songs provided directions, escaping tips and tricks. In this podcast, I analyze the double meaning of the spiritual "Wade in the Water"
Wilmot Podcast 3 "Don't Stop Me Now"