This song opens the 2012 album "Sounds
that can't be made" and has received both a lot of praise and a lot of
criticism.
Consider the following questions:
1: What do you think of the lyrics? Comment
on at least one quote that you like/dislike. Do you understand why many people
are angry?
2: What do you think of the song? Explain
why you like/dislike it.
3: Is this a song that could change the
world?
Marillion
- Gaza Lyrics
When I was young it all seemed
like a game
Living here brought no sense of shame
But now I'm older I've come to understand
Once we had houses
Once we had land
They rained down bullets on us as our homes collapsed
We lay beneath the rubble terrified
Hoping.. Dare we dream?
We gave up waiting
For us, to dream is still a dream
When I woke up, the house was broken stones
We suddenly had nothing
And nothing's changed
We live, eight people, in this overcrowded heat
Factory-farmed animals living in our own sweat
Living like this is all my baby brother ever knew
The world does nothing. What can we do?
We will kick the ball
We will skip the rope
We will play outside. Be careful
We will paint and draw. We will say our prayers
Outside the pitiless sun bleaches the broken streets
The darkness drops in the evening like an iron door
The men play cards under torchlight
The women stay inside
Hell can erupt in a moment day or night
You ask for trouble if you stray too close to the wall
My father died ..feeding the birds
Mum goes in front of me to check for soldiers
For every hot-head stone ten come back
For every hot-head stone a hundred come back
For every rocket fired the drones come back
For thirteen years the roads have all been closed
We're isolated. We're denied medical supplies
Fuel and work are scarce. They build houses on our farms
The old men weep. The young men take up arms.
We're packed like chickens in this town of block cement
I get headache from the diesel. When it rains, the sewers too
I had no idea what martyrdom meant
Until my older brother.. my older brother
I'm sorry. I can't continue.
You sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind, it is said
When people know they have no future
Can we blame them if we cannot tame them?
And when their hopes and dreams are broken
And they feel they might as well be dead
As they go, will we forgive them
If they take us with them?
Stay close
Stay home
Stay calm
Have faith
With the love of our family we can rise above anything
Someday surely someone must help us
With the love of our family we can rise above anything
Someday surely someone must help us
Even now we will go to school
Even now we will dream to dream
Someday surely someone must help us
Nothing's ever simple - that's for sure
There are grieving mothers on both sides of the wire
And everyone deserves a chance to feel the future just might be bright
But any way you look at it - whichever point of view
For us to have to live like this
It just aint right
It just aint right
It just aint right
We all want peace and freedom that's for sure
But peace won't come from standing on our necks
Everyone deserves a chance to feel the future just might be bright
But any way you look at this - whichever point of view
For us to have to live like this
It just aint right
It just aint right
It just aint right
It's like a nightmare rose up slouching towards Bethlehem
Like a nightmare rose up from this small strip of land
Slouching towards Bethlehem
It's like a nightmare rose up from this small strip of land
Slouching towards Bethlehem
Stay close
Stay home
Have faith
I can't know what twist of history did this to me
It's like a nightmare
With the love of our family
We can rise above anything
Some day surely someone must help us...
Living here brought no sense of shame
But now I'm older I've come to understand
Once we had houses
Once we had land
They rained down bullets on us as our homes collapsed
We lay beneath the rubble terrified
Hoping.. Dare we dream?
We gave up waiting
For us, to dream is still a dream
When I woke up, the house was broken stones
We suddenly had nothing
And nothing's changed
We live, eight people, in this overcrowded heat
Factory-farmed animals living in our own sweat
Living like this is all my baby brother ever knew
The world does nothing. What can we do?
We will kick the ball
We will skip the rope
We will play outside. Be careful
We will paint and draw. We will say our prayers
Outside the pitiless sun bleaches the broken streets
The darkness drops in the evening like an iron door
The men play cards under torchlight
The women stay inside
Hell can erupt in a moment day or night
You ask for trouble if you stray too close to the wall
My father died ..feeding the birds
Mum goes in front of me to check for soldiers
For every hot-head stone ten come back
For every hot-head stone a hundred come back
For every rocket fired the drones come back
For thirteen years the roads have all been closed
We're isolated. We're denied medical supplies
Fuel and work are scarce. They build houses on our farms
The old men weep. The young men take up arms.
We're packed like chickens in this town of block cement
I get headache from the diesel. When it rains, the sewers too
I had no idea what martyrdom meant
Until my older brother.. my older brother
I'm sorry. I can't continue.
You sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind, it is said
When people know they have no future
Can we blame them if we cannot tame them?
And when their hopes and dreams are broken
And they feel they might as well be dead
As they go, will we forgive them
If they take us with them?
Stay close
Stay home
Stay calm
Have faith
With the love of our family we can rise above anything
Someday surely someone must help us
With the love of our family we can rise above anything
Someday surely someone must help us
Even now we will go to school
Even now we will dream to dream
Someday surely someone must help us
Nothing's ever simple - that's for sure
There are grieving mothers on both sides of the wire
And everyone deserves a chance to feel the future just might be bright
But any way you look at it - whichever point of view
For us to have to live like this
It just aint right
It just aint right
It just aint right
We all want peace and freedom that's for sure
But peace won't come from standing on our necks
Everyone deserves a chance to feel the future just might be bright
But any way you look at this - whichever point of view
For us to have to live like this
It just aint right
It just aint right
It just aint right
It's like a nightmare rose up slouching towards Bethlehem
Like a nightmare rose up from this small strip of land
Slouching towards Bethlehem
It's like a nightmare rose up from this small strip of land
Slouching towards Bethlehem
Stay close
Stay home
Have faith
I can't know what twist of history did this to me
It's like a nightmare
With the love of our family
We can rise above anything
Some day surely someone must help us...
Sandra Larsen:
SvarSlet1:
I , personally, like the lyrics. The lyrics are very controversial, since it is about an international conflict, and I really like that. The lyrics are not just about something pointless and commercial; it is about something very important that is going on in this world. One of the quotes that really caught my attention is the very last line of the song: “Some day surely someone must help us”. It seems like a cry for help. The people in Gaza do not live under good conditions. Gaza is right in the middle of Palestine and Israel, and that means that Gaza is in the middle of a conflict. They know that it cannot continue like this, and that someone from the outside has got help them. The world has to work together to solve the problem. Because this song as controversial as it is it will upset some people. You are either siding with the Palestinians or the Israelis, so some people will feel offended by this song. Even though the lyrics never comment on who’s fault it is, people will still feel targeted due to various interpretations.
2:
I do not like the song overall. It is not really my type of music, and it is a little too long for my taste. As I have mentioned before, I like lyrics, but the music is a little too odd for me. The song seems like a mixture of several different songs and genres, which makes the song a bit confusing to follow, especially if you do not have the lyrics in front of you. I like the fact that the song is meaningful though. It is very important that this song is delivering such a strong and universal message. This song is a global song that touches upon a very touchy subject, and hopefully it can influence its audience.
3:
I do not think that this song can change the world. The song contains a very strong and important message, but it does not reach out to enough people to make a difference. The band, Marillion, may have a big fan base, but it is still not famous enough to reach to a audience that is big enough to change the world. It truly is a shame, because something has got to be done in Gaza. The world has got to come together and make a change. The song has the potential to change the world, but it has been released the “wrong” band.
Good post. Why is the length of the song a problem? Are you in a hurry?
SletWell, no, but if it was shorter perhaps it would be more catchy and get more people's attention.
SletI think the lyrics are good, but they tend to get a little bit too sentimental sometimes. I think that instead of focussing on how bad their lives are, he should have focussed some more on getting people to realise the horrors and then make them help.
SvarSletI like the quote “I had no idea what martyrdom meant” because it makes the listener realise the innocence of this, I assume, child. A child who does not know what “holy war” is, but has suffered because of it, because becoming a martyr killed his older brother.
I understand why some people get angry, because as I see it, the lead singer of Marillion is not being very objective about the subject, I actually think he is parting a little bit with the Palestinians. But then again he also says “There are grieving mothers on both sides of the wire”, which means that both sides are losing someone.
2.) I liked the song’s message, but I think it is a bit too long, you could shortened it down to ten minutes or less. The instrumental part of the song was very varying. Sometimes it was great and had a really cool sound, but then at other times it became very dull and sort of boring. Overall a bit too long, but good song.
3.) I think it is a bit too “weak” and by that I mean that it does not tell people to stop staring start doing something NOW! It just tells the world about the horrors of Gaza, and I do not believe that is enough. It is also too long and not “mainstream” enough to reach a big enough crowd I think. It might defeat the purpose of the song if it was made more pop-like, but it would reach a lot more people that way.
The part where you say that it's to sentimental and that you should rather hear about the horrors, in the sentimental part of the song, you clearly hear all about the horror, by the way that these people feel.
Slet- but I think your right with the songs length, it is indeed too long.
Sofie Bathum
Good post. Why do you think the lyrics are sentimental?
SletDenne kommentar er fjernet af forfatteren.
SletHitler..
SletI agree regarding your second answer (concering the lyrics and 'sound' of the song). I still think that even 10 minutes would be too long for a song, but I otherwise agree when it comes to people's interest and the intensity level. Well done.
SletRevin
SvarSlet1. What do you think of the lyrics?
Comment on at least one quote that you like/dislike. Do you understand why many people are angry?
I think the lyrics and the message of the song are easy to understand. The lyrics represent the singer’s feelings, and you see that throughout the song.
“The world does nothing. What can we do?”
I like how he uses this quote directly. He is not trying to hide the fact, that the world is absolutely doing nothing with this conflict that has been created between these two countries, he literally puts it down, like he is blaming the world for not acting, for not solving the problem that they have created from the first place.
And then he says: “what can we do”, like what should we do with the fact, that the world is doing nothing in order to solve the conflict between the two countries.
I understand why many people are angry, but I don't understand why they would be angry about the song. The song is in itself not criticizing nor is it taking sides with anyone.
I think the fact that this conflict has become such a sensitive subject, is because no matter what solution, somebody is going to be hurt in some sort.
2. What do you think of the song? Explain why you like/dislike it.
I like the lyrics, but I don't really like the song, meaning the music and singer’s voice.
The lyrics have a very strong meaning, which I am very fond of. The music or song in itself is not my type of music.
3. Is this a song that could change the world?
I believe it could be. If the Marillion got A LOT more fame, I believe people would see how strong the meaning of the song is, and how we (the world) should do something about these conflicts, especially if we were the ones who created them.
Emma Nolling
SvarSletI think that the lyrics of the song Gaza are very good. They touch you as a person, and describes the lifes of the people in Gaza very well. The best part of it all is that he doesn't condemn or blame anyone, instead he explains the situation, and tells us that this is not okay. I especially like the part where he sings: "Factory farmed animals living in our own sweat, Living like this is all my baby brother ever knew, The world does nothing. What can we do?" I like this quote because, it touches so many touchy subjects.
The song is great, I like the fact that they change the mood and tempo of the song according to the lyrics, because the feelings thereby affect you more.
I believe that the song could change the world, because it's trying to communicate with the rest of the world, and because it is like a cry for help from the citizens in Gaza. But it will be hard to make everyone listen and take action. But i am sure, that as long as people spread the song around in their community, someone will listen. Someone will help.
Heidi and Sarah
SletWe totally agree in your view upon the lyrics, but we find the song too long. It becomes uninteresting after a while.
Not very good lyrics. Too long. You are very wrong and i do not agree with you.
SletHave a bad day!
Emma... your coolness overshadows my lust to actually read what you wrote. Thumbs up from here just for being nice.
SletHeidi and Sarah:
SletI can see why ypu think the song is too long. Most songs nowadays are from 3-5 minutes. And i can tell that you listen to more pop and/or indie related music, than Rock. But i do hope you will find more modern rock bands and listen to them. :)
Magnus:
I see you are only interested in hate, and starting a discussion. Bet thats how your day goes ? But well, if you don't think the lyrics are good, then you are very ignorant.
Ethan:
Thank you very much Mr. You Know Who(Ethan), i do my very best to be awesome. Too bad i don't have a mustache :( But i do think that you should read my comment.
- Emma
Marillion – Gaza
SvarSlet1: What do you think of the lyrics? Comment on at least one quote that you like/dislike. Do you understand why many people are angry?
• The lyrics are very moving, but at the same time provocative view of the life in Gaza. I somewhat understand the people who are angry, but again not. The lead singer in the interview said that the intention with the song was that people would help especially children in Gaza. I think some people may have misunderstood the intention with the song is.
Quote:
Hoping… dare we dream?
We gave up waiting
For us, to dream is still a dream
I really like this quote in the text. When seeing this quote, it gives us an impression that they want to hope, but they do not dare to dream. It is a meaningful quote.
2: What do you think of the song? Explain why you like/dislike it.
• The song is not that kind of genre that I use to listen to, but I don’t think it is bad at all. I like the melody in the song, and I like some of the lyrics for example the quote I choose in question nr.1. Overall I think the song is okay, but really long.
3: Is this a song that could change the world?
• In my opinion I don’t think that this song could change the world, but that just what I think. But I believe that many people in the world, thinks that this song could have changed the world. It is not a song that could “attract” people and make people go “WOW”. Again it is just what I think.
Michelle Tran
Well-written post. Why is it a problem that the song i long? Are you in a hurry? :-)
Sletmoi.. you are a moi
Slet3)
SletWe agree that the song probably couldn't change the world, but if someone big like Justin Bieber published it, more people would've heard it, and then it might've changed the world.
Aren't JB's fans to young to vote?
Slet1:
SvarSletThe lyrics are very informing, and it’s obvious that a lot of research has been done about this topic. “For thirteen years the roads have all been closed. We’re isolated. We’re denied medical supplies. Fuel and work are scarce. They build houses on our farms.” This quote says a lot about how horrible their lives must be, while to be honest, the quote: “I had no idea what martyrdom meant, until my older brother… my older brother… I’m sorry. I can’t continue.” seems a bit too sentimental to be put in a song.
A lot of people are angry, because they think that the lyrics are just straight up lies, and that the song was wrote to criticize the Jews.
2:
The song itself seemed very disharmonic, as it not only changed rhythm quite often, but the lead singer’s tone of voice changed throughout the song as well. They probably did that to symbolize the chaos that reigns down there at the moment, and has for the past 50 years.
3:
It definitely is a song that could change the world, considering that when the suppression of the Afro-Americans was brought to attention through song, people acted, and this brings huge attention to the current problem in Gaza.
I sort of disagree with you, when you say that the song could change the world. The song has the potential to make a difference, but I don't think it gets out to a wide enough audience. It is a shame, since it could bring a lot of attention to the current issue in Gaza.
Slet- Sandra L.
Good answer, especially to question 2. Could you give me an example of songs helping Afro-Americans?
SletWell "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson definitely changed the world for Afro-Americans, since it was the first ever music video to feature an Afro-American.
SletI agree with your post, it is very good and meaningful. This song has the potential to change the world, to make the world a better place. Especially for the people living in Gaza. It brings a lot of attention to the problem, and it may be what helps solving the problem.
SletPeace, I'm out
Bjørn
SvarSlet1:
The lyrics are easy to understand without too many contractions to reduce the number of syllables to make the lines rhyme.
I think the lyrics got some passages which are too sentimental. For example “until my older brother.. my older brother. I’m sorry. I can’t continue.” It makes it hard for me to take the song serious, in spite of serious topic the song I s about.
It’s easy to misunderstand the sender’s message if you are too implicated in the situation going on in Gaza. Like the lead singer said in the interview, he only says that the situation is wrong, he does not accuse anyone.
2.
I like the song in some ways, but I think it’s too long and the bridges between the different parts of the song are too loose to unite the song.
3.
The song is simply too long. People won’t take the time to listen and understand the meaning.
I definitely agree with you. Not only does the song not get the attention it should, to change the world, but it isn't catchy enough. The song is extremely long and people rarely ever take the time to listen to it.
Slet-Sandra L.
Good post. Why do you think people have stopped listening to long songs?
SletI disagree with you. I think it is very nice when the lyrics are sentimental, it made me cry 5 times. That is the greatest part about this song, it really touches me.
SletBecause people think that long songs generally are boring. The songs don't change enough. Therefore people chooses short songs with catchy melodys.
Slet1. I think the lyrics are worth thinking about, they are extremely touchy, and they are easy to understand. The fact that they are easy to understand, means for me, that it feels more down to earth, it feels simple, not the problem they are singing about, but it’s a language you understand, because it isn’t just fine words and formal language, its everyday language.
SvarSletA sentence/quote, there caught my attention was: “And everyone deserves a chance to feel the future just might be bright”. It’s such a strong message, and if you imagine that you only see a future with endless war and unbearable pain, then what is the world for a place, to live in? It’s a terrible and dark place. With no room for joy and happiness.
No I don’t see why they are angry, the angry ones should be the ones who are living in Gaza, they are feeling abandon by the world, according to this song. So no, I can’t see why anyone should feel angry, because of this song.
2. I like it, it’s long, but I like it. The message is good, we have to help the ones in this world who can’t help them self. It isn’t only in Gaza people are under that much stress and pressure, that Marillion sings about, so it’s relevant in other cases then just Gaza as well.
I think it’s a very long song, but somehow it only feels like 5 minutes, I like the change of music, so it is not only the same plain melody, but it changes.
3. I don’t think this song could change the world. The lyrics could, but not the song. Sadly it’s too long and it isn’t the kind of music most people listen to. Maybe if they made a song in the average song length, and made it catchier, it could change the world.
- Sofie Bathum
I agree that the story they sing about is worth thinking about, and the text is easy to understand.
Slet- but i mean its so clear to understand why they are angry, its because they feel the pain, that the people in gaza live in everyday, and because they want to make it diffrent.
if you see it from that angle I see it too :)
Slet- Sofie Bathum
1: What do you think of the lyrics? Comment on at least one quote that you like/dislike. Do you understand why many people are angry?
SvarSletI think the lyrics are good, they really tell you how it is to live/grow up in Palestine/Gaza. You are trapped and you not free in the counties.
The first quote that I have chosen is “the world does nothing. What can we do?” I am a Palestinian and I agree with what he means. Most of the people know what is happening in Palestine, but they “ignore” it, they don’t help, they let them kill each other.
I don’t understand why many people are angry. Everybody has their own point of view and he just sings the way he see it.
2: What do you think of the song? Explain why you like/dislike it.
I like the lyrics, but it’s not my type of music (rock) I think it’s noisy, that’s the only thing that I dislike.
3: Is this a song that could change the world?
Yes, I think it could change the world, I think people would definitely think about what it is to live/grown up in a war.
- Sarah El Khatib
Well-written post. Do you think you would feel differently about the song if you lived in Israel?
SletSarah
SletSome israeli would maybe agree with me and some woundn't agree, but i would understand them, because we have two different point of views and I'm pretty sure that we will never agree.
Denne kommentar er fjernet af forfatteren.
SvarSletDenne kommentar er fjernet af forfatteren.
SletI agree with you. You have some very clever and meaningful points of view.
Slet1. What do you think of the lyrics? Comment on at least one quote that you like/dislike. Do you understand why many people are angry?
SvarSletI think the lyrics are god. They describes the situation god, but in a different way. But sometimes they get a little too sentimental. Ex:
"Until my older brother….my older brother
I'm sorry. I can't continue."
I specially like the sentences "With love of our family we can rise above anything" The first thing I thought about when I heard that sentence was my own family, and how much they means to me. If you want people to feel sympathy, family is always a weak spot. A sentence with the word family always tells much more than that which derives directly. The word family contains: Love, happiness, safety and pleasure.
2. What do you think of the song? Explain why you like/dislike it.
The message in this song is well. The things going on in Gaza is a weak spot, to talk about. But I think this song does it in a good way. I really like the lyrics, but I don’t think the music fit so well to the topic. The music changes a lot, and I think it makes it a little confusing.
3. Is this a song that could change the world?
I don’t think so. It is a very big issue to set about, and I do not think a single song can change that.
Heidi and Sarah
SletWe think you are right about the lyrics. We think they are very good too, and they certainly have a nice message, but sometimes it is too much, which makes it seem a little lame.
Hello!
SvarSletI wanna asnswer your questions!
1. What do you think of the lyrics?
- I think it’s some very thoughtful lyrics, I really like the meaning behind, it get me thiking about what we can do to chance that!
Quotes I like/dislike?
- “my father died.. feeding the birds” - that’s get me think about how dangerous and awful it was to live there, i cant imagine to live like that, its just kind of crazy for me.
- “ihad no idea what martyrdom meant, until my older brother…my older brother, Im sorry, I cant continue” - its just so awful to think about, that their life was so bad, that they just kill them self, it get me think a lot.
Do you understand why many people is angry?
Yes, kind of, because its awful how bad they live, and it’s a song that says a lot, that maybe not everyone can or will understand.
2. What do you think of the song?
- . I think its touching and thoughtful, so I kind of like it, even though it's a terrible story that is behind. I like it because its get me thinking about how they live, and how we can chance it.
3. Is this a song that can chance the world?
- Yes I think, because is get people think about what we can do, so they can have a better life in the future.
I generally enjoyed your post. However, I'd like you to double check your spelling before posting. Some of the mistakes you make are easily avoidable, and I think you need to think twice about not being contradictive in your posts. You say that you believe that the song can actually change the world; yet you also state that you don't think many people actually understand the meaning of it.
SletGood post, but please spell check next time. Other than that I think your analysis is great and you include the essentials necessary for writing a short review.
Written by Mr. You Know Who (totally not Ethan)
Oh.. thanks!
Slet- Not everyone can be a master to english, but i will do my best.
Heidi
SvarSlet1: What do you think of the lyrics? Comment on at least one quote that you like/dislike. Do you understand why many people are angry?
I can see, why some people might be offended by the song, because they misunderstand it. But the song and its lyrics rreally do not say anything offensive - it just explains how it is to live in that area.
The lyrics are quite good, and they make you think a lot about the circumstances down there.
"My father died… feeding the birds" is a really sad quote, because a man gets killed while he is actually doing something good to other living beings. It describes very well how depressing it must be to live with that fear every day.
2: What do you think of the song? Explain why you like/dislike it.
I found the song very progressive, and i liked some parts more than others. The melodic parts sounded very thought-through and harmonic, but other parts seemed quite muddy and confusing to me.
3: Is this a song that could change the world?
Maybe it could. The song definately has a good message to the world, and it really awakes your sympathy for those people, who must live there in danger every day.
I think the quote: "My father died... while feeding the birds." are not about the father feeding the birds and then dying. I think that it's about the father dying and being left in the streets, and the birds eat him.
SletBut besides that i agree, that this song could change the world. :)
- Emma
Emma, I disagree! Noob!
SletI absolutely agree with you answer on question number 3. It is a very good message to the world, and people need the sympathy like this song gives to these people. So yeah, people should help and this song makes us think about how much help some people in the dangerous corners of the world needs.
Slet- Sofie Bathum
Good post. Do you think that it is deliberate that some parts of the song are "quite muddy and confusing"?
SletEthan: it's great that you disagree, but you also need to grow up :)
Sletplease answer with respect ^_^
- Emma
Heidi:
SletI agree with Emma. We should all treat each other respectfully :)
And Thomas: I don't know. Maybe the band wanted it to be like that, but if so, I don't like their choice.
Easy now, Heidi! Live life the way you want life to live you! Wait, that didn't sound right...
SletI think that the lyrics of the song are very graphic as well as explanatory. Each sentence is very different from the other, and therefore you see many different ways of describing the situation in Gaza. Some stanzas consist of only a few words, such as 'Stay close' or 'Stay home', while others consist of up to as many as 13 words: "And everyone deserves a chance to feel the future just might be bright". My general impression of the lyrics is a very negative one; I feel as if the band tried too hard when writing this song.
SvarSletI think the language in the song is neither formal nor informal. It's everyday language but with a few twists and turns. The average sentence consists of something that someone from the middleclass would voice, such as "Even now we will go to school". This isn't fancy in any way, but it appeals to the main target audience, youngsters and adults. It's a language that everyone can understand.
Less is more, but kudos to the band for at least trying to create something they knew would be controversial from the get-go.
I actually dislike the song because of the fact that it fails where it should succeed: The band wants the conflict in Gaza to change - they want peace and harmony. However, the length of the song (17:30) makes me lose interest and well as seriousness. Their credibility is being minimalized as they keep going at it over and over again. In the end I'm sitting with a feeling of repent towards the song, sadly, since it might just be able to change something had it been more appropriately constructed.
So basically, yes: This song COULD change the world, but it hasn't. It should change the world, but it won't. Let's face it: When the band fails to attract their main audience and the people who can actually make a difference, you've also lost the respect for the cause. It's safe to say that I'm sure some people enjoy this song a great deal, and it probably means something to people in Gaza as well. Perhaps it has made a difference to them, but it certainly hasn't changed the conflict. I doubt that anyone feels liberated in Gaza because of this song, but nothing's for sure. I would definitely want to see some interviews with people in Gaza to see if this has had any effect whatsoever. If it has, the band should be proud of its accomplishment.
The fact that the video on YouTube (uploaded on Marillion's official page as well) only has hit roughly 150,000 hits signals the fact that the general public hasn't been paying any attention either. Is this the fault of the music industry and the funds Marillion had available when writing the song, perhaps limiting their actions regarding publicity? No one knows for sure, but one thing's for certain: This song is disliked by me as well as my peers on Tornbjerg, and it seems like the world turned down its collective noses as well.
Thumbs up to Marillion for trying, though. You guys made an effort. Others haven't.
Written by Ethan Shippen.
Well-written (and long) post. Why is it a problem that the song is long? Are you in a hurry?
SletThanks for the feedback, Mr. Grann.
SletI doubt that anyone who's not an avid follower of the band has time to sit down and listen to 17 minutes of this song. I'm absolutely certain that devoted followers of this group appreciate the throughness that went into this project, but me as a casual fan of music can't be persuaded into listening to something this long. If a friend showed me the song, it would be impossible to capture every 'sound' in just a few minutes. There's no real chorus, and I would look at my friend in disbelieve if he said: "Hey, you've got 17 minutes to spare to listen to this band? No?"
Less is more, and it's also an essential quality to be able to make things short but good. That's why we have word limits in our English assignments, eh?
Ethan Shippen
Let's agree to disagree. I think that "more is more". Does that sound logical? :-)
SletSince you're the man who's going to give me my final English grade, I think I'm going to be strategic and go with: "Yes". :-)
SletEthan Shippen
Emil Bonnerup:
SvarSlet1. I think the lyric was very good and giving is message to that person hears it. That message could be that the kids in Gaza do not having are normal lives, that can we hear that that his mother must go in front to check for soldiers.
I understand in one way that people are angry about because of what happing to Jews in World War 2. And the band are see that there happing in Gaza in are now way that people are used to.
2. I think that the song was too long, but the lyrics were very good and giving a new good point of view of what happing in Gaza. So I like this song very much, because that give me are new way to think about what the Gaza on.
3. I think that the song changes the world. Which people update is new point of view of the kids their lives in Gaza. Because we has only hear about how bad the Jaws has it.
I agree with you opinion, but what do you think of the usic/instrumentals ? :)
Slet- Emma
Bonjour! Emil, your answer is so good that I'll refuse to read all of it.
SletTheis
SvarSlet1.
Personally I like the lyrics. They are about an actual problem in the world, and not just about partying and fucking bitches. They are very controversial, because they talk about the Israel/Palestine conflict, which is a big international problem. The town of Gaza is right in the middle of this conflict. A quote that I really like in this text, is “Have faith”. That is a very meaningful quote, because it tells the people of Gaza to keep having faith - to keep believing. The reason that these lyrics make a lot of people angry is that it, once again, is a very controversial topic. Everybody has a strong opinion on this topic, either you think that the Israelis are right, that it is their land, or you think that the Israelis “stole” the country from the Palestinians. This makes people feel offended, because Marillion brings up this topic, even though they do not comment on whose fault it is.
2.
I do not really like this song. I think it is an odd mixture of a lot of different kinds of music and genres. It also has the length of several songs. These things make the song really confusing and therefore a little annoying to listen to. I like the lyrics and the message of the song, but I do not like the song.
3.
I do not think this song could change the world. Neither the song nor the band is well known. Because of this it will not reach an audience big enough to change the world. If the lyrics were shorter and the song had potential to become more popular among more people, the meaning of the song has the potential to change the world.
If the band was well known, would the song, then change the world ? #answercorrectlyplz
SletWe disagree with your opinion of the lyrics. We think that the band exaggerates the feelings in the song, making it hard for the listener to understand their message.
Slet#deep
SletI agree with your point of view, I also think that the lyrics are very sentimental and often too much. You have a lot of good points in your comment. You are very insightful, pretty, funny, nice and clever. You are a good person i think.
SletFrom Paris with love - Magnus
I think you should take a deep breath
SletGuys, if you're using hashtags in posts outside of Twitter... you're spending too much time on social media.
SletZuhreh
SvarSlet1: I think that the lyrics are very meaningful, because it tells us about how this world needs some peace, and that the things going on in several countries are not fair. You get that impression in the following sentence ‘’for thirteen years the roads have all been closed. We’re isolated.’’ That describes the life of people not being able to live free, because of the war taking place.
2: I personally think, that the lyrics in this song makes sense, because we all know that there is war taking place in the world, and therefore something has to change.
3: I honestly don’t think that this song could change the world that much, because this song is not the only one describing how life is during such things. Maybe it will make some people releasing the reality, but I don’t think it has the biggest influence on people’s understanding of the problems taking place during these horrible things.
If the band was as famous as like Justin Bieber, would it then be considered as a song that changed the world ?
Slet- Revin
(No one can be compared with Justin Bieber)
Slet- But Yeah, I think this song could change the world, if they got more famous..
I'm sorry, but why do you think that it won't affect people that much ? Would it be better with a pop song and a video showing the problems ? :)
SletOr do you think that people tend to ignore problems that doesn't involve them ?
This was not to be mean, i was just curious ^_^
- Emma