Research

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Killing in the name – Rage against the machine

o Melody (including lyrics and meanings if applicable)

The lyrics talk about islamophobia and hatred against minorities. The melody fluctuates between sounding soft and getting heavier as does the meaning.

o Harmony & Tonality (key)

The song is very angry/ upsetting and is in a minor key. No chord progression, things stay the same.

o Instrumentation

changes throughout the song, in some places its thicker making it sound angry but goes especially thin and sounds more sad.

o Rhythm & Meter (Time Signature)

4/4 , staying the same.

o Structure (Verse, Chorus / A, B, etc.)

A,B,C,B,C

o Historical impact and success of cause

Not much historical impact, but gets a message across.

 

Asking for it – Hole Asking For It Hole – Asking for It Lyrics | Genius Lyrics ASKING FOR IT CHORDS by Hole @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

o Melody (including lyrics and meanings if applicable)

The lyrics talk about topics such as rape and the sexualisation of women in the media. The vocalist, Courtney Love, had an experience in which she did a stage dive in a dress and was assaulted by an entire crowd.

o Harmony & Tonality (key)

The song is in major in order to seem sarcastic because the meaning is darker than it sounds.

o Instrumentation

Clean guitars used in the verses and bridge but lots of distortion occasionally at the end of verses to convey anger and desperation. Basic rock band set up; Guitars, vocals,drums and bass.

o Rhythm & Meter (Time Signature)

4/4 signifying that it will always stay the same.

o Structure (Verse, Chorus / A, B, etc.)

Pop structure ABABCBD

o Historical impact and success of cause

Hole as a band are very well known by many grunge/punk fans. This is one of the many songs on the album Live through this that touches on topics of inequality between sexes and abuse whether it be physical or mental.

Lola – The Kinks

o Melody (including lyrics and meanings if applicable)

About the acceptance of drag queens and transgender people. Vocalist implies that he doesn’t care because he is in love.

o Harmony & Tonality (key)

It is major

o Instrumentation

Clean toned, with slight distortion. It also sounds like it uses a 12 string guitar, has that classic 70’s sound. This makes it easier to listen to, the meaning can then reach lots of people.

o Rhythm & Meter (Time Signature)

It is in 4/4, more common making it easier for most people to access/ listen to.

o Structure (Verse, Chorus / A, B, etc.)

A,B,A,B,C,A,B,D,A,B,D. This isn’t a typical song structure, makes it sound unusual. Could imply that it is not what it seams on the surface.

o Historical impact and success of cause

Song was released in 1970, follows the hippie movement. Talking about such topics would have been seen as taboo. It got to the top 10 in the charts for both UK and US despite its “risqué lyrics”

 

Police Truck – Dead Kennedys Police Truck

o Melody (including lyrics and meanings if applicable)

The lyrics talk about police brutality and police officers abusing their power. The lyrics are about some police officers drinking on the job, gang raping sex workers, abusing drunk people and getting away with it because they think the law doesn’t apply to them

o Harmony & Tonality (key)

It is major to imply the joy the officers feel while getting away with such brutal acts and abusing their power as men of the law.

o Instrumentation

It has a typical rock band set up of guitar, bass, drums and vocals. As it is a punk song they use a lot of distortion and effects on the instruments.

o Rhythm & Meter (Time Signature)

o Structure (Verse, Chorus / A, B, etc.)

it has a simple verse chorus structure in order to make sure people remember the lyrics as punks usually attend riots and such.

o Historical impact and success of cause

It references an incident that happened in the 70s in Oakland, when some police officers were drinking on the job and taking advantage of being in a police truck on their shift.