Analysis Of The American Dream In The Great Gatsby

The American Dream is the sole idealization that is found in the Great Gatsby. Obtaining wealth in America comes from the idea that hard work would lead to prosperity and the simple pursuit of happiness. F. Scott Fitzgerald has revealed through the Great Gatsby that the American Dream is a popularized misconception when comparing old wealth and new wealth. The song “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got)” by Fergie, GoonRock, & Q-Top discloses the realization of the American Dream and how it has been spoiled by the ignorance of social class vs wealth. Beginning with the title, which is a reference to Duke Ellington’s “It don’t mean a thing (if it ain’t got that swing)”, displays the lack of caution with partying in the Roaring 20s.
The term “(blank) never killed nobody” is often used on noun or verb to indicate the extent on how it is not dangerous. The title refers to the setting of Gatsby’s wild parties that he throws every weekend that everyone attends no matter the social class or wealth. Yet, with wealth, the amount of ignorance leads up to how the American Dream is an illusion. Most of the attendees of Gatsby’s party are new money and displayed a lack in social graces which is an unknown factor that is tied in the to reality of the American Dream. Verse 1 and the hook with Fergie in the song is in the perspective of one of the wealthy guest at Gatsby’s party.
Those type of guest are shown to live in the moment and have concern about consequence at a later time. This, again, reveals the lack of social graces that is tied in with the American Dream. Jay Gatsby himself is a perfect example of the true reality of the American Dream. His social class is lower than his displayed wealth which was revealed when he was hanging out with the Sloanes’. The use of the song in the movie emphasizes the amount of vulgarness exposed in the guests of the party when they are seen jumping into the swimming pool and excessive
dancing. Q-Tip’s verse digs deeper into the personality of the American Dream and hints about Gatsby. During this time in the movie and book, Gatsby’s identity and intentions are hidden. “They got drinks in their hands and the room’s a bust, at the and of the night maybe you’ll find love” references to how the amount of alcohol consumed often leads the advancement of relationship when your conscience is intoxicated. The line can also reference to how the true meaning of Gatsby’s parties is to reunite with Daisy which is revealed to be the person that he loves. “Fake chit chat ‘bout the things they got” references to the conversations between the wealthy on their materialistic items that display their prosperity on a social level. The conversations that happen in the parties are artificial and only have use to bragging rights on who has more wealth. As humble as the American Dream seemed, the actuality revealed a more egotistical truth. Fergie’s 3rd verse used quite a bit of slang that was common in the 20s’. “Hotsy-totsy”,”breezy”, “speakeasy” and “bee’s knees” were terms that were often found around the Great Gatsby's time period. The verse sums up the liveliness of Gatsby’s party with people getting loud, paparazzi, and soon coming prohibition with speakeasies. With Fergie’s bridge, it directly references to “It don’t mean a thing (if it ain’t got that swing)” by Duke Ellington who made the song a jazz hit in the 30s’. Duke Ellington became of a form of the American Dream through the Harlem Renaissance as he became a famous jazz artist and legend. The bridge displays the distrust with the “heart” and how the American Dream during the time was filled with doubt from the spoils of the excessive partying with maximum wealth but lack of social class. “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got)” camouflages the authenticity of the American Dream when comparing social class to wealth and how wealth spoils the values of dreamers.

Article 1: ““A Little Party Never Killed Nobody,” performed mainly by Fergie, electronic blasts and an undulating party beat slither forward with only minimal nods to ’20s instruments. These types of moments are used to great effect in the film, tilting the Jazz-Pop combination toward the contemporary side in order to convey the feel and atmosphere of the scene.”

The Fergie song shown in the film, The Great Gatsby, the author compliments on the how the song placed a unique effect in the film with how the beat hinted at the instruments that were used in the 20’s with indications of jazz and our modern style of pop.
The beginning of the song leans towards jazz with instruments used such as the saxophone, but as the song progresses, there is an electronic-pop mixed to create a modern feel to the film to fit the party scene. Our style of music compared to the 20s’ is distinct, the song had the ability to still reference the classics that fit the time period of the film but also display present-day
art.

Article 2: “Music is supposed to transport us into a different time and place — and listening to Fergie makes you think of being dragged to sad old clubs by your sad new single friends.”

The author of the article places a standard on the new soundtrack on the Great Gatsby. They emphasize on how listening to “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody” by Fergie is comparable to a depressing experience. The standard that the author placed on the song does not give the song itself a chance to create a new feel to the film. The film establish a different setting by time period but was made in moderation which makes sense to how the song incorporates our present-day music.