This Land Is Your Land Analysis

Watching the film “Get Up Stand Up”, reminded me of just how important music is. It really can be a powerful voice for a cause or a movement. When I watched Woody Guthrie singing “This Land Is Your Land”, it reminded me of the whole debate about immigration today, and how this country is everybody’s land. Woody Guthrie, was singing back in the 60’s, he gave a voice to those who were frustrated with the policies of their government, but I could feel the same passion today that they felt. When he sings “This land was made for you and me”. It really hit home, and I felt like nothing could express that sentiment so potently beautifully as music.
I started wondering, with all the thousands and thousands of people across the country marching in
protest about that possible immigration ban, where are today’s singers like Woody Guthrie. I hear a lot of pop music on Pandora about dating, and romance, and partying, but where are the popular protest songs today. if I could have a bond and bring Woody back, he could have a sense with the protestors and help add that special melodic momentum to the movement. It would be great if one of today’s pop stars, like Justin Bieber or Fifth Harmony were to write an anthem about a new political movement. My family is originally from Asia. Even though my parents and sister lives here in this country, and I still have family overseas. I’ve seen how all of this has upsets us and it worries us about not being able to see how the rest of the family is, and this upsets me as well because I can’t imagine not being able to see my family, due to policies against my ethnicity. Moments like this I see how amazing it would be for a popular artist to write a political song.
There are artists who have recently released protest songs, to stand up against political corruption and injustice. These artists include Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, Emilio Estefan and Blood Orange. Knowing about these songs was unexpected because it seems that most popular music today, doesn’t have meaning. When Beyonce released “Freedom” featuring Kendrick Lamar, it felt that some was listening, thinking about current troubles. It made me feel that people who are struggling or concerned about the government are not alone.
As I watched Lady Gaga sing lines from “This Land is Your land”, a Guthrie classic, I felt moved.
She has picked up the anthem at a time it may even be more relevant than when it was written. Even though we know it’s a famous protest song and very political and even though Gaga was certainly aware of this, I think the fact that she used this technology like the drones, shows that she is taking songs from the past and renewing them for the 21st century.
Music being used to make a point doesn’t stop at renewing the old; musicians like Band Aid 30 are making new meaningful songs in the 21st century. The song,” Do they know it’s Christmas” helps raise the hearts of those who feel down, and brings a little light into the world. All people, myself included, can relate to music because it is something everyone can relate to, no matter who you are.
Songs like “Get up Stand up” help people heal and talk about respect. Respect means being nice to one another and caring for others, However before the activist Civil Rights Martin Luther King Jr., The laws with respect to African Americans were not respectful. Because people weren’t treated equally. For instance, the Montgomery Bus Boycotts were marches that held because black people had to sit at back of the bus, while white people could sit in the front. Struggle over civil rights are going on today. For instance racial profiling is a current issue, in which we are fighting for rights by standing up for own
rights.
The Song “We are the World” was a song featured in the film, that brought the talents of many recording artists together for a message. The Song impacted me deeply. IT had powerful lyrics about love and helping others. It inspires people to get out and help other in need. In particular it helped raise money for charities trying to stop poverty and disease in Africa. When the lyrics are catchy it helps others to listen to it even if it still have a powerful message. Musicians lead society, by addressing the problems of the day.
From “This Land Is Your Land” to “We are the World”, from “Get Up Stand Up” to “Do they Know its Christmas” music plays a vital role in social change. The song “This Land is Your Land” is even more powerful today, than when It premiered. Music has impacted civil rights issues for many years. “We Are the World”, written by Michael Jackson, was a song that moved many to contribute to charity. Indeed the music presented in the documentary film, “Get up, Stand Up” not only moved people in the world in past years, it also touched me today in the 21st century.