Believe - Benjamin Booker
I am in a serious soulful kick, and "Believe" is probably the bluesiest and most passionate head nodding I've come across in a while. Off of Booker's recent release, Witness, "Believe" continues Booker's plight of social justice and adherence with the Black Lives Matter movement that is found on Witness, which is evident not only in the songs themselves but in the accompanying essay, "WITNESS," that is a recollection of Booker's experiences with racism and injustices.
The lyrics convey the theme, the position and difficulties that oppressed and marginalized individuals have to attempt to overcome, and are forced to endure with their only fault being that they were born. "Born to nothing/all the people bring you down, boy" specifically adheres to this notion of the beaten-down, and emphasizes the idea that life is going to be an up-hill battle. Booker later sings, "I just want to believe in something...I cannot make it on my own" to show that with odds against someone, they just want a glimmer of hope to motivate his or herself. People are unjustly scrutinized and forced into the context of a minority not because it's natural but because it has been inflicted upon them by others, making it nearly impossible to emancipate themselves from such hardships.
Booker is speaking for such individuals, and himself, who has felt similar difficulties, and is wishing to promulgate the idea of speaking out rather than being a bystander. In "WITNESS," Booker closes the essay by saying "am I going to be a witness?" in today's world, "is that enough?"" One can infer that no, it is not enough to be solely a witness.
The way Booker organizes the instruments and vocalizes the evocative lyrics of the song is similar to an anthem that is emotional uplifting and powerful, as if to say 'that yeah things are tough, but they will get better if we come together,' "and the things stacked in your way/seem to slowly melt away." Booker's raspy and soulful voice contrasts the precision and clean cadence of the drums, guitars, violins, and other string instruments in a way that can exemplify the voice of the proletariat, the common individual, reaching out and coming together with his or her contemporaries to achieve a beautiful future.
Talk about power to the people. This song is incredible and extremely impactful and relevant to the point that I feel those unsure as to what the Black Lives Matter movement is trying to achieve, should give "Believe," and Witness a listen, it may clarify a few things.
The lyrics convey the theme, the position and difficulties that oppressed and marginalized individuals have to attempt to overcome, and are forced to endure with their only fault being that they were born. "Born to nothing/all the people bring you down, boy" specifically adheres to this notion of the beaten-down, and emphasizes the idea that life is going to be an up-hill battle. Booker later sings, "I just want to believe in something...I cannot make it on my own" to show that with odds against someone, they just want a glimmer of hope to motivate his or herself. People are unjustly scrutinized and forced into the context of a minority not because it's natural but because it has been inflicted upon them by others, making it nearly impossible to emancipate themselves from such hardships.
Booker is speaking for such individuals, and himself, who has felt similar difficulties, and is wishing to promulgate the idea of speaking out rather than being a bystander. In "WITNESS," Booker closes the essay by saying "am I going to be a witness?" in today's world, "is that enough?"" One can infer that no, it is not enough to be solely a witness.
The way Booker organizes the instruments and vocalizes the evocative lyrics of the song is similar to an anthem that is emotional uplifting and powerful, as if to say 'that yeah things are tough, but they will get better if we come together,' "and the things stacked in your way/seem to slowly melt away." Booker's raspy and soulful voice contrasts the precision and clean cadence of the drums, guitars, violins, and other string instruments in a way that can exemplify the voice of the proletariat, the common individual, reaching out and coming together with his or her contemporaries to achieve a beautiful future.
Talk about power to the people. This song is incredible and extremely impactful and relevant to the point that I feel those unsure as to what the Black Lives Matter movement is trying to achieve, should give "Believe," and Witness a listen, it may clarify a few things.
Comments
Post a Comment