Song Meaning - Africa by Toto

Song: Rains of Africa
Band: Toto
Year:  1982
Source: Fren

Fact: The author of the song admits that this song was written with no particular  meaning \ story behind.

Summary: Its about the Author who wants to talk about a problem in the relationship with his person and knows for sure that it would end bad. 

I hear the drums echoing tonight
But she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation
She's coming in, 12:30 flight
The moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me towards salvation
I stopped an old man along the way
Hoping to find some long forgotten words or ancient melodies
He turned to me as if to say, "Hurry boy, it's waiting there for you"

Author foresees a stormy conversation coming up with his person.
His person does not suspect anything.
He seems to have realized on what needs to be done, yet
he goes seeking wisdom from the wise.
The wise guy states that time is the major factor to whatever his plan is.
It's gonna take a lot to take me away from you
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had

He is on his way to meet his person, aware of the aftermath of the
breakup that is impending and how he would have to push through it with everything that he has.
He makes some plans in the back of his mind to distract himself and to fill the void that is
going to be cast upon him once he leaves his person.
The wild dogs cry out in the night
As they grow restless, longing for some solitary company
I know that I must do what's right
As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti
I seek to cure what's deep inside, frightened of this thing that I've become

The lonely thoughts at night , the restlessness, the search he would need to perform
to discover himself again. Though painful, he feels it is necessary.
This is because like the Kilimanjaro the problem he feels he has with his person
needs to be addressed, like the Kilimanjaro casting its long shadow - so has this
problem cast a darkness on his relationship with the person.
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had

The herculean task of letting her go, he hopes that
time would heal and wash him of the pain like the rains that occur
after a long summer. 

Cover: Metal cover by Leo

Song meaning of "Pumped Up Kicks - Foster the People "

Song: Pumped Up Kicks.
Artist: Foster the People
Year: 2010
Source: Viral dance video to the dubstep version of this song by MARQUESE SCOTT
Trivia: Song gets pulled down from the radio or TV time to time when there is a school shooting.
Song Origin: The song was written to create awareness about gun control and teenage mental illness.

Summary: This is a sad song about a kid who is delusional and annoyed about the things happening in his life and wants to end it all by violent means.

School Shootings and Youth Mental Health

Lyrics:
Robert's got a quick hand
He'll look around the room, he won't tell you his plan
He's got a rolled cigarette, hanging out his mouth he's a cowboy kid
Yeah found a six shooter gun
In his dad's closet hidden oh in a box of fun things, I don't even know what
But he's coming for you, yeah he's coming for you

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You'd better run, better run, out run my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You'd better run, better run, out run my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet
 
Daddy works a long day
He be coming home late, he's coming home late
And he's bringing me a surprise
'Cause dinner's in the kitchen and it's packed in ice
I've waited for a long time
Yeah the slight of my hand is now a quick pull trigger
I reason with my cigarette
And say your hair's on fire, you must have lost your wits, yeah
 
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You'd better run, better run, out run my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You'd better run, better run, out run my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You'd better run, better run, out run my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You'd better run, better run, out run my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You'd better run, better run, out run my gun
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You'd better run, better run, faster than my bullet

Interpretation:

Not receiving enough attention \ care from his parents, he has become a loose cannon .
Trying to find peace or meaning for his life, he is unable to cope with the things around him.

He does not enjoy a good relation with his parents, they do not spend enough time with him. He neither has a good time at school. (Probably an outcast)

Scene from Sherlock TV series. In pic: Sherlock's sister in the background, Sherlock and redbeard.


His patience is wearing thin and burning out like a cigarette. With no one to talk to or to vent out his frustrations, his thoughts have become unhinged and in the process he picks up a gun and opens fire on all the other kids who he does not seem to like.

Screenshot from video:

Youtube video comment:

Dubstep Dance video:

Dubstep version of this song :

Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks (Butch Clancy Dubstep Remix) 

  

Parody:

 

15.7.18 Interpretation of "Somebody that I used to know" by Gotye

Song: Somebody that I used to know
Artist: Gotye
Year: 2011
Source: Key of Awesome
Trivia:This was the most streamed song of 2012 on the online music service, Spotify

Summary: Missing a person with whom things ended abruptly.

Lyrics:

Now and then I think of when we were together
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
Told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company
But that was love and it's an ache I still remember
You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness
Like resignation to the end, always the end
So when we found that we could not make sense
Well you said that we would still be friends
But I'll admit that I was glad that it was over
But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough
No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
But had me believing it was always something that I'd done
And I don't wanna live that way
Reading into every word you say
You said that you could let it go
And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know
But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough
No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Somebody, I used to know
(Somebody) Now you're just somebody that I used to know
Somebody, I used to know
(Somebody) Now you're just somebody that I used to know
I used to know, that I used to know, I used to know somebody

Interpretation:

Song starts with the guy remembering his relationship with a girl whom he thought he loved and could make it work. The girl was happier than him, there were problems in the relationship burdening him which he could not express  as he felt that her happiness is of more importance. He ended up  feeling lonely in her company. He still loved her despite her faults even though it hurt him. 

His goal was to get through each day , waiting & hoping that one day she realizes and changes her character while understanding his love and care for her and return the same back. In the end the problems outgrew his love and they decided to end it. 

After the breakup even though they agreed to stay as friends, she behaved like a stranger. All the time and all the things they had spoke to each other when they were in love has been invalidated now. 

All the time and effort and energy is lost forever. He is unable to express the pain he feels ie all of a sudden he is the stranger. (echoes throughout the song) 

She tells her side of the story, where the guy had not let go of his feeling for his old gf and how it affected the mood of the relationship. May be he was unconsciously comparing his relationship to her with his ex - gf and not seeing her as good as his x.

The guy now argues that it may be true up to an extent but the treatment which he is receiving from her after the breakup is totally uncalled for, as though "they" never existed. Now she is just a person that he used to know.

The filmmaker who made this video on a tiny budget talks about the meaning she has embedded in this music video.

Shots:

Cover:

Parody:

 

14.7.18 Interpretation of "Love Grows(where my Rosemary goes)" by Edison Lighthouse

Song: Love Grows(where my rosemary goes)
Artist: Edison Lighthouse
Year: 1970
Source: Random youtube playlist
Trivia: The guy in the music video is just an actor and not the lead singer


Lyrics:

She ain't got no money

Her clothes are kinda funny

Her hair is kinda wild and free

Oh, but Love grows where my Rosemary goes

And nobody knows like me

She talks kinda lazy

And people say she she's crazy

And her life's a mystery

Oh, but Love grows where my Rosemary goes

And nobody knows like me

There's something about her hand holding mine

It's a feeling that's fine

And I just gotta say

She's really got a magical spell

And it's working so well

That I can't get away

I'm a lucky fella

And I've just got to tell her

That I love her endlessly

Because Love grows where my Rosemary goes

And nobody knows like me

There's something about her hand holding mine

It's a feeling that's fine

And I just gotta say

She's really got a magical spell

And it's working so well

That I can't get away

I'm a lucky fella

And I've just got to tell her

That I love her endlessly

Because Love grows where my Rosemary goes

And nobody knows like me

It keeps growing every place she's been

And nobody knows like me

If you've met her, you'll never forget her

And nobody knows like me

La la la- believe it when you've seen it

Nobody knows like me

Interpretation:

Interpretation of the lyrics is straight forward. 

Song is about a person who is madly in love with a happy go lucky- wild girl (Rosemary is her name). He wishes to confess his love as he feels there is a connection between them.

This song reminded me of this series

 Dont trust the B- in APT 23: Krysten Ritter as Chloe, the eponymous . She is a hard-partying, irresponsible, freeloading, sexually adventurous con artist described as having "the morals of a pirate," 

Cover:

13.7.18 Interpretation of "Do you know what I mean" by Oasis

Song: Do you know what I mean
Artist: Oasis
Year: 1997
Source: Kannada TV program, that used to telecast 1 hr of english songs per week. (Really thankful for it)
Trivia: Wonderwall song by Oasis uses the same chords as this song. 

Summary: Getting up from your mind  of fear\hatred\laziness and acquiring what you think is yours.

Lyrics:

Step off the train all alone at dawn
Back into the hole where I was born
The sun in the sky never raised an eye to me
The blood on the trax and must be mine
The fool on the hill and I feel fine
Don't look back cos you know what you might see

Look into the wall of my mind's eye
I think I know, but I don't know why
The questions are the answers you might need
Coming in a mess going out in style
I ain't good-looking but I'm someone's child
No-one can give me the air that's mine to breathe

I met my maker
I made him cry
And on my shoulder he asked me why
His people won't fly through the storm
I said "Listen up man, they don't even know you're born"

All my people right here, right now
D'You Know What I Mean?
All my people right here, right now
D'You Know What I Mean?
All my people right here, right now
D'You Know What I Mean?
Yeah, yeah

I don't really care for what you believe
So open up your fist or you won't receive
The thoughts and the words of every man you'll need
Get up off the floor and believe in life
No-one's ever gonna ever ask you twice
Get on the bus and bring it on home to me 

Interpretation:

Step off the train all alone at dawn
Back into the hole where I was born
The sun in the sky never raised an eye to me
The blood on the trax and must be mine
The fool on the hill and I feel fine
Don't look back cos you know what you might see

Journeying into the mind to a place where you have
been before, that molded you. A place where nobody
bothers you , a secluded place. There are signs
of struggle from the past visits visible but now
being able to take on whatever would be thrown
on his way. There is no point in looking back
as all the things that has already happened is
in the back burner, that is required to proceed
further on a cleaner slate.
Look into the wall of my mind's eye
I think I know, but I don't know why
The questions are the answers you might need
Coming in a mess going out in style
I ain't good-looking but I'm someone's child
No-one can give me the air that's mine to breathe
The mind is awakened from deep slumber and there
are facts & tribulations to make sense off.
There are no many answers to the questions of
life but if you try hard enough to seek answers
to the questions- it is better to seek the work
that seems remotely close to the answer. This in turn
would solve the puzzle. Like all great problems
there exists an eligant and at most times simple
solutions.
The world will judge you anyway, all you can do is try
to be right by yourself. There are plenty of people
like you, for most of us nothing makes us special.
We are not owed anything by anyone, if we need something
as simple as the air or freedom to exercise your right
you need to fight for it and at time prove your worth it. 

I met my maker
I made him cry
And on my shoulder he asked me why
His people won't fly through the storm
I said "Listen up man, they don't even know you're born"
God or divine power looking down from above, would be
in shock and possibly sad by his creation i.e this world.
May be wondering how and why it all failed so miserably.
People do not even remember or know him, there is no faith.
Not just in God but people have lost faith in humanity
and resorted to become the majority of whom loot and plunder
may it be wealth or natural resources. All done for the
sole purpose of survival.

Laverna is the Roman goddess of thieves, con men, and rascals - basically anyone who succeeds through deceit. Read More on Taking what is not given

All my people right here, right now
D'You Know What I Mean?
All my people right here, right now
D'You Know What I Mean?
All my people right here, right now
D'You Know What I Mean?
Yeah, yeah

I don't really care for what you believe
So open up your fist or you won't receive
The thoughts and the words of every man you'll need
Get up off the floor and believe in life
No-one's ever gonna ever ask you twice
Get on the bus and bring it on home to me

It does not matter what your beliefs are we all come
from the same planet, uniting ourselves for a common
purpose is what is required of us. Giving up on our
differences and devoting ourselves to the greater common good
would help us all prosper. It is impossible to succeed without
the help of others, without the contributions of others in your
life. So awaken from your sleepy dream and make a difference in
other people's life. It is a request, if you stick to it it would
benefit you and your family and the world.

Shots:

Cover:

12.7.18 Interpretation of "Magnificent" By U2

Song: Magnificent
Artist: U2
Year: 2008
Source: TV
Trivia: Coldplay have regularly played the song prior to the band taking the stage at their concerts on the Viva la Vida Tour.


Summary:  A song about love and how powerful of a weapon it can be during trying times.


Lyrics:
Magnificent
Oh, oh, magnificent

I was born
I was born to be with you
In this space and time
After that and ever after I haven't had a clue
Only to break rhyme
This foolishness can leave a heart black and blue

Oh, oh
Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love can heal such a scar

I was born
I was born to sing for you
I didn't have a choice but to lift you up
And sing whatever song you wanted me to
I give you back my voice
From the womb my first cry, it was a joyful noise

Oh, oh
Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love can heal such a scar

Justified till we die, you and I will magnify, oh-oh
The Magnificent
Magnificent, oh, oh

Only love, only love can leave such a mark
But only love, only love unites our hearts
Justified till we die, you and I will magnify, oh-oh
The Magnificent
Magnificent
Magnificent 
Interpretation:
 
Love is everything, love precedes hatred. Love is the common thing which we share across boundaries and at times illogical. 

Being born in a specific time in a particular universe. Trying to piece things together may not pay off. Instead focusing on spreading love would benefit all. There might be paths that lead to hurt and unimaginable agony but that is just the preface. There is a hidden path that can be reached through love and kindness. This kindness or joy that is found at the end of this path is enough to heal the scars acquired along the way.

When born, we do not get to select our families or society. Call it fate or divine interference it does
not matter, as it is our job to spread love and help those who are hurt. Everything can be beautiful, it is in the eye of beholder, if everyone see things positively then the world would be in a better shape. Only through love we can uncover the true potential of humanity.

There is a possibility in the future where we live in a world where there is no pain and it is understood by all that we should be united in hearts and mind to be a happy civilization.
Imagine the children being born in this era, who would be all for the greatness of US rather I.

The song can also be interpreted as the author praising God. Song is said to be inspired by the prayer of Mary (mother of Jesus)

Shots from the video: 

 

Cover:

 

11.7.18 Interpretation of "Sail" by Awolnation

Song: Sail
Artist: Awolnation
Year: 2010
Source: 2012 film Disconnect
Trivia: It has spent the second longest time inside the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with 79 weeks, only surpassed by Imagine Dragons' "Radioactive".

Summary:
Song is about a person who is unable to express his heart out, it can also be taken in the context of a child not being able to fit into his environment such as school \ friends.

Lyrics:

This is how I show my love
I made it in my mind because
I blame it on my ADD baby

This is how an angel cries
Blame it on my own sick pride
Blame it on my ADD baby
Blame it on my AD

Sail!

Maybe I should cry for help
Maybe I should kill myself (myself)
Blame it on my ADD baby
Maybe I'm a different breed
Maybe I'm not listening
So blame it on my ADD baby

Sail!
Sail!
Sail!
Sail!
Sail
Sail!
Sail!
Sail!
Sail!

Sail with me into the dark (sail)
Sail with me into the dark (sail)
Sail with me into the

Blame it on my ADD baby
Blame it on my ADD
Blame it

La la la la la, la la la la la ooh
La la la la la, la la la la la ooh

Sail!
Sail!
Sail!

Sail with me into the dark
Sail with me into the dark (sail)
Sail with me (sail)
Sail with me into the dark (sail)
Sail with me into the dark (sail)
Sail with me into the dark (sail)
Sail with me sail with me (sail)
Sail with me into the dark (sail)
Sail with me into the dark (sail)
Sail with me into the dark (sail)
Sail with me sail with me (sail)
Sail with me into the dark (sail)
Sail with me into the dark (sail)
Sail with me into the dark (sail)
Sail with me sail with me (sail)

Interpretation:
This is how I show my love
I made it in my mind because
I blame it on my ADD baby

Apparently there has been some disturbance in the relationship(rel).
Where he is unable to express his love in a way she understands.
Expressing his love for her in his way, which is not the usual way is
proving difficult for the rel. He is aware of this and he is tempted
to blame it on his ADD and sail through.
This is how an angel cries
Blame it on my own sick pride
Blame it on my ADD baby
Blame it on my AD

Sail!


Maybe I should cry for help
Maybe I should kill myself (myself)
Blame it on my ADD baby
Maybe I'm a different breed
Maybe I'm not listening
So blame it on my ADD baby
He is having difficulty in communicating with the other person.
Though he is doing everything right by himself, he is ending up
hurting the other person. (The kind of thing that happens when
you are in rel with the wrong person.) In the end as she is hurt
even he is hurt deeply, the feeling of loneliness is being seen
making a move on him. He does not have pride but that is the way
the world sees him.

Being unable to express his thoughts and love like others is
tearing him up from the inside. He wants to see an easy way out
(suicide) He ponders what he is missing out or what he is not
doing right. Feeling left out, being the outcast or a foreigner
not knowing his origin and feeling left out from the herd,
he doesnt mind getting called out that he has ADD (which may
be an misunderstanding of him by the world)
by others

Sail!
Sail!
Sail with me into the dark
Sail with me into the dark (sail)
Sail with me (sail)

He has no intentions of leaving her, he wants her
to stay with him. Just like a sail that moves based on
external force. He wants her to control the sail
and guide him in the right path.
 
Shot from video:

Cover:

10.7.18 Interpretation of "Guantanamera" by The Sandpipers

Song:                  Guantanamera

Artist:                 Sandpipers (Originally belonged to The Weavers 1963)

Year:                   1966

Trivia:                 Noted patriotic song of Cuba

Source:               Old cassette titled "Mementoes"

Language:          Spanish

Summary: Be honest and do your part in saving the world by helping the poor.

Lyrics:

Yo soy un hombre sincero
De donde crece la palma
Y antes de morirme quiero
Echar mis versos del alma
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera
 

Mi verso es de un verde claro
Y de un carm? N encendido
Mi verso es un ciervo herido
Que busca en el monte amparo
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera
 

Cultivo una rosa blanca
En julio como en enero
Para el amigo sincero
Que me da su mano franca
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera
 

Con los pobres de la tierra
Quiero yo mi suerte echar
El arroyo de la sierra
Me complace m? S que el mar
Guantanamera, guajira Guantanamera

English Translation:

I am a truthful man,
From the land of the palm.
Before dying, I want to
Share these poems of my soul.

Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera
Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera

My verses are light green,
But they are also flaming red.
My verses are like a wounded fawn,
Seeking refuge in the mountain.

Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera
Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera

I cultivate a white rose
In June and in January
For the sincere friend
Who gives me his hand.

Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera
Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera

And for the cruel one who would tear out
This heart with which I live.
I cultivate neither thistles nor nettles
I cultivate a white rose.

Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera
Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera

I know about a fatal evil
Among the unspeakable shames:
The enslavement of human beings
Is the great shame of the world!

Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera
Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera

With the poor people of this earth,
I want to share my lot.
With the poor people of this earth,
I want to share my lot.
The little streams of the mountains
Please me more than the sea.

Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera
Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera

Interpretation:
I am a truthful man,
From the land of the palm.
Before dying, I want to
Share these poems of my soul.

Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera
Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera
Guantanamera from Guantánamo, feminine" indicating a woman from Guantánamo.

The person is from CUBA, where palm trees are abundant. He\She has lead a peaceful and truthful life. He wants to convey the beauty of life with his poems.
 
My verses are light green,
But they are also flaming red.
My verses are like a wounded fawn,
Seeking refuge in the mountain.
His thoughts\ideas are peaceful and some of them are wild. Few are lost and disproved, which are seeking refuge and he is helping them rebuild , providing all the necessary time and effort that is required to renovate it.

Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera
Guantanamera, guajira guantanamera

I cultivate a white rose
In June and in January
For the sincere friend
Who gives me his hand.


And for the cruel one who would tear out
This heart with which I live.
I cultivate neither thistles nor nettles
I cultivate a white rose.
Friendship he offers is pure, it takes time to cultivate true friendship but and would take a lot to break it. He strongly believes in returning good for bad. In hope that bad can be defeated by good.
 
I know about a fatal evil
Among the unspeakable shames:
The enslavement of human beings
Is the great shame of the world!

With the poor people of this earth,
I want to share my lot.
With the poor people of this earth,
I want to share my lot.
The little streams of the mountains
Please me more than the sea.

He regrets not able to do much about the evil that exists in the world. Terrible things that happen to good and innocent people should be prevented. Sadly we are very far from a peaceful world, which is of great shame to us humans.

He wants to share whatever he has left from his life to the poor people. Wanting to do everything possible from his end to make the lives of the poor\suffering a little better. Seeking pleasure in the small joys of life rather than the multitude of wealth.

Cover:

References:

Song played in the background in the God Father movie. 

Common chant in football "One David Beckham" or One "Insert name of player here"