Social Relevance

"One" - Metallica

--> This song has social relevance because it talks about war, and it's effects on the men who are sent out to battle, and come back, both mentally and physically scarred and maimed. This particular soldier comes back from war all broken up and he has limbs and necesarry functions, such as hearing and eyesight taken from him as mortar shells bombed him from the sky and enemy positions. He, up until he begins to regain consciousness and realize that he is in a hospital, and he is only being kept alive because he is hooked up to many machines that help him breath, and relieve him of any fecal matter or bodily fluids. He wishes to be dead himself, but no one will grant him this pleasure, and now he is stuck in a quazi-real consciousness; as to what he perceives to be real is completely up to him, because he does not really know what he can trust to be real, and he sometimes he has flashbacks that reappear as he is in this drug-induced haze. "Now that the war is through me, I'm waking up I cannot see." He is describing his misfortune as a result of being thrown away by the way, and since he can no longer fight, the war has no more use of him.



"Critical Acclaim" - Avenged Sevenfold (A7X)

--> This has social relevance because it is about how people critisize what the country does, mainly the militant actions that go on on a day-to-day basis. Just because someone else has to go and fight our war and keep the civilians safe and out of harms way, it certainly does not give the green light to mock and critisize what goes on to keep the peace (in the singer's point of view). He feels that the person who is being referred to is living a lifestyle that goes against what he says, much like a hypocrite to what he says and preeches.



"The Trooper" Iron Maiden

--> This has social relevance because it is about the Crimean Wars, between the French and British, and the Russians between 1854-1856. The British issued a charge, later named the "Charge of the Light Brigade." This dispute was about who was to own what on some hole ground, namely Jerusalem and Nazareth. They talk of horses, muskets, and bayonets being used, so it makes the most logical sense. It depicts how religion, and heated discussions can lead to war, and most certasinly, death.

The World in Six Songs - Examples of Three out of the Six

1. Friendship: Life Starts Now; Three Days Grace & You're My Best Friend; Queen

--> This is an example of friedship because the speaker shows that he cares, and he says that he feels sorry for how life has been cruel to this person, and that he will "pick them up" from the state this said person is in. The speaker shows genuine sympathy for the person, and wants to help out as much as possible.


--> This is an example of friendship because the speaker describes how and why this girl is his best friend; not only are they best friends, but they're in love as well, because they are so close. He expresses in words how she makes him feel; and she makes him feel very good, and happy, so he never wants to be apart from her.

2. Joy: She's So High; Tal Bachman & Think About You; Guns N' Roses

--> This song is an example of joy because the speaker voices how "goddess-like" the girl he is describing appears to him, but how he never thought that anything would happen between them. This is, however, proven wrong, and pleases the speaker to no end, seeing as he is deeply in love with her, in all aspects.


--> This is an example of joy because the singer expresses all the feelings that he and this woman shared, and how he was happy the entire the time. He feels alive and like a person when even simply thinking about her, and especially when he was with her, because his feelings for her were so strong.


3. Comfort: Dr. Feelgood; Mötley Crüe & Never Too Late; Three Days Grace

--> This is an example of comfort because, even in the title of the song, you get the "feel good" vibe. The song is about how this guy, Jigsaw Jimmy, runs a town and makes his people "feel good." He isn't exactly a good-looking guy, but he does know how to run a town, and any business he has running. All in all, the title and the lyrics put you in a good mood.


--> This is an example of comfort because he explains that things can and will get better if they both work together to improve their situation, and that he is there to support her. He realizes throughout the song that he needs to be more than he is to her in order to make this work, and keep her from leaving, not only him, but life as they both know it.