This is a video I made on my view of the song "Signs" by Tesla.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Reply to previous post comments # 2
why do you think keep mother nature in refers to actual trees and beauty? It could possibly be a building that is beautiful or a landmark.......where do you think he really is standing outside of?
The reason I think that Mother nature refers to actual trees and beauty is because earth's nature is natural, usually created by earth itself. Buildings and landmarks are mostly man-made, nature or earth did not make them. I think he is really standing outside of a private residential house where the owner strongly appreciates privacy mostly because in the verse he says, "So I jumped the fence and yelled at the house."
If the sign says you'll be shot if your seen in sight do you think do you think it is governmental? Or a private estate? If they'll be shot it must be something important!
I don't think that it is a governmental estate but more of a private estate because of when he says "... and yelled at the house." I feel it is more a private estate because most governmental estates aren't referred to as houses. I'm not sure if, they'll be shot, refers to something important rather it just shows the craziness of some private home owners. I think that crazy is from people's fear of being robbed or their property tampered with.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Meaning in Context
The Second verse is as follows:
And the sign says "Anybody caught trespassing will be shot on sight"
So I jumped the fence and I yelled at the house, Hey! What gives you the right
To put up a fence And keep me out Or to keep Mother Nature in
If God was here He'd tell it to your face Man You're some kind of sinner
My Argument is that is the meaning of the word "sign" agrees in this verse to it's meaning in the other verses. It refers to a rule or regulation as to how to live your life, it becomes more of a symbol of ownership and discrimination. Every time I see a building with a fence around it and a sign saying no trespassing, I think to myself why are certain people allowed in certain places on earth and some people are not? Wasn't earth created for all humans? Isn't the U.S. about freedom and being able to do what you want, where you want? Apparently not because all over the U.S. different areas have restrictions on them as to who is allowed in and out. Included in the American dream is the desire to own your own property. People buy land and do whatever they want with it. They can control who is allowed to be on the property and who isn't.
In the first line, "And the sign says "Anybody caught trespassing with be shot on sight," I find it crazy to think that the punishment of simply walking on ground that someone has paid money for is death. Is a piece of land worth more than a humans life? I don't think so and it seems neither does the narrator considering what he said in the rest of the verse. When the narrator says "to but up a fence and keep me out or to keep Mother Nature in," I feel that keep me out, refers to groups of certain people or a form of discrimination and to keep Mother Nature in, refers to trees, plants, and beautiful landscape that is guarded by a fence or a wall, separated from the rest of the world. It seems almost selfish, using a fence or a wall to keep other Americans from enjoying the earth's natural qualities.
In the last line, "If God was here he'd tell it to your face man you're some kind of sinner," I think the narrator criticizes the owner of the house of being crazy, discriminating, and selfish, so much that God who loves every human, would consider him to be a sinner.
And the sign says "Anybody caught trespassing will be shot on sight"
So I jumped the fence and I yelled at the house, Hey! What gives you the right
To put up a fence And keep me out Or to keep Mother Nature in
If God was here He'd tell it to your face Man You're some kind of sinner
My Argument is that is the meaning of the word "sign" agrees in this verse to it's meaning in the other verses. It refers to a rule or regulation as to how to live your life, it becomes more of a symbol of ownership and discrimination. Every time I see a building with a fence around it and a sign saying no trespassing, I think to myself why are certain people allowed in certain places on earth and some people are not? Wasn't earth created for all humans? Isn't the U.S. about freedom and being able to do what you want, where you want? Apparently not because all over the U.S. different areas have restrictions on them as to who is allowed in and out. Included in the American dream is the desire to own your own property. People buy land and do whatever they want with it. They can control who is allowed to be on the property and who isn't.
In the first line, "And the sign says "Anybody caught trespassing with be shot on sight," I find it crazy to think that the punishment of simply walking on ground that someone has paid money for is death. Is a piece of land worth more than a humans life? I don't think so and it seems neither does the narrator considering what he said in the rest of the verse. When the narrator says "to but up a fence and keep me out or to keep Mother Nature in," I feel that keep me out, refers to groups of certain people or a form of discrimination and to keep Mother Nature in, refers to trees, plants, and beautiful landscape that is guarded by a fence or a wall, separated from the rest of the world. It seems almost selfish, using a fence or a wall to keep other Americans from enjoying the earth's natural qualities.
In the last line, "If God was here he'd tell it to your face man you're some kind of sinner," I think the narrator criticizes the owner of the house of being crazy, discriminating, and selfish, so much that God who loves every human, would consider him to be a sinner.
Monday, November 10, 2008
The Chorus in Context
The chorus is as follows:
Signs Signs
Everywhere there's signs
Fucking up the scenery
Breaking my mind
Do this, don't do that
Can't you read the sign
My argument is that the narrator feels signs are all around us in our society. The main word in the chorus is "signs," but what does he mean by signs? signs tell us what to do they control our lives and take away Signs are things we see that control our everyday actions? He says everywhere there's signs. For example street signs, billboards, restaurant signs, the list could go on and on. These from our freedom. They can also be seen as taking away from natural scenery because they are found everywhere. they can be found on the streets, billboards, buildings, private property, landmarks.
A dictionary definition states a sign is:
| "a notice, bearing a name, direction, warning, or advertisement, that is displayed or posted for public view: a traffic sign; a store sign." (dictionary) Certain signs restrict us from doing what we want in our everyday lives. There are penalties if you don't follow the signs. Examples of this are if you blow through a red light or stop sign you will get a ticket. Other signs include not hiring sign on a business. This restricts you from getting a job. Or a common one is private property "do not trespass" When we see signs like this we always want to do the opposite but know we can't. This chorus relates back to the first stanza because the man saw a hiring sign saying "long haired freaky people need not apply." he is saying signs like these keep us form doing what we want. They place restrictions and rules on our lives. This makes us conform to them to avoid the penalties. He's saying why must everyone conform and become a stereotype. The last line says "can't you read the sign" this makes it like he's saying someone is saying this. It is something we are questioned often in our life. He is sick of all the signs and their purposes. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/signs |
Repy to previous post comments
Do you think the narrator keeps the job? Would his "deception" have angered the employer causing him to fire the narrator? Or do you think the narrator did it as a lark and didn't want the job, and did it just to annoy the guy and/or shake up the guy's opinions of people?
To repy to the following questions, I would say no the narrator most likey doesn't keep the job. Whether or not the employer became angered wouldn't play a factor in him keeping the job. I believe he just did the stunt to prove a point and change the employers opinion. If by chance the narrator did want to keep the job I think the employer would keep him because despite being embarrased by the stunt, it would be more embarrasing to fire him for it.
Do u think this is an experience of the writer of the song and hes trying to send the message that you can't always judge people by their appearance?
To repy to the following question, I would say yes, the meaning behind the song could possible come from a personal experience of the writers.
Do you believe there is truth in what he says? Do you think this happens with males who have long hair, or is this more of an isolated event?
To repy to the following question, I would say yes, I do believe there is truth in what he says in that I believe that you should not be judged on appearance. I know of perfect examples of people being judged by their appearance istead of their true self. My uncle is a big biker guy with long hair and a long beard. He owns a repo company and makes very good money however chooses to dress in cheap and dirty clothes. He walked into the caddilac dealer and told the lady he would like to buy a new car that day. She looked at him and told him she would need to speak to the owner. The owner then came up and saw him and said, Oh Mr. Wright we will get you whatever you want as soon as possible. Then my uncle looked at the lady, smiled and said you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Don't think this only happens to males with long hair, I think it happens to most people who have a more radical sense of style and have an appearance that would be considered different than normal.
To repy to the following questions, I would say no the narrator most likey doesn't keep the job. Whether or not the employer became angered wouldn't play a factor in him keeping the job. I believe he just did the stunt to prove a point and change the employers opinion. If by chance the narrator did want to keep the job I think the employer would keep him because despite being embarrased by the stunt, it would be more embarrasing to fire him for it.
Do u think this is an experience of the writer of the song and hes trying to send the message that you can't always judge people by their appearance?
To repy to the following question, I would say yes, the meaning behind the song could possible come from a personal experience of the writers.
Do you believe there is truth in what he says? Do you think this happens with males who have long hair, or is this more of an isolated event?
To repy to the following question, I would say yes, I do believe there is truth in what he says in that I believe that you should not be judged on appearance. I know of perfect examples of people being judged by their appearance istead of their true self. My uncle is a big biker guy with long hair and a long beard. He owns a repo company and makes very good money however chooses to dress in cheap and dirty clothes. He walked into the caddilac dealer and told the lady he would like to buy a new car that day. She looked at him and told him she would need to speak to the owner. The owner then came up and saw him and said, Oh Mr. Wright we will get you whatever you want as soon as possible. Then my uncle looked at the lady, smiled and said you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Don't think this only happens to males with long hair, I think it happens to most people who have a more radical sense of style and have an appearance that would be considered different than normal.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Religious Views in Context
The fourth verse is as follows:
And the sign says “Everybody welcome, come in, kneel down and pray”
But then they passed around a plate at the end of it all
And I didn’t have a penny to pay
So I got me a pen and a paper and I made up my own fuckin’ sign
I said, “Thank you Lord for thinking ‘bout me, I’m alive and doing fine,” oh
My argument is that the meaning behind the fourth verse of lyrics has to deal with religious views. The character reads a sign in front of the church that reads, “Everybody welcome, come in, kneel down and pray.” He finally finds a sign that lacks social status or stereotyping and applies to everyone. However in the second and third line of the song, “But then they passed around a plate at the end of it all,” “And I didn’t have a penny to pay,” he finds something socially unequal. Apparently in a place that everyone is welcome; some people are still opted to give money. Not saying that it is bad for people to give money to the church, just that it makes the people with less money feel bad for not being able to contribute. Wealthier people are able to share their wealth and make big donations, whereas people without money aren’t able to contribute as much and receive the donation credit from the church. I personally feel that even though some people may feel like this, in reality they shouldn’t because in God’s eyes he loves them even though they may not make a donation. As long as they love God and the church then financial donations do not matter.
In the last line, “So I got me a pen and a paper and I made up my own fuckin’ sign,” “I said, “Thank you Lord for thinking ‘bout me, I’m alive and doing fine,” oh; it is the characters answer to the issue of whether or not contributing to the church makes you better in God’s eyes. He uses his message as his donation to the church. Instead of using money to thank God’s presence in his life he uses his own words.
And the sign says “Everybody welcome, come in, kneel down and pray”
But then they passed around a plate at the end of it all
And I didn’t have a penny to pay
So I got me a pen and a paper and I made up my own fuckin’ sign
I said, “Thank you Lord for thinking ‘bout me, I’m alive and doing fine,” oh
My argument is that the meaning behind the fourth verse of lyrics has to deal with religious views. The character reads a sign in front of the church that reads, “Everybody welcome, come in, kneel down and pray.” He finally finds a sign that lacks social status or stereotyping and applies to everyone. However in the second and third line of the song, “But then they passed around a plate at the end of it all,” “And I didn’t have a penny to pay,” he finds something socially unequal. Apparently in a place that everyone is welcome; some people are still opted to give money. Not saying that it is bad for people to give money to the church, just that it makes the people with less money feel bad for not being able to contribute. Wealthier people are able to share their wealth and make big donations, whereas people without money aren’t able to contribute as much and receive the donation credit from the church. I personally feel that even though some people may feel like this, in reality they shouldn’t because in God’s eyes he loves them even though they may not make a donation. As long as they love God and the church then financial donations do not matter.
In the last line, “So I got me a pen and a paper and I made up my own fuckin’ sign,” “I said, “Thank you Lord for thinking ‘bout me, I’m alive and doing fine,” oh; it is the characters answer to the issue of whether or not contributing to the church makes you better in God’s eyes. He uses his message as his donation to the church. Instead of using money to thank God’s presence in his life he uses his own words.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Social Stereotypes in context
The first verse is as follows:
And the sign says "Long-haired freaky people need not apply"
So I put my hair up under my hat and I went in to ask him why
He said you look like a fine outstanding young man, I think you'll do
So I took off my hat, I said "Imagine that, huh, me working for you"
My arugment is that the meaning behind the first verse of lyrics has to deal social stereotypes. American society has set a sort of standard or norm for americans to look or act. People who break off from that norm are looked as different or wierd. America being the country of freedom and self expression shouldn't be based on standard or norm. In the first line, "and the sign says "Long-haired freaky people need not apply," its tells that long-haired males are considered as "freaky people" or not normal in society. The rest of the line, "need not apply," referes to applying for a job. Basicly saying that people considered freaky or not normal in society are not capable of being an employee of a company.
In the second and third lines, "So I put my hair up under my hat and I went in to ask him why" and "He said you look like a fine outstanding young man, I think you'll do," the narrator shows how the character conforms to society to get a reaction from the employer. Just as he assumes, because he conforms to the norm and receives the job.
Finally in the last line, "So I took off my hat, I said "Imagine that, huh, me working for you," the character shows to the employer stereotypes can't be a valid reason for hiring a person or excepting a person as a good employee. The employer was fine with the character until he showed his long hair, viewed as freaky or weird. This just proves that people shouldn't have stereotypes, how someone looks on the outside doesn't determine what they are like on the inside.
And the sign says "Long-haired freaky people need not apply"
So I put my hair up under my hat and I went in to ask him why
He said you look like a fine outstanding young man, I think you'll do
So I took off my hat, I said "Imagine that, huh, me working for you"
My arugment is that the meaning behind the first verse of lyrics has to deal social stereotypes. American society has set a sort of standard or norm for americans to look or act. People who break off from that norm are looked as different or wierd. America being the country of freedom and self expression shouldn't be based on standard or norm. In the first line, "and the sign says "Long-haired freaky people need not apply," its tells that long-haired males are considered as "freaky people" or not normal in society. The rest of the line, "need not apply," referes to applying for a job. Basicly saying that people considered freaky or not normal in society are not capable of being an employee of a company.
In the second and third lines, "So I put my hair up under my hat and I went in to ask him why" and "He said you look like a fine outstanding young man, I think you'll do," the narrator shows how the character conforms to society to get a reaction from the employer. Just as he assumes, because he conforms to the norm and receives the job.
Finally in the last line, "So I took off my hat, I said "Imagine that, huh, me working for you," the character shows to the employer stereotypes can't be a valid reason for hiring a person or excepting a person as a good employee. The employer was fine with the character until he showed his long hair, viewed as freaky or weird. This just proves that people shouldn't have stereotypes, how someone looks on the outside doesn't determine what they are like on the inside.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Purpose of Blog
This blog is a student run project to delve into "Signs" written by Les Emmerson and sung by Tesla. The posts that follow will contain a textual and contextual analysis of the lyrics, the writer’s word choice, how the music emphasizes certain lyrics, and how those lyrics function in the world.
I am particularly interested in seeing what responses, memories and feelings these lyrics evoke in myself as I continue to peel back the layers of meaning. And less interested in interviews given by the artist on the lyrics, although I may include some of those later on in my project.
Later, this blog will also feature an analysis of the official music video associated with the song.
Lyrics "Signs"
Signs Lyrics
Artist: Tesla
Songwriter: Les Emmerson
And the sign says "long hair freaky people need not apply"
So I tucked my hair under my hat and I went in to ask him why
He said you look like a fine outstanding young man I think you'll do
So I took off my hat I said "Imagine that Huh Me working for you"
Signs Signs
Everywhere there's signs
Fucking up the scenery
Breaking my mind
Do this, don't do that
Can't you read the sign
And the sign says "Anybody caught trespassing will be shot on sight"
So I jumped the fence and I yelled at the house, Hey! What gives you the right
To put up a fence And keep me out Or to keep Mother Nature in
If God was here He'd tell it to your face Man You're some kind of sinner
Signs Signs
Everywhere there's signs
Fucking up the scenery
Breaking my mind
Do this, don't do that
Can't you read the sign
Oh Say now mister Can't you read
You got to have a shirt and tie to get a seat
You can't watch No You can't eat You ain't supposed to be here
And the sign says "You got to have a membership card to get inside" Huh
And the sign says "Everybody welcome Come in Kneel down and pray"
But then they passed around a plate at the end of it all
And I didn't have a penny to pay
So I got me a pen and paper And I made up my own fuckin' sign
I said Thank you Lord for thinking about me I'm alive and doing fine
Signs Signs
Everywhere there's signs
Fucking up the scenery
Breaking my mind
Do this, don't do that
Can't you read the sign
Signs Signs
Everywhere there's signs
Fucking up the scenery
Breaking my mind
Do this, don't do that
Can't you read the sign
So I tucked my hair under my hat and I went in to ask him why
He said you look like a fine outstanding young man I think you'll do
So I took off my hat I said "Imagine that Huh Me working for you"
Signs Signs
Everywhere there's signs
Fucking up the scenery
Breaking my mind
Do this, don't do that
Can't you read the sign
And the sign says "Anybody caught trespassing will be shot on sight"
So I jumped the fence and I yelled at the house, Hey! What gives you the right
To put up a fence And keep me out Or to keep Mother Nature in
If God was here He'd tell it to your face Man You're some kind of sinner
Signs Signs
Everywhere there's signs
Fucking up the scenery
Breaking my mind
Do this, don't do that
Can't you read the sign
Oh Say now mister Can't you read
You got to have a shirt and tie to get a seat
You can't watch No You can't eat You ain't supposed to be here
And the sign says "You got to have a membership card to get inside" Huh
And the sign says "Everybody welcome Come in Kneel down and pray"
But then they passed around a plate at the end of it all
And I didn't have a penny to pay
So I got me a pen and paper And I made up my own fuckin' sign
I said Thank you Lord for thinking about me I'm alive and doing fine
Signs Signs
Everywhere there's signs
Fucking up the scenery
Breaking my mind
Do this, don't do that
Can't you read the sign
Signs Signs
Everywhere there's signs
Fucking up the scenery
Breaking my mind
Do this, don't do that
Can't you read the sign
http://www.stlyrics.com/songs/t/tesla10839/signs346252.html
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